medwireNews: The EMA has recommended extending the indications for which the immune checkpoint inhibitors pembrolizumab and atezolizumab can be prescribed.
As such, the PD-1 inhibitor pembrolizumab can now be given in combination with axitinib to newly diagnosed adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma.
This decision follows the approval by the US FDA of the combination for the same indication in April of this year.
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The EMA announcement also includes two novel first-line indications for atezolizumab, an anti-PD-L1 agent.
Specifically, atezolizumab can be administered alongside nab-paclitaxel and carboplatin for the treatment of metastatic nonsquamous non-small-cell lung cancer lacking EGFR or ALK alterations.
And the PD-L1 inhibitor is also indicated for untreated adults with a diagnosis of extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer, to be given in combination with carboplatin and etoposide.
The FDA permitted the use of this three-drug regimen for this patient population back in March.
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