Use of monoclonal antibodies as active immunotherapy against non-small cell lung cancer

Abstract

Non-small-cell lung cancer corresponds to the most common type worldwide for this organ, representing approximately 85% of all cases. The classic treatments are surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. For these strategies to be effective, it is necessary to diagnose the disease in the early stages, which is a problem since, in about 70% of patients, the pathology is detected in advanced stages. It has been seen that the quality of life for these people has considerably imporved thanks to more specific therapies such as immunotherapy considerably. Options include passive and active immunotherapy. The passive one focuses on administering monoclonal antibodies that act directly on cancer proteins (vascular endothelial growth factor and epidermal growth factor receptor), while the active one targets the pathways PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4 receptors considered checkpoints of the immune system. To this day, treatments have been approved for this cancer using active immunotherapy mechanisms of action. They are pembrolizumab, nivolumab, atezolizumab, durvalumab, ipilimumab, and cemiplimab. Also, other alternatives are in the research phase, which in the future could be considered part of the therapeutic strategies against this disease.