Summary

The main focus of attention at ESMO 2016 in the filed of lung cancer was again the use of checkpoint inhibitors. Two studies evaluating a PD1-inhibitor in the first line treatment of metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were presented with conflicting results. In addition to this, positive results with the PD-L1 inhibitor atezolizumab were presented together with promising findings with neo-adjuvant nivolumab in the management of early stage NSCLC. ESMO 2016 also featured important data on (new) targeted agents. In this light, the results of the ASCEND-5 study, assessing the efficacy and safety of ceritinib in patients with advanced ALK+ NSCLC who progressed on prior crizotinib and chemotherapy, were presented. Also the final results of the phase III LUX-Lung 7 study, and of the IMPRESS trial will be discussed in this summary. Finally, data were presented with the MEK inhibitor selumetinib in advanced NSCLC.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2016;10(8):319–24)