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Home › Conditions › non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer

Non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer

Part of Cancer

4 published articles · Updated continuously

Clinical Trial Landscape

Clinical Trials for non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer

38 trials tracked for non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer: 11 in phase 3 or 4 and 5 with published results. The most-cited published study has 268 citations.

38Trials tracked
11Phase 3 & 4
0Recruiting
5With published results
Phase distribution
Phase 4 2 Phase 3 9 Phase 2 16 Phase 1 2 Other / NA 9
  1. Phase 4 A Study of Avastin (Bevacizumab) in Combination With Platinum-Containing Chemotherapy in Patients With Advanced or Recurrent Non-Squamous Cell Lung Cancer. Completed · 268 cited
  2. Phase 3 A Study of Bevacizumab in Combination With Standard of Care Treatment in Participants With Advanced Non-squamous Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Completed · 46 cited
  3. Phase 3 A Study of Atezolizumab Compared With Docetaxel in Participants With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Who Have Failed Platinum-Containing Therapy Completed · 30 cited
  4. Phase 3 Study Comparing Veliparib Plus Carboplatin and Paclitaxel Versus Investigator's Choice of Standard Chemotherapy in Adults Receiving First Cytotoxic Chemotherapy for Metastatic or Advanced Non-Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) and Who Are Current or Former Smokers Completed · 30 cited
  5. Phase 3 A Study of Atezolizumab in Combination With Carboplatin + Paclitaxel or Carboplatin + Nab-Paclitaxel Compared With Carboplatin + Nab-Paclitaxel in Participants With Stage IV Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) [IMpower131] Completed · 24 cited
  6. Phase 4 A Study of Tarceva (Erlotinib) in First Line in Patients With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Lung Adenocarcinoma With EGFR Mutations Completed
Show 32 more trials
  1. Phase 3 A Comparative Study of BAT1706 and EU Avastin® in Patients With Advanced Non Squamous Non Small Cell Lung Cancer Completed
  2. Phase 3 AVAPERL1 Study: A Study of Avastin (Bevacizumab) With or Without Pemetrexed as Maintenance Therapy After Avastin in First Line in Patients With Non-Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Completed
  3. Phase 3 A Study of First-line Maintenance Erlotinib Versus Erlotinib at Disease Progression in Participants With Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Who Have Not Progressed Following Platinum-Based Chemotherapy Completed
  4. Phase 3 A Study of Tarceva (Erlotinib) or Placebo in Combination With Platinum-Based Therapy as First Line Treatment in Patients With Advanced or Recurrent Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Completed
  5. Phase 3 Efficacy Study of Avastin® With Pemetrexed +/- Carboplatin to Treat Elderly Patients With Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Completed
  6. Phase 2 A Study of Paclitaxel/Carboplatin With or Without CDP791 in Patients With Lung Cancer Completed
  7. Phase 2 A Study of Tarceva (Erlotinib) as First Line Therapy in Participants With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Harbouring Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Mutations Completed
  8. Phase 2 A Study of Erlotinib in Participants With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer With Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutations Completed
  9. Phase 2 A Study of Tarceva (Erlotinib) and Gemcitabine in Treatment-Naive Patients With Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Completed
  10. Phase 2 A Study of Necitumumab and Chemotherapy in Participants With Stage IV Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Completed
  11. Phase 2 A Study of Tarceva (Erlotinib) in Patients With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (TRIGGER) Completed
  12. Phase 2 A Study on the Correlation Between Tarceva (Erlotinib) - Induced Rash and Efficacy in EGFR Mutated Participants With Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Receiving First-Line Therapy Completed
  13. Phase 2 A Study of Avastin (Bevacizumab) in Combination With Gemcitabine With or Without Cisplatin in First-Line Treatment of Elderly Patients With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Completed
  14. Phase 2 A Study to Assess the Incidence of EGFR Mutation in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Locally Advanced or Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in the UK, And of Tarceva (Erlotinib) as First-Line Therapy in EGFR Mutation Positive Patients. Completed
  15. Phase 2 Study of Avelumab and Cetuximab Plus Gemcitabine and Cisplatin in Participants With NSCLC Completed
  16. Phase 2 A Study of Tarceva (Erlotinib) in Patients With Locally Advanced, Metastatic or Recurrent Non-Small Cell Cancer Who Present Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutations Completed
  17. Phase 2 A Study of Metronidazole Cream in the Prevention and Treatment of Tarceva (Erlotinib)-Associated Rash Completed
  18. Phase 2 A Study of Erlotinib [Tarceva] as Monotherapy or Intermittent Dosing With Docetaxel in Patients With Advanced or Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. (TALISMAN) Completed
  19. Phase 2 A Study of Erlotinib (Tarceva) in Participants With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Completed
  20. Phase 2 Phase II Trial of Carboplatin and Pemetrexed +/- OGX-427 in Untreated Stage IV Non-Squamous-Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Completed
  21. Phase 2 A Study of Necitumumab in the First-Line Treatment of Stage IV Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Completed
  22. Phase 1 A Study to Test Different Doses of BI 836880 Combined With Ezabenlimab in Patients With Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Followed by Other Types of Advanced Solid Tumours Completed
  23. Phase 1 Anlotinib Hydrochloride Combined With AP in Stage IIIB/IIIC/IV Non-squamous Non-small-cell Lung Cancer Completed
  24. N/A The Study Observes Afatinib as First-line Treatment in Patients With Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Mutation-positive Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Completed
  25. N/A An Observational Study of Erlotinib (Tarceva) as Second-line Treatment in Patients With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Non-small Cell Lung Cancer After Failure of Pemetrexed in First-line Therapy Completed
  26. N/A An Observational Study of Tarceva (Erlotinib) in Elderly Patients With Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Completed
  27. N/A Non-interventional Study for Real-world Data of Afatinib Treatment in First-line Setting and of Subsequent Therapies for Patients With Advanced Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Mutation-positive Lung Adenocarcinoma Completed
  28. N/A A Study in the United States Using Electronic Medical Records (EMR) to Assess Effectiveness of Afatinib (Gilotrif) Following Pembrolizumab and Chemotherapy in the Treatment of Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Lung Completed
  29. N/A An Observational Study of Tarceva (Erlotinib) in Participants With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Adenocarcinoma Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (ELEMENT) Completed
  30. N/A Safety and Efficacy Study of Avastin in Locally Advanced Metastatic or Recurrent Non-small Lung Cancer (NSLC) Participants Completed
  31. N/A Real-World Effectiveness of Afatinib (Gilotrif) Following Immunotherapy in the Treatment of Metastatic, Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Lung: A Multi-Site Retrospective Chart Review Study in the U.S. Completed
  32. N/A The Study Observes How Long Patients With Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Benefit From Treatment With Epidermal Growth Factor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) When Given Either for Uncommon Mutations or for Common Mutations in the Sequence Afatinib Followed by Osimertinib Completed

Showing the 38 most-cited and recently-updated of 38 trials. Browse the full registry →

Trial data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. Counts describe the research landscape and are not a treatment recommendation. Informational only — not medical advice.

What the trials found For clinicians

Non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer: what the trials found

Several targeted and immunotherapeutic agents have been evaluated for non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer. Erlotinib demonstrated a best overall response in specific cohorts 2, with 82.5% of participants alive at one year 2. In other studies, erlotinib showed an objective response rate of 63.3% 15 and clinical benefit (CR, PR, or SD) for at least 12 weeks in 31.4% of patients 19. Additionally, erlotinib was associated with varying rates of rash based on severity grade 20, while progression-free survival (PFS) correlated significantly with the grade of rash 16.

Atezolizumab showed significant improvements in progression-free survival (PFS) compared to other cohorts (p=0.0006) 6. In another trial, Atezolizumab demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in overall survival (OS) over placebo (p=0.0003) 5. Necitumumab also showed clinical activity, with an objective response rate of 51.1% in one cohort and a disease control rate of 87.2% in another [14, 21].

Bevacizumab was evaluated in various settings; while it showed significant improvement in progression-free survival during maintenance treatment (p<0.001) 10, other trials involving bevacizumab alone or in combination with pemetrexed did not reach statistical significance for overall survival or progression-free survival [3, 8]. Platinum-based chemotherapy remains a standard established intervention 1.

Recent results — preliminary, needs further review

  • Avelumab showed a confirmed best objective response (BOR) of 34.9% in a small cohort 13. Carboplatin was evaluated for tumor response rate but did not reach statistical significance 12. OGX-427 is currently under investigation and has not been corroborated as an established finding 18.

For the clinician treating this condition

  • Atezolizumab demonstrated statistically significant improvements in both progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) compared to control groups [5, 6].
  • Necitumumab showed high disease control rates (up to 87.2%) and significant objective response rates in clinical trials [14, 21].
  • Erlotinib is associated with varying degrees of efficacy and specific side effects like rash, which may correlate with progression-free survival outcomes [16, 20].

AI synthesis of 12 cited trials, updated Jun 29, 2026. Informational only — not medical advice; trial data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. How we use AI.

HCP Mode — summaries include clinical detail, trial data, and statistical outcomes.
Patient Mode — summaries use plain language, avoiding clinical jargon.
Network meta-analysis of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 regimens in advanced non-squamous NSCLC without EGFR or ALK alterations
Pulmonology & Critical Care Meta-analysis
Network meta-analysis of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 regimens in advanced non-squamous NSCLC without EGFR or ALK alterations New drugs beat old ones for advanced lung cancer survival
This systematic review and network meta-analysis evaluated overall survival and progression-free survival across 15 Phase III randomized cli…
New drug combinations show better survival chances for advanced lung cancer patients whether their tumors express PD-L1 or not
May 1, 2026
Deep hyperthermia with tislelizumab and chemotherapy in advanced squamous NSCLC
Oncology Cohort
Deep hyperthermia with tislelizumab and chemotherapy in advanced squamous NSCLC Deep Heat Plus Drug Boosts Lung Cancer Response Rates
This retrospective cohort study of 100 patients with advanced squamous NSCLC evaluated deep hyperthermia combined with tislelizumab and chem…
Adding deep heat to standard lung cancer treatment improved response rates significantly while keeping safety levels the same as standard ch…
Frontiers Apr 30, 2026
Camrelizumab Associated With Higher Progression Risk Versus Pembrolizumab in Nonsquamous NSCLC Cohort
Oncology Cohort
Camrelizumab Associated With Higher Progression Risk Versus Pembrolizumab in Nonsquamous NSCLC Cohort Sintilimab May Be Safer Lung Cancer Treatment
This retrospective cohort study evaluated 409 patients with stage IIIB-IV non-small cell lung cancer receiving PD-1 inhibitors.
One lung cancer drug may cause fewer serious side effects than others while working just as well, a real-world study suggests.
Frontiers Apr 28, 2026
Pemetrexed use associated with disproportionate reporting of blood, endocrine, and renal disorders in FAERS data
Rheumatology Cohort
Pemetrexed use associated with disproportionate reporting of blood, endocrine, and renal disorders in FAERS data Your Lung Cancer Drug May Have Side Effects Not on the Label
This pharmacovigilance study analyzed 27,098 pemetrexed-associated reports in the US FAERS database from 2004 to 2024.
A safety review of over 27,000 reports found that the lung cancer drug pemetrexed may cause side effects not currently listed on its officia…
Frontiers Apr 16, 2026

Research across Cancer

Related studies from across the Cancer family.

Evaluating Bevacizumab Addition to Atezolizumab Carboplatin and Pemetrexed in Nonsquamous NSCLC
Pulmonology & Critical Care RCT
Evaluating Bevacizumab Addition to Atezolizumab Carboplatin and Pemetrexed in Nonsquamous NSCLC Trial shows bevacizumab addition has mixed results for lung cancer
A Phase III trial assessed adding bevacizumab to a standard triplet regimen for advanced nonsquamous NSCLC, showing no significant OS improv…
A Phase 3 trial found that adding bevacizumab to a standard drug combination did not improve overall survival for most patients with advance…
Jul 26, 2026
EGFR and TP53 mutations linked to worse survival in sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma
ENT (Otolaryngology) Meta-analysis
EGFR and TP53 mutations linked to worse survival in sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma Genetic markers linked to survival in sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma
A meta-analysis of 25 retrospective cohort studies including 1194 patients with sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma found that EGFR and TP53 m…
Specific genetic mutations and protein levels can help doctors predict how patients with certain head and neck cancers will respond to treat…
Jul 25, 2026
Diverse therapeutic approaches including immunotherapy are utilized for patients with occult squamous cell carcinoma
Allergy & Immunology Meta-analysis
Diverse therapeutic approaches including immunotherapy are utilized for patients with occult squamous cell carcinoma Men and women show different patterns in squamous cell carcinoma
This systematic review of case reports examines clinical characteristics and treatment strategies for patients with occult squamous cell car…
New data shows that men and women experience different locations for lymph node spread in certain types of skin cancer.
Frontiers Jul 25, 2026
Actinic keratosis increases melanoma risk while alcohol consumption is associated with lower squamous cell carcinoma risk
Genetics & Precision Medicine Meta-analysis
Actinic keratosis increases melanoma risk while alcohol consumption is associated with lower squamous cell carcinoma risk Actinic Keratosis Linked to Higher Risk of Melanoma
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New research identifies a link between actinic keratosis and melanoma risk while highlighting potential new targets for skin cancer treatmen…
Frontiers Jul 8, 2026
Sugar sweetened beverages and orange juice are associated with increased risk of several cancer types
Nutrition & Obesity Medicine Sys. Review
Sugar sweetened beverages and orange juice are associated with increased risk of several cancer types Sugar sweetened drinks may increase risk of several cancer types
This meta-analysis of 51 cohort studies evaluates the link between sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs), artificially sweetened beverages (ASBs)…
New research suggests a link between sugar-sweetened beverages and an increased risk of certain cancers, including pancreatic and colorectal…
medRxiv Jul 7, 2026
EGFR inhibitors show reproducible activity and manageable toxicity in locally advanced or metastatic anal squamous cell carcinoma
Oncology Meta-analysis
EGFR inhibitors show reproducible activity and manageable toxicity in locally advanced or metastatic anal squamous cell carcinoma EGFR Inhibitors Show Activity in Advanced Anal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
This meta-analysis of 404 patients evaluated EGFR inhibitors (cetuximab and panitumumab) for anal squamous cell carcinoma. The analysis foun…
New analysis shows that EGFR inhibitors like cetuximab and panitumumab may improve response rates for patients with advanced anal squamous c…
Jul 5, 2026
Trastuzumab deruxtecan and pyrotinib provide disease control in lung squamous cell carcinoma with ERBB2 mutation
Drug Pipeline Guideline
Trastuzumab deruxtecan and pyrotinib provide disease control in lung squamous cell carcinoma with ERBB2 mutation New Treatment Strategy Shows Promise for Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma
This case report describes a patient with stage IA2 lung squamous cell carcinoma and an ERBB2 exon 20 p.G776V mutation treated with trastuzu…
A new treatment plan using trastuzumab deruxtecan and pyrotinib showed promising results for a patient with a specific lung cancer mutation.
Frontiers Jun 21, 2026
Serplulimab plus chemotherapy improves overall survival compared to chemotherapy alone in nsq-NSCLC
Oncology RCT
Serplulimab plus chemotherapy improves overall survival compared to chemotherapy alone in nsq-NSCLC Trial shows serplulimab improves survival in certain lung cancers
This Phase III randomized controlled trial of 636 treatment-naïve patients with locally advanced or metastatic nsq-NSCLC found that serpluli…
A new clinical trial shows that adding serplulimab to chemotherapy can extend life for patients with specific types of non-small cell lung c…
Jun 18, 2026
Tislelizumab plus chemotherapy improves survival in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer
Pulmonology & Critical Care RCT
Tislelizumab plus chemotherapy improves survival in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer Immunotherapy combo extends survival in small cell lung cancer
This phase 3 RCT evaluated tislelizumab plus chemotherapy versus placebo plus chemotherapy in previously untreated extensive-stage small cel…
Adding tislelizumab to chemo helped people with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer live 2 months longer, a phase 3 trial shows.
Jun 7, 2026
Meta-analysis links baseline and dynamic ctDNA to survival in advanced NSCLC
Pulmonology & Critical Care Meta-analysis
Meta-analysis links baseline and dynamic ctDNA to survival in advanced NSCLC ctDNA in blood predicts survival in advanced lung cancer
This systematic review and meta-analysis of 43 studies found that detectable or elevated baseline plasma ctDNA was associated with worse ove…
A blood test for tumor DNA can predict survival in advanced lung cancer, helping guide treatment decisions.
Jun 4, 2026
Transitioning from static TNM staging to a multidimensional, adaptive treatment model integrating genomics and immunology for HPV-associated OPSCC
Allergy & Immunology Sys. Review
Transitioning from static TNM staging to a multidimensional, adaptive treatment model integrating genomics and immunology for HPV-associated OPSCC Doctors are shifting from static staging to adaptive care for HPV throat cancer
This narrative review discusses the evolving management of HPV-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. The authors argue for trans…
Medical teams are moving away from old staging rules toward a new model that uses genomics and immunology for precise care.
Frontiers Jun 1, 2026
Guideline-based case report: neoadjuvant alectinib in ALK-rearranged stage IIIB lung cancer
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Guideline-based case report: neoadjuvant alectinib in ALK-rearranged stage IIIB lung cancer One woman shows how alectinib shrinks lung cancer before surgery
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A single case shows alectinib shrinking lung cancer before surgery. This report offers hope for specific patients but needs more study.
Frontiers May 24, 2026

Questions about non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer

Does camrelizumab carry a higher progression risk than pembrolizumab in non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer?

Yes, in a real-world study, camrelizumab was linked to a higher risk of disease progression and death than pembrolizumab in nonsquamous NSCLC, especially in later lines of therapy.

Full answer →
Which anti-PD-1 regimen showed the best survival for non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer?

Prolgolimab plus chemotherapy showed the strongest overall survival benefit in a 2025 phase III trial, while network meta-analysis also ranked pembrolizumab and cemiplimab plus chemotherapy highly.

Full answer →