Atezolizumab plus bevacizumab and chemotherapy in metastatic nonsquamous NSCLC: the randomized double-blind phase 3 IMpower151 trial

Nat Med. 2025 Jul;31(7):2375-2384. doi: 10.1038/s41591-025-03658-y. Epub 2025 May 16.

Abstract

After the global approval of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab and chemotherapy as first-line metastatic nonsquamous non-small-cell lung cancer (nsqNSCLC) treatment, the IMpower151 ( NCT04194203 ) trial was conducted in China to address regional differences. Chemotherapy-naive patients with metastatic nsqNSCLC (N = 305) were randomized 1:1 to receive either atezolizumab, bevacizumab, carboplatin and paclitaxel or pemetrexed (ABCPem/Pac; n = 152) or placebo plus bevacizumab, carboplatin and pemetrexed or paclitaxel (BCPem/Pac; n = 153). The primary endpoint was investigator-assessed progression-free survival (INV-PFS); secondary endpoints included subgroup analyses of INV-PFS, independent review facility-assessed PFS, overall survival, and investigator-assessed objective response rate and duration of response per RECIST v.1.1. Most patients (97%) received pemetrexed, and 53% had EGFR+ tumors. Median INV-PFS for ABCPem/Pac versus BCPem/Pac was 9.5 versus 7.1 months (stratified hazard ratio: 0.84; 95% confidence interval: 0.65, 1.09; P = 0.184). INV-PFS across subgroups and independent review facility-assessed PFS were consistent with INV-PFS in the intention-to-treat population. Median overall survival was 20.7 versus 18.7 months in the ABCPem/Pac versus BCPem/Pac arms, respectively (stratified hazard ratio: 0.93; 95% confidence interval: 0.67, 1.28). Confirmed objective response rate with ABCPem/Pac versus BCPem/Pac was 48% versus 50%, respectively; median duration of response was 11.3 versus 8.3 months. Adverse events of special interest for atezolizumab were observed in 68% (grades 3 and 4: 11%) and 71% (grades 3 and 4: 7%) of patients receiving ABCPem/Pac and BCPem/Pac, respectively. The most common adverse events of special interest for atezolizumab in the ABCPem/Pac and BCPem/Pac arms were hepatitis (driven by laboratory abnormalities; mostly low grade), hypothyroidism and rash. Overall, IMpower151 did not meet its primary endpoint (INV-PFS) in metastatic nsqNSCLC. ABCPem/Pac was generally well tolerated, with no new safety signals. Trial registration number: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02366143.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Clinical Trial, Phase III
  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized* / administration & dosage
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized* / adverse effects
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized* / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols* / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols* / therapeutic use
  • Bevacizumab* / administration & dosage
  • Bevacizumab* / adverse effects
  • Bevacizumab* / therapeutic use
  • Carboplatin / administration & dosage
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* / mortality
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* / pathology
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Lung Neoplasms* / mortality
  • Lung Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Paclitaxel / administration & dosage
  • Pemetrexed / administration & dosage
  • Progression-Free Survival

Substances

  • atezolizumab
  • Bevacizumab
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Pemetrexed
  • Paclitaxel
  • Carboplatin

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT02366143