Expression/DNA Methylation of Cancer Testis Antigens May Predict Response to Pembrolizumab in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Patients

Pembrolizumab is a potent and highly selective humanized monoclonal antibody (mAb) of the IgG4/kappa isotype designed to directly block the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2. KeytrudaTM (pembrolizumab) has been approved by the FDA and the EMA for the therapy of with chemotherapy pretreated NSCLC patients with PD-L1 expression (TPS ≥ 1%) on tumor cells. In addition, pembrolizumab was approved for the first line treatment of metastatic NSCLC patients with high PD-L1 expression (TPS ≥ 50%) on tumor cells. Pembrolizumab will be given in a flat dose of 200 mg i.v. every 3 weeks until disease progression, toxicity or patient withdrawal for a maximum of 2 years. Patients with untreated advanced stage lung adenocarcinoma, without an EGFR mutation or ALK translocation, will be included.