platinum + etoposide + checkpoint inhibitor

This is a combination regimen consisting of a platinum-based chemotherapy agent (either cisplatin or carboplatin), etoposide (a topoisomerase II inhibitor), and an immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) such as atezolizumab or durvalumab. The regimen is primarily used as first-line therapy for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). Platinum agents cause DNA crosslinking and damage, leading to apoptosis in rapidly dividing cells. Etoposide inhibits topoisomerase II, preventing DNA repair and replication. Immune checkpoint inhibitors target proteins such as PD-1 or PD-L1 on tumor or immune cells, blocking inhibitory signals that prevent T-cell activation and thereby enhancing the anti-tumor immune response. This combination has demonstrated improved overall survival and progression-free survival compared to chemotherapy alone but is associated with increased risk of adverse events including immune-related toxicities[1][2][3][4][5][6].

Other names

platinum-etoposide plus immune checkpoint inhibitorEP + ICIplatinum-etoposide plus ICI