Veliparib in Combination With Platinum-Based Chemotherapy for First-Line Treatment of Advanced Squamous Cell Lung Cancer: A Randomized, Multicenter Phase III Study

Squamous non–small-cell lung cancer (sqNSCLC) has limited therapeutic options. This phase III study investigated the poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor, veliparib, plus carboplatin and paclitaxel (C and P) versus placebo plus C and P (control) for advanced sqNSCLC, and explored outcomes with a potential gene-expression biomarker, LP52. Despite no benefit of adding veliparib to C and P in current smokers being observed, risk of death was decreased by 34% in the LP52+ population with veliparib versus placebo. These findings indicate that this biomarker-defined subgroup may derive greater benefit from poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibition and support the use of biomarkers to identify treatment-sensitive subgroups.