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Updated: Jun 2, 2026
07:29
Intramucosal Inoculation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells in Mice for Tumor Immune Profiling and Treatment Response Assessment
Published on: April 22, 2019
Maintenance therapy in NSCLC: why? To whom? Which agent?
Silvia Novello1, Michele Milella, Marcello Tiseo
1Thoracic Oncology Unit, University of Turin, AOU, San Luigi Orbassano, Italy. silvia.novello@unito.it
Summary
Maintenance therapy is a new strategy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Current data suggests tailoring these treatments to individual patients may optimize benefits and costs.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Maintenance therapy is an emerging strategy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
- Early trials on prolonged chemotherapy showed no survival benefit and increased toxicity.
- Several agents are now investigated for maintenance treatment with varied administration and toxicity profiles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically review available data on maintenance treatment in advanced NSCLC.
- To discuss tailoring maintenance therapy to individual patients.
- To optimize costs and benefits of diverse treatment options.
Main Methods:
- Review of available clinical trial data on maintenance therapy in NSCLC.
- Analysis of different maintenance strategies: continuation or switching of agents.
- Discussion of empirical choices in agent selection and duration.
Main Results:
- No comparative trials exist for maintenance with different chemotherapy or targeted agents.
- The choice and duration of maintenance agents are largely empirical.
- It remains unclear if maintenance therapy should be offered to all patients with partial/complete response or stable disease.
Conclusions:
- Maintenance therapy offers evolving treatment options for advanced NSCLC.
- Tailoring treatment to the individual patient is crucial for optimizing outcomes.
- Further research is needed to establish evidence-based guidelines for maintenance therapy selection and duration.
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