Real-world trends in EU4 and the UK in frontline (1L) maintenance (MT) for nonsquamous (NSQ) advanced non-small cell lung cancer (aNSCLC) without actionable mutations after introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Abstract

296 Background: Immune checkpoint (PD-1, PD-L1) inhibitors are important in the treatment (Tx) of aNSCLC, as reflected in European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) guidelines. Pembrolizumab (pembro) combined with pemetrexed and platinum-based chemotherapy is a standard induction option in 1L Tx of NSQ aNSCLC. Decisions about 1L maintenance consider response and toxicity after induction, performance status, and patient preference. This study documents recent real-world 1L MT patient characteristics and Tx in EU4 (France, Germany, Italy, Spain) and UK. Methods: This retrospective analysis used patient chart review completed by treating physicians in EU4 and UK between 1 Jan 2018 and 31 Dec 2020 in the IQVIA Oncology Dynamics (OD) database. Adults (≥21 years) with confirmed NSQ aNSCLC (stage IIIB/C or IV) without actionable oncogenic driver mutations and with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) status of 0 or 1 were included. 1L MT and Tx characteristics and trends over time were evaluated overall and by country. Results: In total, 1,814 NSQ aNSCLC patients receiving 1L MT Tx met the inclusion criteria; 29% of patients entered the analysis in 2018, 40% in 2019, and 31% in 2020. Most patients were male (61%), in the 46–65 age group (51%), current/ex-smokers (87%), and treated in the UK (29%) or Germany (24%); 94% were metastatic (stage IV), 10% presented with CNS/brain metastases, and 77% had ECOG score of 1. Overall, 91% were tested for PD-L1; of these, 47% had tumor proportion score (TPS) of ≥1% to 49%, 22% had TPS of ≥50%, and 21% tested negative. Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were generally similar among countries. The top two Tx in 1L MT were pemetrexed (40%; range: 12% in Germany to 66% in Italy) and pembro (28%; range: 14% in Spain to 49% in Germany) monotherapies. Overall use of pemetrexed-based Tx in 1L MT decreased from 68% in 2018 Q1 to 56% in 2020 Q4, while pembro-based Tx increased from 18% in 2018 Q1 to 73% in 2020 Q4 in 1L MT. Conclusions: Despite ESMO guidelines, this real-world data suggests notable differences between European countries in 1L MT Tx for NSQ aNSCLC, with trends over time likely reflecting introduction and adoption of pembro regardless of PD-L1 status. Awareness of country and time-variability in clinical practice are critical for implementing clinical trials and updating clinical practice guidelines to maximize Tx benefits with improved tolerability.[Table: see text]