In December 2019, the FDA approved Tecentriq (atezolizumab; from Genentech), a PD-1 inhibitor, in combination with Abraxane (paclitaxel protein-bound) and carboplatin chemotherapy, as first-line therapy for adults with metastatic non-squamous non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that does not harbor EGFR or ALK genomic mutations.
Tecentriq has been previously approved by the FDA for several cancers, including NSCLC with EGFR or ALK mutations, and bladder and breast cancers.
This new approval was based on results of a clinical trial showing improved survival and time without disease progression with Tecentriq in patients with NSCLC without EGFR or ALK mutations versus chemotherapy alone. The average survival was 18.6 months with Tecentriq versus 13.9 months with chemotherapy.
The most common side effects with atezolizumab plus chemotherapy were fatigue, nausea, alopecia, constipation, diarrhea, and decreased appetite.