Immune checkpoints and immunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer: Novel study progression, challenges and solutions (Review)

摘要

Lung cancer is the most common type of cancer with the highest mortality rate worldwide. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for ~85 of the total number of lung cancer cases. In the past two decades, immunotherapy has become a more promising treatment method than traditional treatments (surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy). Immunotherapy has been shown to improve the survival rate of patients and to have a superior effect when controlling lung cancer than traditional therapy. However, only a small number of patients can benefit from immunotherapy, and not all patients who qualify experience long-term benefits. In the clinic, the objective response rate of programmed cell death protein 1 treatment without the prior screening of patients is only 15-20. Immunotherapy is associated with both opportunities and challenges for patients with NSCLC.