Tremelimumab plus durvalumab and chemotherapy as first-line treatment for metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer

A recent study suggests that tremelimumab plus durvalumab and chemotherapy improved patient reported outcomes in metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The findings of this study were published in the journal, Lung Cancer.

This phase 3 POSEIDON study included 972 patients randomized 1:1:1 to receive tremelimumab plus durvalumab and chemotherapy, durvalumab plus chemotherapy, or chemotherapy alone. The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer 30-item core quality of life questionnaire version 3 (QLQ-C30) and its 13-item lung cancer module (QLQ-LC13) were used to evaluate the PROs (prespecified secondary endpoints). The time to deterioration (TTD) of symptoms, functioning, and global health status/quality of life (QoL) from randomization were analyzed through the log-rank test, while the improvement rates were analyzed using logistic regression.

At the end of the study, it was shown that patients who received tremelimumab plus durvalumab and chemotherapy had longer median TTD for all PRO items compared to chemotherapy alone. Hazard ratios for TTD favored tremelimumab plus durvalumab and chemotherapy for all items except diarrhea and durvalumab plus chemotherapy favored for all items except nausea/vomiting and diarrhea. It was also observed that improvement rates in all PRO items were numerically higher for both immunotherapy plus chemotherapy arms compared to the chemotherapy arm alone.

Based on the above findings, it can be concluded that tremelimumab plus durvalumab and chemotherapy delayed worsening in symptoms, functioning, and overall health status/quality of life when compared to chemotherapy alone. Additionally, this treatment approach demonstrated significant improvements in survival. Consequently, these findings provide strong evidence for considering tremelimumab plus durvalumab and chemotherapy as a viable first-line treatment option for individuals with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.