Surgical strategies and outcomes after induction therapy for non-small cell lung cancer

Surgery as the sole therapy for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is usually not curative. Adjuvant chemotherapy has been evaluated by several randomized Phase III trials and found to confer a survival benefit over surgery alone for stage IB-IIIA NSCLC. Induction therapy applies a cytoreductive and systemic therapy before definitive locoregional therapy. Theoretical advantages include improved diffusion of chemotherapy agents into the tumor, improved compliance, and a higher complete resection rate. Results from multiple Phase II and III studies have been encouraging, but the role of surgery after induction therapy remains inconclusively defined. Randomized trials are underway to better define the role of induction therapy, and enrollment of patients into such trials should be encouraged.