Efficacy of PD-1/L1 inhibitors in brain metastases of non-small-cell lung cancer: pooled analysis from seven randomized controlled trials

Abstract

Background: The efficacy of PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitors in patients with brain metastases of non-small-cell lung cancer (BM-NSCLC) is inconclusive. Materials & methods: An electronic search was performed. Randomized controlled trials RCTs that compared the efficacy of PD-1- or PD-L1-inhibitor-based regimens with non-PD-1/L1 inhibitor regimens in patients with NSCLC and reported the data of subgroup patients with brain metastases were eligible for inclusion. The hazard ratios (HRs) for progression-free survival and overall survival were pooled in BM-NSCLC. Results: Seven RCTs with 472 BM-NSCLC cases are included. The pooled HRs indicated that PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitor-based regimens reduced risk of disease progression by 44% and reduced risk of death of BM-NSCLC patients by 29% compared with non-PD-1/L1 inhibitor regimens. Conclusion: This meta-analysis indicates that PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitors can reduce risk of both disease progression and death of patients with brain metastases of NSCLC, who have been pretreated with local therapies and/or are asymptomatic for the brain lesions.