Immune checkpoint inhibitors in EGFR-mutation positive TKI-treated patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer network meta-analysis

Abstract

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) patients with Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) mutation benefit from a first line of treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). After progression, the choice of treatment is between chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors, but the role of EGFR mutation in the response to immunotherapy is still unclear. A network meta-analysis was performed and 4 randomized trials comparing immune checkpoint inhibitors versus chemotherapy were identified. A Bayesian network meta-analysis was carried out to compare three checkpoint inhibitors (nivolumab, pembrolizumab and atezolizumab) versus chemotherapy (docetaxel), evaluating their Hazard Ratio (HR) and 95% Confidence Interval (CI) for Overall Survival (OS). Results suggest that patients with NSCLC and EGFR mutation, previously treated with TKIs, show better OS when treated with docetaxel in comparison to checkpoint inhibitors treatment.