Perioperative pembrolizumab now EMA-approved for resectable early-stage NSCLC, independent of PD-L1 expression

Over the past years, several studies has explored regimens involving PD-L1 inhibitors in the neoadjuvant and adjuvant treatment of early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, none of these regimens have yet demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in overall survival (OS). Given the fact that either approach alone leaves many patients at risk for relapse and eventual death from NSCLC, perioperative approaches that include both neoadjuvant and adjuvant immune checkpoint inhibition may provide benefit beyond either approach alone.¹ Results from the phase III KEYNOTE-671 study, demonstrating a 28% risk reduction in OS, have led to the EMA approval of perioperative pembrolizumab for adult patients with early-stage resectable NSCLC, at high risk of recurrence, independent of PD-L1 expression.²