Current opinion in oncology
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Checkpoint inhibitors (CPI) are revolutionizing the treatment of advanced cancers including recurrent and or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (RM-SCCHN). ⋯ Nivolumab and Pembrolizumab, two anti-PD-1 CPI, were associated with longer overall survival than standard chemotherapy in pretreated RM-SCCHN in two randomized phase 3 trials (respectively CHECKMATE-141 and KEYNOTE-040). Both are now approved in this setting. In the KEYNOTE-048 trial, the pembrolizumab was also associated with a longer survival when compared with the EXTREME regimen in first-line RM-SCCHN patients whose tumors overexpressed PD-L1 (combined positive score ≥20%). This trial also showed a superiority of platinum-based chemotherapy and pembrolizumab vs. EXTREME regimen in unselected first-line RM-SCCHN. Pembrolizumab will probably be the next standard of care for first-line RM-SCCHN with high expression of PD-L1. Further evaluation of CPI combined with other antitumoral agents is ongoing in advanced and locally advanced SCCHN.
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'Early-stage' nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) refers to stage I and stage II disease, and selected cases of stage IIIA disease where complete tumor resection is feasible. Surgery is the standard treatment for early NSCLC, but the overall 5-year survival remains below 50%. The addition of adjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy to surgery improved 5-year survival rates by 5-10%, but no significant therapeutic innovation has been established thereafter. We review recent and ongoing studies looking how immunotherapy may improve the outcome of these patients. ⋯ Although from a mechanistic perspective the neoadjuvant administration may be preferred, it is crucial that both adjuvant and neoadjuvant trials are recruited as planned, to have a balanced view how ICI therapy may ultimately improve cure rates in these patients.
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Immune checkpoint inhibitors have been established as a new class of anticancer drugs for patients with advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer. Predictive biomarkers might help to select those patients who will derive the greatest benefit from these expensive drugs. This review summarizes the current status of predictive biomarkers for immune checkpoint inhibitors in advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer. ⋯ PD-L1 expression on tumor and immune cells and tumor mutational load allow better selection of patients for treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors as single agents. The role of PD-L1 for the selection of patients for chemoimmuntherapy remains to be seen.
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Because of cancer is generally perceived as a life-threatening illness, patients often develop spiritual needs upon the diagnosis. Spirituality impacts patient quality of life (QoL) and provides a context in which to derive hope and meaning to cope with illness. The goal of this review is to give an overview of the most relevant studies with a focus on the relationship between spiritual well being, QoL and hope in patients with cancer, in addition to exploring the importance of spiritual issues both for patients and healthcare professionals. ⋯ Care for cancer patients goes beyond just caring for the person's body. The assessment of spiritual/religious needs can be considered the first step in designing needs-tailored interventions.