Anti‐PD‐1/PD‐L1 Immunotherapy as a Potential Treatment Option for Lung Cancer: A Perspective Analysis of Opportunities and Challenges

Background and Aims: Anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy has changed the treatment landscape of lung cancer. This new approach provides the ability to revitalize the immune system to specifically target and kill cancer cells, thereby creating a new treatment paradigm for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: In this study, relevant information was extracted from published articles available on PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The keywords "PD-1", "PD-L1", "Immunotherapy", and "NSCLC" were used to search for relevant information. Results: Despite the promise of durable responses to treatment and overall survival benefits, there are many challenges related to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapies, including immune escape, patient heterogeneity, and immune-related side effects. In this study, we discuss the rationale for targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis, the complex mechanism of immune activation and resistance, innovative ideas, and future directions for the field to enhance anti-PD-1/PD-L1 outcomes. Conclusion: Investigating resistance mechanisms and developing innovative treatment strategies are essential to optimize the clinical benefits of PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy for NSCLC.