First-line pembrolizumab for metastatic NSCLC in lower-middle-income countries: bridging the efficacy-effectiveness gap.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Pembrolizumab is a standard first-line therapy for advanced/metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (a/mNSCLC) lacking actionable mutations. Data from lower-middle-income countries (LMICs) remain scarce.

Methods

From January 2019 to June 2024, we prospectively analyzed 78 a/mNSCLC patients receiving pembrolizumab-based first-line therapy. Endpoints included overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), disease control rate (DCR), and conditional survival probabilities.

Results

With a median follow-up of 27 months, median OS was 21 months (95% CI: 12.2-30.8) and median PFS 6.3 months (95% CI: 5.5-10.1). At first response evaluation (2 months), partial response was seen in 47.4% (37/78), stable disease in 16.7% (13/78). Next-generation sequencing (8

SUBMITTER: Batra U 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12427484 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature