Nonsquamous Research Articles

Pembrolizumab plus Chemotherapy for Squamous Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer

BackgroundStandard first-line therapy for metastatic, squamous non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is platinum-based chemotherapy or pembrolizumab (for patients with programmed death ligand 1 [PD-L1] expression on ≥50% of tumor cells). More recently, pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy was shown to significantly prolong overall survival among patients with nonsquamous NSCLC.MethodsIn this double-blind, phase 3 trial, we randomly assigned, in a 1:1 ratio, 559 patients with untreated metastatic, squamous NSCLC to receive 200 mg of pembrolizumab or saline placebo for up to 35 cycles; all the patients also received carboplatin and either paclitaxel or nanoparticle albumin-bound [nab]–paclitaxel for the first 4 cycles. Primary end points were overall survival and progression-free survival.ResultsAfter a median follow-up of 7.8 months, the median overall survival was 15.9 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 13.2 to not reached) in the pembrolizumab-combination group and 11.3 months (95% CI, 9.5 to 14.8) in the placebo-combination group (hazard ratio for death, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.49 to 0.85; P<0.001). The overall survival benefit was consistent regardless of the level of PD-L1 expression. The median progression-free survival was 6.4 months (95% CI, 6.2 to 8.3) in the pembrolizumab-combination group and 4.8 months (95% CI, 4.3 to 5.7) in the placebo-combination group (hazard ratio for disease progression or death, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.45 to 0.70; P<0.001). Adverse events of grade 3 or higher occurred in 69.8% of the patients in the pembrolizumab-combination group and in 68.2% of the patients in the placebo-combination group. Discontinuation of treatment because of adverse events was more frequent in the pembrolizumab-combination group than in the placebo-combination group (13.3% vs. 6.4%).ConclusionsIn patients with previously untreated metastatic, squamous NSCLC, the addition of pembrolizumab to chemotherapy with carboplatin plus paclitaxel or nab-paclitaxel resulted in significantly longer overall survival and progression-free survival than chemotherapy alone. (Funded by Merck Sharp & Dohme; KEYNOTE-407 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02775435.)

A New Standard of Care for Squamous Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Treating patients with squamous cell non–small-cell lung cancer (SC NSCLC) has been challenging due to the lack of actionable mutations and, therefore,

1381PD - Gefitinib with or without pemetrexed in nonsquamous (NS) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with EGFR mutation (mut): Final overall survival (OS) results from a randomized phase II study

1381PD - Gefitinib with or without pemetrexed in nonsquamous (NS) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with EGFR mutation (mut): Final overall survival (OS) results from a randomized phase II study

Overall survival (OS) analysis of IMpower150, a randomized Ph 3 study of atezolizumab (atezo) + chemotherapy (chemo) ± bevacizumab (bev) vs chemo + bev in 1L nonsquamous (NSQ) NSCLC.

9002Background: Atezo (anti–PD-L1) inhibits PD-L1 to restore anticancer immunity; bev may enhance atezo efficacy by inhibiting VEGF immunosuppression and promoting T-cell tumor infiltration. IMpower150 is the first randomized Ph 3 trial evaluating atezo + chemo (carboplatin [C] + paclitaxel [P]) ± bev vs CP + bev in 1L NSQ NSCLC. PFS benefit was observed with atezo + CP + bev vs CP + bev regardless of PD-L1 expression. Here we present the IMpower150 interim OS results. Methods: 1202 patients (pts) received atezo 1200 mg + C AUC 6 + P 200 mg/m2 (Arm A) or atezo + CP + bev 15 mg/kg (Arm B) vs CP + bev (Arm C) IV q3w for 4 or 6 cycles per investigator (INV); then maintenance atezo, atezo + bev, or bev, respectively. Co-primary endpoints were INV-assessed PFS in the ITT-WT (EGFR/ALK WT) and in WT pts with expression of a tumor T-effector gene signature (Teff-high WT) and OS in the ITT-WT. Data cutoff: 1/22/2018. Results: 349, 359, and 337 ITT-WT pts were enrolled in Arms A, B, and C, respectively, with median...

Efficacy and Safety of Necitumumab Continuation Therapy in the Phase III SQUIRE Study of Patients With Stage IV Squamous Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer

IntroductionIn a retrospective analysis of the SQUamous NSCLC treatment with the Inhibitor of EGF REceptor (SQUIRE) study, we investigated the efficacy and safety of single-agent necitumumab continuation therapy in patients with stage IV squamous non–small-cell lung cancer and in a subpopulation of patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-expressing tumors. Patients and MethodsPatients were randomized 1:1 for ≤ 6 cycles of gemcitabine and cisplatin either with or without necitumumab. Patients who received necitumumab continued receiving single-agent necitumumab until progressive disease (necitumumab continuation). Tissue collection was mandatory in SQUIRE. EGFR protein expression was assessed using immunohistochemistry in a central lab. In this subgroup analysis we compared patients treated with necitumumab monotherapy after completion of ≥ 4 cycles of chemotherapy with those in the chemotherapy arm who were progression-free and did not discontinue because of adverse events (AEs) after completion of ≥ 4 cycles of chemotherapy (gemcitabine-cisplatin nonprogressors). The same analysis was done for the subgroup of EGFR-expressing patients (EGFR > 0). ResultsBaseline characteristics and chemotherapy exposure were well balanced between the necitumumab continuation (n = 261) and gemcitabine-cisplatin nonprogressor (n = 215) arms and in the EGFR-expressing population. Median overall survival (OS) from randomization in the necitumumab with gemcitabine-cisplatin versus gemcitabine-cisplatin nonprogressor arm was 15.9 versus 15.0 months (hazard ratio [HR], 0.85; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.69-1.05) and median progression-free survival (PFS) from randomization was 7.4 versus 6.9 months (HR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.70-1.06). OS and PFS benefits were similar when assessed from the postinduction period and in EGFR-expressing patients. No new safety findings emerged. ConclusionThere was a consistent treatment effect in favor of necitumumab continuation versus that in gemcitabine-cisplatin nonprogressors, with no unexpected increases in AEs in intention-to-treat as well as EGFR-expressing populations.

IFCT-GFPC-1101 trial: A multicenter phase III assessing a maintenance strategy determined by response to induction chemotherapy compared to continuation maintenance with pemetrexed in patients (pts) with advanced non-squamous (NSQ) NSCLC.

9003 Background: Benefit coming from maintenance treatment appears greater for switch maintenance in pts with disease stabilization (SD) while it might be larger for continuation maintenance in pts with objective response (OR). This study assessed a maintenance strategy conditioned by response to cisplatin-gemcitabine (CG): continuation maintenance with G for pts with OR and switch maintenance with pemetrexed (P) for pts with SD compared with a control arm using P continuation maintenance following cisplatin-pemetrexed (CP) induction regimen. Methods: Eligibility criteria included age 18-70 years, PS of 0-1, untreated stage IV NSQ NSCLC without EGFR mutation or ALK rearrangement, ineligibility to bevacizumab. Pts were randomized 1:1 to receive either experimental CG arm: CG (4 cycles) followed by G maintenance in case of OR followed by second-line P or switch maintenance with P for pts with SD, or standard CP arm: 4 cycles CP induction regimen followed by maintenance P. Overall survival (OS) was the primary endpoint; secondary endpoints included PFS, response rate and safety. Results: Between Jul 2012 and Jun 2016, 932 pts were randomized (CG: 467, CP: 465). Pts characteristics were balanced between the arms. 255 pts (54.6%) in the CG arm received maintenance treatment (G: 142, P: 113) while 274 pts (58.9%) received P maintenance in the CP arm. Median number of maintenance cycles was 5 for G and 4 for P in both arms. The OS adjusted HR was 0.97 (95% CI 0.84, 1.13; p=0.72); median OS: 10.9m CG vs. 10.4m CP. The HR for PFS was 0.96 (95% CI 0.84, 1.10; p=0.56); median PFS: 5.0m CG vs. 4.7m CP. Safety profile was as expected during induction chemotherapy. During maintenance, grade ≥3 hematological AEs occurred in 28% and 31% of pts in CG and CP, respectively, with febrile neutropenia (2.4% vs. 1.1%), anemia (9.4% vs. 11.7%), thrombocytopenia (6.7% vs. 5.8%). No grade ≥3 non-hematological AEs occurred in &gt;5% of pts except for asthenia (3.9% CG vs. 5.1% CP). Conclusions: Adapting maintenance strategy according to response to induction chemotherapy does not improve patient outcome. Clinical trial information: NCT01631136.

Presence of genetic aberrations in patients with brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and clinical outcomes.

e20604 Background: Historically, survival in patients (pts) with NSCLC brain metastases (BM) is poor, however, improved systemic therapies are now available including targeted therapies and immunotherapy. We sought to evaluate the prevalence of genetic alterations in pts with BM from non-squamous (NS) lung cancer, and to determine clinical outcomes in the modern era. Methods: With IRB approval, pts with BM from NS-NSCLC from 1/2010-1/2016 with genetic testing were captured and retrospectively reviewed. Snapshot genotyping was performed prior to 1/2014, after which Next Generation Sequencing was utilized, along with FISH lung cancer panel. Genes examined included: EGFR, ALK, RET, ROS1, TP53, KRAS, NRAS, MET, PTEN, BRAF, FBXW7, MAP2K1, APC, PIK3CA, CTNNB1, and SMAD4. Univariable and multivariable analysis (MVA) were utilized to assess factors associated with overall survival (OS). Results: 92 pts were included. Median number of BM was 4 (range 1-45). Median age was 64 (32-90 years). 59.8% were male. 38% received targeted therapy, 11% received immunotherapy, and 70% received conventional chemotherapy. 52.2% and 47.8% received whole brain radiotherapy and stereotactic radiosurgery, respectively. Median OS from first brain radiotherapy (RT) was 10.7 months (0.1-56.4). EGFR mutation, ALK fusion, ROS1 rearrangement, and RET rearrangement occurred in 27.5%, 5.2%, 1.7%, and 0% of pts. EGFR L858 and EGFR T790 mutations occurred in 19.2% and 2.7% of all pts. TP53, KRAS, and NRAS mutations occurred in 63.9%, 28.8% and 7% of pts. All other mutations had an incidence of less than 3%. On MVA, targeted therapy (HR 0.43 95% CI 0.22-0.86), immunotherapy (HR 0.04 95% CI 0.01-0.3), surgical resection (HR 0.38 95% CI 0.18-0.81), and ECOG performance status (0.23 95% CI 0.1-0.54) were associated with improved OS. No specific genetic aberration, RT modality, or number of BM was associated with OS. Conclusions: In pts with BM from NS-NSCLC, the most common molecular aberrations include TP53, EGFR, and KRAS mutations. Treatment with brain RT and modern systemic therapies yields a median survival greater than ten months. The use of targeted therapy or immunotherapy was associated with increased OS.

Nivolumab Causing a Polymyalgia Rheumatica in a Patient With a Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

The anti-programmed cell-death-1 antibody, nivolumab, has been recently approved for the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Although, today, immune-related adverse effects such as dermatologic, digestive, hepatic, and endocrine toxicities are well-known with immune checkpoint inhibitors, rheumatic diseases are less well described. Herein, we report the case of a patient without a history of arthritis who developed polymyalgia rheumatica after 13 cycles of nivolumab used for the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Laboratory evidence of inflammatory syndrome, articular echography, and clinical presentation with classical symptoms and also distal manifestations were suggestive of this chronic inflammatory disorder. Because of a relevant pain, clinicians were forced to suspend immunotherapy. Nevertheless, due to glucocorticoid therapy, the patient's symptoms have decreased progressively. Moreover, nivolumab was reintroduced 8 weeks later, whereas prednisone (10 mg) was continued, without any recurrence symptoms. To conclude, our case suggests that polymyalgia rheumatica might be a very disabling anti-programmed cell-death-1 immune-related adverse effect.

Phase II study of nivolumab in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in Korea.

92 Background: Nivolumab (BMS-936558/ONO-4538), a fully human IgG4, PD-1 immune-checkpoint inhibitor antibody, has shown durable clinical activity in several tumor types. Recently, two phase III studies (CheckMate-017 and -057) demonstrated that nivolumab improved overall survival (OS) than docetaxel in second-line of squamous (SQ) and non-squamous (NSQ) Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), respectively. Here, we report the results of a phase II study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of nivolumab in Korean patients (pts) with previously treated advanced SQ and NSQ NSCLC. Methods: This study requires pts aged ≥ 20 years with ECOG Performance Status (PS) of 0 or 1, stage IIIB/IV or recurrent NSCLC and at least one prior chemotherapy including platinum containing regimen. Pts received nivolumab 3 mg/kg IV Q2W until progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint in this study was the objective response rate (ORR) (RECIST v1.1). Results: Nivolumab was administered to 100 NSCLC pts (SQ: 44, NSQ: 56), male/female: 78 (SQ: 44, NSQ: 34)/22 (SQ: 0, NSQ: 22); PS 0/1: 14 (SQ: 6, NSQ: 8)/86 (SQ: 38, NSQ: 48); aged 29 to 80 [median: 66.5] years (SQ: 40 to 80 [median: 69.5], NSQ: 29 to 77 [median: 63.5]); Stage IIIB/IV/recurrence: 6 (SQ: 5, NSQ: 1)/91 (SQ: 37, NSQ: 54)/3 (SQ: 2, NSQ: 1)). In SQ and NSQ NSCLC, ORR was 15.9% (7/44) and 23.2% (13/56), respectively. Median progression-free survival was 2.6 mo and 5.3 mo, respectively. Complete Response was observed in 2.3% (1/44) and 1.8% (1/56), respectively. Median OS was 12.3 mo and 16.3 mo, respectively. Median follow-up was 8.9 mo and 12.3 mo, respectively. Most common adverse drug reaction (ADR) was decreased appetite 15.9% (7/44), followed by pyrexia 9.1% (4/44) in SQ NSCLC, and decreased appetite 12.5% (7/56), followed by pruritus 10.7% (6/56), fatigue 8.9% (5/56), pyrexia 5.4% (3/56) and nausea 5.4% (3/56) in NSQ NSCLC. Grade 3-4 ADR was observed in 6.8% (3/44) and 10.7% (6/56) of SQ and NSQ NSCLC, respectively. No interstitial lung disease and no grade 5 ADRs were observed in this study. Conclusions: Nivolumab was considered to be effective and used safely in Korean pts with SQ and NSQ NSCLC as well as in non-Korean pts with SQ and NSQ NSCLC. Clinical trial information: NCT02175017.

1330 - Comparative efficacy and safety of nivolumab (nivo) vs relevant treatments (txs) in pretreated non-squamous (NSQ) advanced non-small cell lung cancer (aNSCLC): Results from a systematic literature review (SLR) and indirect treatment comparisons (ITCs) of randomized controlled trials (RCTs)

1330 - Comparative efficacy and safety of nivolumab (nivo) vs relevant treatments (txs) in pretreated non-squamous (NSQ) advanced non-small cell lung cancer (aNSCLC): Results from a systematic literature review (SLR) and indirect treatment comparisons (ITCs) of randomized controlled trials (RCTs)

Pemetrexed in Third and Fourth Line Chemotherapy for Non Squamous Non Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Introduction: Lung cancer is responsible for the highest mortality caused by malignant solid tumors. Chemotherapy remains one of the most important modality of treatment. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed the records of 42 patients’ treatment with pemetrexed, used in second, third and fourth line chemotherapy for advanced non-squamous non-small cell cancer (NSCLC). Kaplan Meier curve was used for calculation of overall survival. Results: The median overall survival in the second-line was 10 months and in third- and fourth-line was 6.5 months. Discussion: We discuss the similar study with pemetrexed in mono-chemotherapy or combination, study with similar results. Also we make a reference to the new therapy with best results but with much higher cost and effective only for a part of patients. Conclusions: This result and other results presented in similar studies encourage us to recommend pemetrexed in the third and fourth line chemotherapy for well-selected patients.

442O Overall health status (HS) in patients (pts) with advanced (adv) non-squamous (NSQ) NSCLC treated with nivolumab (nivo) or docetaxel (doc) in CheckMate 057

442O Overall health status (HS) in patients (pts) with advanced (adv) non-squamous (NSQ) NSCLC treated with nivolumab (nivo) or docetaxel (doc) in CheckMate 057

442O Overall health status (HS) in patients (pts) with advanced (adv) non-squamous (NSQ) NSCLC treated with nivolumab (nivo) or docetaxel (doc) in CheckMate 057

442O Overall health status (HS) in patients (pts) with advanced (adv) non-squamous (NSQ) NSCLC treated with nivolumab (nivo) or docetaxel (doc) in CheckMate 057

1217PD - Overall health status (HS) in patients (pts) with advanced (adv) non-squamous (NSQ) NSCLC treated with nivolumab (nivo) or docetaxel (doc) in CheckMate 057

1217PD - Overall health status (HS) in patients (pts) with advanced (adv) non-squamous (NSQ) NSCLC treated with nivolumab (nivo) or docetaxel (doc) in CheckMate 057

1240P - Randomized phase 2 trial of gefitinib with and without pemetrexed as first-line therapy in East Asian patients with advanced, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation-positive (mt+), nonsquamous (NS) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): Translational research and interim overall survival (OS)

The primary analysis of this open-label, randomized, multicenter, phase 2 study found significantly longer progression-free survival (PFS) for pemetrexed plus gefitinib (P + G) vs gefitinib alone (G) in 191 East Asian patients with EGFR mt+ NS NSCLC (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 0.68; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.48-0.96; P = 0.029). Translational research, interim OS data and updated safety results are reported. Treatment-naive patients with advanced, EGFR mt+ (local laboratory testing), NS NSCLC were randomized (2:1) to receive P + G (pemetrexed 500 mg/m2, Day 1 of 21-day cycles plus gefitinib 250 mg/day; n = 126) or G (gefitinib 250 mg/day; n = 65). Mandatory pretreatment tissue samples were assayed for EGFR mutations by central evaluation (CE) (n = 159) and thymidylate synthase (TS) by immunohistochemistry (n = 146). OS in the intention-to treat (ITT) population and correlation of biomarkers with clinical outcomes were analyzed by adjusted Cox regression. By CE, 149/159 patients (93.7%) were EGFR mt+. In the CE+ population, PFS was longer for P + G (n = 96) vs G (n = 53) (HR: 0.72; 95% CI: 0.48-1.06; P = 0.093), consistent with the primary analysis based on local testing. In patients with low (n = 67) and high (n = 79) TS expression, the PFS HR was 0.47 (95% CI: 0.26-0.87) and 0.83 (95% CI: 0.47-1.46), respectively; the interaction effect was not statistically significant (P = 0.177). At the interim OS analysis (80 events, 58% censoring), OS was not significantly different for P + G vs G (HR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.49-1.28; P = 0.342). Postdiscontinuation systemic therapy was common (P + G: 62.7%; G: 72.3%). The incidence of grade 3/4 drug-related adverse events was significantly (P = 0.002) higher for P + G (42.9%) vs G (20.0%). The PFS HR for the CE+ population was consistent with the primary ITT analysis. No significant interaction effects were seen for TS. At this interim analysis, there was no statistical difference in OS for P + G vs G. Final OS analyses will be reported when 130 events have occurred.

Biweekly Carboplatin Plus Gemcitabine as First-Line Treatment of Elderly Patients With Advanced Squamous Non–Small-cell Lung Cancer: A Multicenter Phase I-II Trial by the Hellenic Oncology Research Group

BackgroundThe present study was a phase I/II study to determine the maximum tolerated doses (MTDs) and dose-limiting toxicities of the biweekly carboplatin/gemcitabine combination and evaluate its safety and efficacy in patients aged ≥ 70 years with advanced squamous non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients and MethodsPatients aged ≥ 70 years with advanced or metastatic squamous NSCLC received escalated doses of carboplatin (area under the curve [AUC] 2-2.5 intravenously) and gemcitabine (800-1100 mg/m2 intravenously) every 2 weeks (phase I). In the phase II, the drugs were administered at their previously defined MTDs (carboplatin, AUC 2.5; gemcitabine, 1100 mg/m2). The primary endpoint was the overall response rate. ResultsA total of 69 patients were enrolled (phase I, n = 15). The median age was 76 years (range, 70-84 years); 52 patients had stage IV disease, and 61 and 8 patients had Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 to 1 and 2, respectively. The MTDs could not be reached at the predefined last dose levels. The dose-limiting toxicities were grade 5 renal toxicity and grade 3 thrombocytopenia. In the phase II study, the overall response rate was 35.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 23.0%-48.8%). In the intention-to-treat analysis, the median progression-free survival was 6.7 months (95% CI, 4.2-8.8 months), and the median overall survival was 13.3 months (95% CI, 7.1-19.6 months). Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia was observed in 7 patients (12.3%), grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia in 4 patients (7.1%), and grade 2 or 3 fatigue in 10 patients (17.5%). One toxic death occurred in the phase I of the study. ConclusionThe biweekly regimen of gemcitabine and carboplatin showed satisfactory efficacy and a favorable toxicity profile in elderly patients with advanced or metastatic squamous cell NSCLC.

Estimated costs of managing treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) of nivolumab (nivo) and docetaxel (doc) in the CheckMate 017 and CheckMate 057 phase III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) trials.

6617Background: Nivo, a PD-1 antibody, received FDA approval based on superior overall survival in metastatic squamous (SQ) and non-squamous (NSQ) NSCLC patients who have progressed on or after platinum-based doublet chemotherapy. The purpose of this study was to assess the frequency and associated costs of grade 2–4 AEs in the CheckMate 017 (SQ) and CheckMate 057 (NSQ) phase III pivotal trials of nivo vs doc in stage IIIB/IV NSCLC. Methods: Patient-level data from these two trials were utilized to estimate the frequency of TRAEs requiring management in the nivo and doc arms, including serious and non-serious TRAEs. Minimum follow-up for AE reporting at database lock was 12 months. Grade 3–4 AE costs by event were identified from Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) data in 2010, which were adjusted to reflect 2012-equivalent US costs. Healthcare utilization associated with grade 2 AEs was based on clinical opinion and costs were based on HCUP or other sources as appropriate. Results: In both tr...

Lung Cancer Symptom Scale (LCSS) as a marker of treatment (tx) benefit with nivolumab (nivo) vs docetaxel (doc) in patients (pts) with advanced (adv) non-squamous (NSQ) NSCLC from CheckMate 057.

9031Background: Nivo is the first anti–programmed death-1 agent to demonstrate a survival benefit vs doc in pts with previously treated adv NSQ and SQ NSCLC. Here we report the impact of nivo vs do...

New Drug for Squamous Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer

* Necitumumab (Portrazza) is a new epidermal growth factor receptor antagonist approved to treat advanced squamous non–small cell lung cancer in patients who haven't received medication for advanced lung cancer. * Risks include cardiac arrest and hypomagnesemia. The latter is extremely common. Electrolyte levels should be monitored closely.

CD45RO+ Memory T Lymphocytes — a Candidate Marker for TNM-Immunoscore in Squamous Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are vital in limiting cancer progression and may supplement the TNM classification. CD45RO+ memory TILs show major prognostic impact in various malignancies but have not been extensively explored in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this study, we aimed to evaluate their potential in a NSCLC TNM-Immunoscore. Tissue microarrays were constructed from tumor tissue samples from two cohorts including in total 536 patients (University Hospital of North Norway, n = 285; Nordland Hospital, n = 251) with primary resected stage I to IIIA NSCLC. The density of CD45RO+ and CD8+ TILs in tumor epithelial and stromal compartments of the tumors was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. In univariate analyses, intraepithelial CD45RO+ TIL density (T-CD45RO) was a significant prognostic factor for disease-specific survival (P = .007), limited to the squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) histology subgroup (P < .001), where it was significant in both cohorts (University Hospital of North Norway, P = .003; Nordland Hospital, P = .022). Combining T-CD45RO and stromal CD8+ TIL density (S-CD8) increased the prognostic impact in SCC (P < .001) and showed a significant impact within all pathological stages (I, P = .025; II, P < .001; III, P = .001). In the multivariate analysis, T-CD45RO was an independent positive prognostic factor for SCC (hazard ratio 2.65, 95% confidence interval 1.64-4.28, P < .001), and in combination with S-CD8, the prognostic impact increased vastly (high + high versus low + low: hazard ratio 6.50, 95% confidence interval 3.54-11.91, P < .001). In conclusion, T-CD45RO was an independent prognostic factor for SCC NSCLC. When combined with S-CD8, the prognostic impact increased and was significant within each pathological stage. We propose CD45RO as a candidate marker for TNM-Immunoscore in SCC NSCLC.