ABSTRACT
Given the unmet needs in cancer treatment, extensive research and development has evolved to offer therapies for cancers to extend survival and minimize side effects. Immunotherapy, an approach to harness normal immune cells against cancers not only today's breakthrough but in fact the future of oncology therapeutics. Taking into consideration the recent approvals for new lines of therapy including anti-programmed-death-1 or programmed-death-1 ligand [PD-1/PD-L1] monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of Malignant Melanoma [MM] and Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer [NSCLC], local strategies need to be established following the field experts' concurrence. Expert input forums are among the key approaches to define locally-adapted clinical-pathways with regard to the novel treatments. To this end, a panel of Iranian medical oncology experts reviewed the available evidence, taking into consideration recent practice guidelines with regard to the treatment of MM and NSCLC in order to draw an agreed-upon approach highlighting the position of immunotherapy in their current practice. Having addressed the key questions and considering the possible limitations and challenges, the panel could reach an agreed position. This report highlights the discussions with regards to the role of immunotherapy in MM and NSCLC during the immune-oncology clinical forum [IOCF] comprising an Iranian panel of experts
ABSTRACT
The efficacy of second line chemotherapy for relapsed non small cell lung cancer has been established. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of maintenance therapy with docetaxel in patients with non-small cell lung cancer who were stabilized with first line chemotherapy and had good performance status before relapse. The primary objective was to determine one-year survival and the other objectives were evaluation of adverse effects and time to progression. Eighteen patients with lung cancer were included in this study. All patients were at stage III and IV, without distant metastasis or neuropathy. All patients had been treated with platinum based regimen initially and were responsive or stable with no progression. The patients were treated with docetaxel 75 mg/m[2] for a total of 4 cycles repeated every 3 weeks. All patients accomplished 4 chemotherapy cycles and a total of 72 cycles were administered. The mean time of progression free survival [PFS] was 9-10 months and one- year survival [OS] was 94.4% without any significant adverse effect necessitating medical intervention. The mean survival time of patients was 18 [12-20] months. Using docetaxel as consolidation chemotherapy in patients with non small cell lung cancer can prolong time to progression of disease and probably patients' survival without significant adverse effects or negative impact on the quality of life