Optimal Sequencing of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) and Standard Platinum-based Chemotherapy in First-Line NSCLC

While a genotype-directed strategy has been established as effective in treatment selection for patients with advanced NSCLC, only a minority of patients at this time will have a readily identifiable actionable molecular target. Furthermore, genotype-directed therapy has not been validated for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. Therefore, the majority of patients with advanced NSCLC will continue to rely on standard platinum-based doublet chemotherapy. Given the plateau in effectiveness of this approach, novel treatment strategies are clearly warranted.