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Diseases

Lung Cancer with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Shows Positive Response to Immune Checkpoint Blockade

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A team of researchers from Tongji University in Shanghai, People's Republic of China, has found that patients with lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may derive greater benefits from immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy, with a notable increase in survival rates and radiologic response. However, the study also revealed a higher risk of checkpoint inhibitor-related pneumonitis (CIP) in these patients.

The investigation, which was published in the Journal of Thoracic Disease, involved a systematic review and meta-analysis of 18 studies on immunotherapy in lung cancer with or without COPD. The researchers pooled data from these studies to assess the safety and effectiveness of ICB therapy in patients with lung cancer and COPD.

The study's findings suggest that patients with lung cancer and COPD who received ICB therapy experienced a higher objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) compared to those without COPD. Additionally, the median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were significantly longer in patients with lung cancer and COPD receiving ICB therapy.

Key Takeaways:

  • Patients with lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may benefit from immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy, with improved survival rates and radiologic response.
  • However, the study also found a higher risk of checkpoint inhibitor-related pneumonitis (CIP) in patients with lung cancer and COPD.
  • The pooled odds ratio (OR) for checkpoint inhibitor-related pneumonitis (CIP) was 2.23 (95% CI: 1.48-3.37), indicating a significantly higher risk in patients with lung cancer and COPD.
  • Patients with lung cancer and COPD receiving ICB therapy experienced a higher objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR), with pooled ORs of 2.04 (95% CI: 1.38-3.01) and 1.58 (95% CI: 1.05-2.38), respectively.
  • The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were significantly longer in patients with lung cancer and COPD receiving ICB therapy, with pooled hazard ratios (HRs) of 0.57 (95% CI: 0.49-0.67) and 0.57 (95% CI: 0.47-0.68), respectively.

Statistics:

  • 20.40% of patients with lung cancer and COPD experienced checkpoint inhibitor-related pneumonitis (CIP), compared to 11.48% of those without COPD.
  • The pooled odds ratio (OR) for checkpoint inhibitor-related pneumonitis (CIP) was 2.23 (95% CI: 1.48-3.37).
  • The objective response rate (ORR) for patients with lung cancer and COPD receiving ICB therapy was 32.95%, compared to 20.21% for those without COPD.
  • The disease control rate (DCR) for patients with lung cancer and COPD receiving ICB therapy was 66.51%, compared to 50.83% for those without COPD.
  • The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were significantly longer in patients with lung cancer and COPD receiving ICB therapy, with pooled hazard ratios (HRs) of 0.57 (95% CI: 0.49-0.67) and 0.57 (95% CI: 0.47-0.68), respectively.

Sources:

  • The safety and effectiveness of immune checkpoint blockade in lung cancer with COPD: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Thoracic Disease, 2025;17(7):5095-5107.
  • NewsRx. Recent Findings from Tongji University Provide New Insights into Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (The safety and effectiveness of immune checkpoint blockade in lung cancer with COPD: a systematic review and meta-analysis). Cancer Weekly. August 26, 2025; p 3245.

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