Checkpoint Resistance and Beyond: Unlocking the Promise of Novel IO Agents in mNSCLC

Metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC) remains a leading cause of cancer mortality despite advances with targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). While PD-1/PD-L1 blockade has improved outcomes, most patients ultimately progress, and durable responses remain limited. These challenges highlight ongoing unmet needs in overcoming resistance, tailoring therapy for oncogene-driven tumors, and balancing efficacy with manageable toxicity.  Among the most promising emerging agents are bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) and co-stimulatory immune modulators, both of which are designed to enhance anti-tumor immunity through distinct but complementary mechanisms. These next-generation agents aim to restore immune surveillance, reshape the tumor microenvironment, and overcome established resistance mechanisms.

In this CE Concepts Journal Club, expert faculty will assess emerging data on bispecific antibodies and co-stimulatory immune modulators presented at the ESMO-IO Congress and interpret safety and efficacy profiles of novel immuno-oncology agents to inform therapeutic decision-making in mNSCLC. This enduring, interactive activity will provide timely insights to support informed care planning and improved outcomes for patients with advanced lung cancer.

At the conclusion of this activity, learners will be able to better:

• Assess emerging clinical data on bispecific antibodies and co-stimulatory immune modulators highlighted at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO)-Immuno-Oncology (IO) Congress for their relevance to the evolving treatment paradigm in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC)
• Interpret the safety and efficacy profiles of novel immuno-oncology agents from European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO)-Immuno-Oncology (IO) data to inform future therapeutic decision-making in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC)

This activity is supported by Creative Educational Concepts.

Medical oncologists, thoracic oncologists, nurse practitioners (NPs), physician associates (PAs), and nurses

It is the policy of CE Concepts, LLC, to ensure independence, balance, objectivity, and scientific rigor and integrity in all of their CE activities. Faculty must disclose to the participants any relationships with commercial companies whose products or devices may be mentioned in faculty presentations, or with the commercial supporter of this CE activity. CE Concepts, LLC, has evaluated, identified, and mitigated any potential conflicts of interest through a rigorous content validation procedure, use of evidence-based data/research, and a multidisciplinary peer review process. The following information is for participant information only. It is not assumed that these relationships will have a negative impact on the presentations.

Dr. Paz-Ares Rodriguez reports the following financial relationships:

Consultant: Abbvie Inc.; AstraZeneca; Bayer; Bristol Myers Squibb Company; Daiichi Sankyo; Gilead Sciences, Inc.; GSK; Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Lilly; Merck KGaA (Darmstadt, Germany); Mirati Therapeutics, Inc.; MSD Pharmaceuticals; Novartis Pharmaceuticals; Pfizer Inc.; PharmaMar; Sanofi; Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.; Roche; Sanofi; and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited

Grants: AstraZeneca; Bristol Myers Squibb Company; MSD Pharmaceuticals; and Pfizer Inc.

Speakers Bureau: AstraZeneca; Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Merck KGaA (Darmstadt, Germany); Mirati Therapeutics, Inc.; and Sanofi

The following individuals have no financial relationships to disclose:

Alaa Bawaneh, MD, PhD (Peer Reviewer)
Jessica Giddens, DNP, APRN, FPMHNP-BC, RN-BC (Peer Reviewer)
Thomas Mitchell, MSW, LSW (Planning Committee)
David Modrak, PhD (Planning Committee)
Scott J. Hershman, MD, FACEHP, CHCP (Planning Committee)
Sandra Caballero, PharmD (Planning Committee)
Sharon Tordoff (Planning Committee)

*All identified conflicts of interest have been mitigated.

Unlabeled Use Disclosure
Faculty of this CME/CE activity may include discussions of products or devices that are not currently labeled for use by the FDA. The faculty have been informed of their responsibility to disclose to the audience if they will be discussing off-label or investigational uses (any uses not approved by the FDA) of products or devices. CE Concepts, LLC, the faculty, planners, and reviewers do not endorse the use of any product outside of the FDA labeled indications. Medical professionals should not utilize the procedures, products, or diagnosis techniques discussed during this activity without evaluation of their patient for contraindications or dangers of use.