Nivolumab versus Docetaxel in Advanced Squamous-Cell Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer

In a randomized study of second-line therapy, treatment with nivolumab, an anti–PD-1 antibody, resulted in responses in more people and in better overall survival than did docetaxel. Squamous-cell carcinoma represents approximately 30% of all cases of non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). 1 Treatment for advanced squamous-cell NSCLC remains an unmet need; little therapeutic progress has been made since the approval of docetaxel for second-line treatment in 1999. 2 – 4 Most new agents for the treatment of NSCLC are not indicated for this subtype because of their toxicity or lack of efficacy or because their activity is limited to tumors with specific genetic alterations that are rarely found in squamous-cell NSCLC. 5 – 7 Furthermore, no single-agent therapy has resulted in better survival than that seen with docetaxel. The programmed death 1 (PD-1) . . .