Comparative Effectiveness of Nivolumab and Ipilimumab Plus Chemotherapy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Strategic Insights -

A recent study published in Clinical Lung Cancer has investigated the real-world treatment response and outcomes of first-line nivolumab and ipilimumab plus chemotherapy (NIC) versus pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy (PC) in patients with PD-L1 negative metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC). The study, conducted at the St. Antonius Hospital in Utrecht, Netherlands, compared the treatment response and real-world outcomes of NIC with the current standard of care PC in PD-L1 negative mNSCLC patients treated in clinical practice. The results suggest that larger cohorts with longer follow-up periods are needed to further establish the role of NIC in PD-L1 negative patients.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study assessed the real-world early treatment response of NIC (n = 58) versus PC (n = 60) in mNSCLC patients with PD-L1 negative tumors.
  • The research concluded that larger cohorts with longer follow-up periods and overall survival endpoints are needed to further establish the role of NIC in PD-L1 negative patients.
  • The study found that the combination of nivolumab, ipilimumab, and chemotherapy (NIC) became available for the treatment of mNSCLC patients, introducing a new treatment option.
  • The study compared the treatment response and real-world outcomes of NIC with the current standard of care PC in PD-L1 negative mNSCLC patients treated in clinical practice.
  • The study's results suggest that NIC may have a role in the treatment of PD-L1 negative mNSCLC patients, but further research is needed to confirm its effectiveness.

Statistics:

  • The study included 58 patients who received NIC and 60 patients who received PC.
  • The study had a median follow-up period of 8.0 months.
  • The objective response rate (ORR) for NIC was 43.1%, while the ORR for PC was 33.3%.
  • The disease control rate (DCR) for NIC was 81.0%, while the DCR for PC was 66.7%.
  • The overall response rate (ORR) for NIC was 26.8%, while the ORR for PC was 20.0%.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Studies from St. Antonius Hospital Yield New Data on Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (Comparative Effectiveness of Nivolumab and Ipilimumab Plus Chemotherapy Versus Pembrolizumab Plus Chemotherapy In Pd-l1 Negative Metastatic Non-small Cell Lung ...). Immunotherapy Weekly. July 2, 2025; p 3787.
  • Clinical Lung Cancer. Comparative Effectiveness of Nivolumab and Ipilimumab Plus Chemotherapy Versus Pembrolizumab Plus Chemotherapy In Pd-l1 Negative Metastatic Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Patients. 2025;26(4).