Immunotherapy in Metastatic Malignant Melanoma and Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer; a Brief Review and Position Statement from the Immuno-Oncology Clinical Forum (IOCF), Iran

Given the unmet needs in cancer treatment, extensive research and development has evolved to offer therapies for cancers to extend survival and minimize side effects. Immunotherapy, an approach to harness normal immune cells against cancers not only today’s breakthrough but in fact the future of oncology therapeutics. Taking into consideration the recent approvals for new lines of therapy including anti-programmed-death-1 or programmed-death-1 ligand (PD-1/PD-L1) monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of Malignant Melanoma (MM) and Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), local strategies need to be established following the field experts’ concurrence. Expert input forums are among the key approaches to define locally-adapted clinical-pathways with regard to the novel treatments. To this end, a panel of Iranian medical oncology experts reviewed the available evidence, taking into consideration recent practice guidelines with regard to the treatment of MM and NSCLC in order to draw an agreed-upon approach highlighting the position of immunotherapy in their current practice. Having addressed the key questions and considering the possible limitations and challenges, the panel could reach an agreed position. This report highlights the discussions with regards to the role of immunotherapy in MM and NSCLC during the immune-oncology clinical forum (IOCF) comprising an Iranian panel of experts.