Immunotherapy of non-small-cell lung cancer

In recent years, the discovery of the importance of checkpoint inhibitors has fundamentally changed the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). To date, various programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) and programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) checkpoint inhibitors have been approved in stage III or IV NSCLC. Moreover, several treatment options for checkpoint inhibitors with or without combinational chemotherapy may be used for treatment of stage IV disease. In addition, immune modulatory strategies with new combinations, new targets, or used in early stages are being explored. Consequently, we may expect even more treatment options in the near future. This is likely to also require establishment of further decision criteria and continuing education for treating physicians.