Checkpoint Inhibitors for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Among Older Adults

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is mostly a disease of older adults, with its incidence and mortality rates increasing exponentially after the age of 65 years. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have changed the scene of NSCLC treatment after a long and relatively stagnant period of standard treatment regimens. However, little is known about the specific impact of these agents in older adults for whom care is often complicated by a variety of syndromes. This underlines the importance of understanding the dynamics of new cancer treatments in an older patient population. In this paper, we will review ICIs' mechanism of action and data from published clinical trials relevant to older adults. In addition, we will discuss immune aging and treatment-related toxicity as potential challenges facing the use of checkpoint inhibitors in older adults with NSCLC.