PRESCRIBER'S CORNER Section Editors: Christopher J. Campen and Beth Eaby-Sandy Nivolumab in Metastatic Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer ANDREA DEEL, PharmD From Kingsport Hematology Oncology, ung cancer is the leading NSCLC has led to the development of Kingsport, Tennessee cause of cancer deaths in agents that target specific molecular Author’s disclosures of potential conflicts of interest are found at the end of this article. the United States (Ameri- pathways in cancer cells (Kerr et al., Correspondence to: Andrea Deel, PharmD, can Cancer Society [ACS], 2014). Targeted therapies are a signifi- Kingsport Hematology Oncology, 4485 West L2015). Non–small cell lung cancer cant step forward in treating patients Stone Drive, Suite 200, Kingsport TN 37660. (NSCLC) is one of the most common with tumors that contain specific mu- E-mail:
[email protected] types of the disease and accounts tations in these pathways. doi: 10.6004/jadpro.2016.7.2.7 for 85% to 90% of lung cancer cases In the United States, several agents © 2016 Harborside Press® (ACS, 2015). Nonsquamous NSCLC have been approved to target these accounts for approximately 45% to tumors. They include erlotinib, afa- 60% of all lung cancer cases, where- tinib (Gilotrif ), and gefitinib (Iressa), as squamous NSCLC accounts for which target EGFR signaling; crizo- approximately 25% to 30% of all lung tinib (Xalkori) and ceritinib (Zykadia), cancer cases (ACS, 2015). which target ALK rearrangements; Survival rates vary depending on bevacizumab (Avastin) and ramuci- the stage and type of the cancer and rumab (Cyramza), which target vascu- when it is diagnosed. For stage IV lar endothelial growth factor (VEGF) NSCLC, the 5-year survival rate is 1% signaling.