Network meta-analysis of first-line immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy in advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer patients with PD-L1 expression ≥ 50%

Introduction The optimal first-line immunotherapy regimen for advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NS-NSCLC) patients with programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression >= 50% remains unclear. Our aim is to determine the most effective treatment regimen through a network meta-analysis (NMA) comparing these treatments. Methods A systematic search was performed in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase databases, and a Bayesian network meta-analysis was conducted. To ensure transparency, the study was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42022349712). Results The analysis included 11 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 2037 patients and 12 immunotherapy combinations. ICI-ICI, ICI alone, and chemotherapy-ICI showed significant advantages over chemotherapy in terms of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy showed the best OS results compared to chemotherapy. Tislelizumab plus chemotherapy and sintilimab plus chemotherapy provided the best PFS results. Conclusions For NS-NSCLC patients with PD-L1 >= 50%, pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy, tislelizumab plus chemotherapy, and sintilimab plus chemotherapy are recommended as good treatment options based on the results of this Network meta-analysis (NMA).