e21731 Background: Over the last decade six different immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have obtained approval in 42 tumor types, several of them are indeed competing for the same indication and there is a lack of direct comparative data to guide the medical oncologist. Network meta-analysis (NMA) is a technique developed as an extension of pairwise meta-analysis to allow comparisons of multiple treatments, using both direct and indirect evidence. This NMA evaluates the effectiveness of several ICIs, either in combination or as single agents, as frontline therapy for patients with advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: We conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCT) through Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Central register of Controlled trial databases, Clinicaltrial.gov database and ASCO abstracts (up to June 2019), to identify phase III RCTs on advanced non-squamous NSCLC in the first-line setting. Both the search and study screening were performed for two independent reviewers. NMA of survival outcomes in different subsets of PD-L1 expression groups was performed and ICIs indirect comparisons were performed. Results: 6 RCTs with 5860 patients were included for the NMA. ICIs were evaluated in combination with several chemotherapy regimens and in the case of Nivolumab in combination with ipilimumab. Atezolizumab was evaluated in one of the RCTs in combination with chemotherapy and bevacizumab. Both Pembrolizumab and Nivolumab were evaluated as monotherapy, either in a separate treatment arms within a trial or in a separate trial. Overall ICI in combination improved survival across PD-L1 expression level subgroups compared with chemotherapy (platinum doublets +/- bevacizumab). Indirect comparisons of ICIs in combination therapy for first-line treatment in advanced non-squamous NSCLC showed little evidence of differences between pembrolizumab or atezolizumab in combination with chemotherapy and nivolumab/ipilimumab. Evaluated as monotherapy pembrolizumab seems to have more evidence of effectiveness than nivolumab. Conclusions: ICIs in combination therapy improve survival in previously untreated advanced NSCLC across PD-L1 expression levels compared with standard first line chemotherapy regimens. There is little evidence of survival difference between pembrolizumab and atezolizumab in combination, and nivolumab requires a combination with ipilimumab to reach similar levels of effectiveness.
Addition of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors to Chemotherapy vs Chemotherapy Alone as First-Line Treatment in Extensive-Stage Small-Cell Lung Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
