Integrated management of stage III in nonsmall cell lung cancer: where do perioperative chemotherapy and immunotherapy fit?

Curr Opin Pulm Med. 2024 Jul 1;30(4):346-351. doi: 10.1097/MCP.0000000000001079. Epub 2024 May 7.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Early-stage nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 30% of the total NSCLC, being the stage III a heterogeneous disease that represents a challenge in the management of these patients. Multidisciplinary approach is essential for an adequate treatment strategy, with surgery being the only curative treatment. Neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy has been the standard of care for a long period, with modest results.

Recent findings: Combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy has revolutionized the neoadjuvant setting of resectable NSCLC, improving pathologic complete responses and survival outcomes in this scenario. Furthermore, perioperative treatment with immunotherapy has also recently shown promising results in several phase III trials.

Summary: The landscape of early-stage resectable NSCLC has evolved in recent years, with an improvement in the survival of these patients since the incorporation of immunotherapy in this scenario.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* / therapy
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy* / methods
  • Lung Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Lung Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Neoadjuvant Therapy* / methods
  • Neoplasm Staging*
  • Perioperative Care / methods