Perioperative Management of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in the Era of Immunotherapy

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunotherapy
• Translational Medicine

Background:

• Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains a leading cause of cancer mortality globally.
• Advances in molecular understanding have led to targeted therapies and immunotherapies, significantly improving patient prognosis.
• Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are crucial for NSCLC without actionable mutations, while targeted therapies benefit those with specific mutations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the rationale for utilizing ICIs in the perioperative setting for resectable NSCLC.
• To evaluate the application of ICIs in advanced NSCLC disease.
• To compare the benefits and challenges of ICI implementation in various NSCLC settings.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on clinical trials and research regarding ICI use in NSCLC.
• Comparative analysis of ICI efficacy and safety in perioperative and advanced disease contexts.
• Exploration of current challenges and future directions in NSCLC treatment strategies.

Main Results:

• ICIs, often combined with chemotherapy, are effective for NSCLC patients lacking specific genetic mutations.
• Targeted therapies are indicated for patients with actionable genetic mutations.
• ICI use in perioperative settings and advanced disease shows promise but requires careful consideration of implementation challenges.

Conclusions:

• ICIs represent a significant advancement in NSCLC treatment, particularly for patients without targetable mutations.
• Balancing the benefits of ICIs against clinical implementation challenges is essential for optimizing patient care.
• Further development of novel treatment strategies is needed to provide optimal choices for advanced NSCLC patients.