OBJECTIVES:

In recent years, a new emerging class of immuno-oncology (IO) drugs have been developed for effective management of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The objective of this study was to examine the profiles of NSCLC patients treated with an IO therapy in the US and Europe.

METHODS:

A retrospective medical chart review of NSCLC patients in the US (n=4,058) and 5 European (EU5) countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK; n=13,689)) was conducted between 7/2016 and 6/2017. Physicians randomly selected patient charts currently on an anti-cancer regimen and extracted data on demographics, disease status, treatment patterns, and biomarker status. Patients treated with IO drugs were included in this study (US n=1,421; EU5 n=2,728).

RESULTS:

A larger percentage of US patients were treated with IO agents compared to EU5 (35% vs 20%; p<0.0001). The mean (SD) age was 67.3 (8.54) years in the US and 64.9 (8.14) in the EU5 cohort (p<0.0001). A higher proportion of patients in the US were female (38% vs 30%; p<0.0001), current/previous smokers (91% vs 88%; p=0.0039), and had non-squamous cell carcinoma (71% vs 54%, p<0.0001). Larger percentages of patients in the US had ≥1 concomitant condition affecting cancer treatment (85% vs 73%; p<0.0001), specifically hypertension (44% vs 33%, p<0.0001) and pulmonary disorders (44% vs 32%, p<0.0001). Anticipated treatment duration was 5.3 months for the US cohort and 4.3 months for the EU5 cohort.

CONCLUSIONS:

NSCLC patients on IO therapy in the US tended to be older, female, and current/previous smokers. This study provides an important baseline assessment of NSCLC patient profiles in both the US and EU5 and an opportunity for future longitudinal studies.