Stage IIIb/IV non-small cell lung cancer: Ipilimumab added to standard chemotherapy may improve survival
Ipilimumab ( Yervoy ) used in combination with Paclitaxel / Carboplatin for stage IIIb/IV non-small cell lung cancer has shown superior results in progression free survival when compared to Paclitaxel / Carboplatin alone, according to research presented at the 2010 Chicago Multidisciplinary Symposium in Thoracic Oncology.
Paclitaxel / Carboplatin are commonly used chemotherapy drugs in lung cancer patients. Ipilimumab is a human monoclonal antibody that is used to activate the immune system. It works by blinding to and blocking the activity of CTLA-4, a molecule on T-cells that is thought to play a large role in regulating natural immune responses, which as a result sustains an active immune response when attacking cancer cells.
Researchers in this randomized phase II trial sought to determine if adding Ipilimumab to treatments for stage IIIb/IV lung cancer patients would impact overall survival and progression free survival. Over 200 patients were treated using Ipilimumab plus a concurrent schedule of Paclitaxel / Carboplatin, Ipilimumab plus a phased schedule of Paclitaxel / Carboplatin or Paclitaxel / Carboplatin alone.
With both schedules, using Ipilimumab in combination with Paclitaxel / Carboplatin showed improved progression free survival rates when compared to Paclitaxel / Carboplatin alone. The phased schedule did show better efficacy than the concurrent schedule, but in no instance did Ipilimumab increase Paclitaxel / Carboplatin related toxicity. ( Xagena )
Source: American Society for Radiation Oncology, 2010
XagenaMedicine2010
