medwireNews: Cemiplimab may be given as a first-line therapy for locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who have high PD-L1 expression, the US FDA says.
The approval is based on the findings of the EMPOWER-Lung 1 trial which showed a significant overall survival benefit with the PD-1 inhibitor compared with platinum doublet chemotherapy.
Cemiplimab may be given to patients without metastases who are unsuitable for resection or definitive chemoradiotherapy. Candidates for treatment must also have a PD-L1 tumor proportion score of at least 50% on a FDA-approved test and no evidence of EGFR, ALK, or ROS1 alterations.
The recommended dosage is 350 mg every 3 weeks given over a 30-minute intravenous infusion; adverse reactions highlighted on the label include musculoskeletal pain, rash, anaemia, fatigue, decreased appetite, pneumonia, and cough.
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