JOSHA`s CRITICAL REVIEW OF „Pembrolizumab plus Chemotherapy in Metastatic Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer”

A striking benefit in overall survival was observed, and a less striking benefit in progression-free survival. This is quite in contrast to other recent studies with checkpoint inhibitors demonstrating a significant event-free survival benefit but did not demonstrate an overall survival benefit – as yet. Perhaps disease control without added toxicity is a better strategy than trying to eradicate the last cancer cells with added treatment toxicity? The innovative therapeutic strategies based on concepts of clonal evolution proposed by Cassandra Willyard (Cancer: An evolving threat, Nature 532, 166, 2016) could be of relevance here. Also, the role of type and duration of maintenance therapy should be studied further. JOSHA’S Critical Reviews in Oncology and related areas of medicine and science will focus on recently published clinical and non-clinical studies and discoveries. Our editors feel that there is a strong need for expert opinions on studies and discoveries that may potentially impact on patient care. While any judgment will, of course, be a personal and subjective opinion of our editors with all its limitations, we do hope this service will be helpful for our readers and stimulate thoughts and reflections in face of ever more rapid introductions of new drugs and therapeutic strategies in these days. We do encourage comments by our readers!