Tecentriq in combination with Avastin, paclitaxel and carboplatin can be used for the first-line treatment of adults with metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

The monoclonal antibody Tecentriq (atezolizumab) from Roche is a PD-L1 inhibitor. It binds to the protein, which is expressed on tumor cells and tumor-infiltrating immune cells, preventing its interactions with PD-1 and B7.1 receptors and activating T cells. Roche has shown that Tecentriq can be used as a foundational combination partner with cancer immunotherapies, targeted medicines and various chemotherapies across a range of cancers.

Most recently, the company received marketing authorization from the European Commission for Tecentriq in combination with Avastin (bevacizumab) and chemotherapy (paclitaxel and carboplatin) for the first-line treatment of adults with metastatic EGFR mutant or ALK-positive NSCLC that have failed to respond to appropriate targeted therapies. 

The EC’s decision was based on the results of the phase III IMpower150 study involving over 1200 patients with stage IV or recurrent metastatic non-squamous NSCLC who had not been treated with chemotherapy for their advanced disease. The trial was randomized, with some patients receiving just Tecentriq plus carboplatin and paclitaxel, some receiving Tecentriq and Avastin plus carboplatin and paclitaxel, and some receiving Avastin plus carboplatin and paclitaxel (the control group). It was found that patients treated with the full combination lived longer.