Early tell.

Notwithstanding the major advancements we’ve seen in survival rates with the widespread adoption of immune checkpoint inhibitors for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), not everyone benefits. This Dutch investigation looked at circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) response as an early predictor of benefit. It prospectively enrolled 167 patients with advanced NSCLC planned for ICI. Of these, 152 (91%) had baseline ctDNA detected. Those who, after two infusions, achieved ≥ 50% molecular response (n=44) compared to those who didn’t (n=108) had significantly better progression-free survival (10 v 2 months) and overall survival (18 v 6 months). | Weber, JCO Precis Oncol 2021