OBJECTIVES

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in Japan, with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounting for ~85%. There is a paucity of research in Japan on clinical characteristics, treatment outcomes and prognostic factors of NSCLC. This real-world study aimed to understand patient characteristics and treatment strategies for NSCLC management in Japan.

METHODS

The IQVIA Oncology Dynamics database comprising syndicated cross-sectional survey-collected anonymized patient-level data from a representative panel of physicians was used to identify NSCLC patients in Japan between Q1 2017 and Q3 2020.

RESULTS

Data from 8,298 NSCLC patients were analyzed of which 58% were males and 82% were aged >60 years. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was the major comorbidity observed in both squamous (SQ) (43.3%) and non-SQ (14.8%) patients for 1^st line (1L). Similar patient profiles were seen for 2^nd (2L) and ≥3^rd (3L) lines of treatment. Pembrolizumab was favored by 1L wild-type SQ patients and pembrolizumab-containing regimens recorded 2^nd-4^th highest satisfaction. Different types of prescriptions were seen for 2L and 3L treatments. Network analyses revealed correlation between metastasis site and performance status in 1L with worse outcomes in subsequent lines.

CONCLUSIONS

In the current Japanese wild-type NSCLC treatment landscape, tumor progression is the main discontinuation reason implying unmet medical needs in effectiveness, even though a higher proportion of patients are being administered with new targeted and immuno-oncology treatment options in 1L regimens. Thus, further novel treatment options within this patient population are needed for greater standard of care, whereby NSCLC may incur greater burden on patients if not managed with consideration of patient/clinical characteristics.