Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Plus Anlotinib Versus Anlotinib Alone as Third-Line Treatment in Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Aim: This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) plus anlotinib versus anlotinib alone to provide guidance for clinical treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer. Patients & methods: The records of 139 patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer who received at least one dose of ICIs plus anlotinib (IA group) or single-agent anlotinib (AA group) were retrospectively reviewed. The efficacy of the treatments, survival outcomes and adverse events were analyzed. The primary end point was investigator-assessed progression-free survival (PFS). Result: The IA group had a significantly prolonged median PFS (mPFS: 5.8 vs 4.2 months; p = 0.022) compared with the AA group (hazard ratio: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.68–0.97). In patients with brain metastases, the IA group exhibited improved efficacy (mPFS: 6.0 vs 3.8 months; p = 0.034) compared with the AA group (hazard ratio: 0.49; 95% CI: 0.23–1.05). Conclusion: ICIs plus anlotinib significantly improved efficacy compared with anlotinib alone and showed substantial potential for the control of intracranial lesions.

Keywords:

• advanced NSCLC
• anlotinib
• brain metastases
• combination therapy
• immune checkpoint inhibitors

Author contributions

W Zhang, C Zhang, S Yang, Q Chen, C Wang and Qisen Guo each met the criteria for authorship set forth by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors: each was involved in the conception, preparation and approval of the manuscript.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This study was supported by Shandong Key Research and Development Program (2019GSF108251). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Ethical conduct of research

This study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the Ethics Committee of Shandong Cancer Hospital. The requirement for informed consent was waived due to the retrospective nature of the study. The data of patients were analyzed anonymously and no personal information was disclosed.

Data sharing statement

The datasets generated and analyzed during the study are available from W Zhang on reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by Shandong Key Research and Development Program (2019GSF108251). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed