Definitive radiotherapy for non-small-cell lung cancer: current practice and future directions

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Radiation Oncology

Background:

• Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment has rapidly advanced.
• Radiotherapy techniques like SBRT, IMRT, and particle therapy have evolved significantly.
• Immunotherapy and targeted therapies have altered NSCLC treatment paradigms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current clinical practice and future perspectives of radiotherapy in NSCLC.
• To explore the role of radiotherapy across different NSCLC disease stages.
• To highlight advancements in radiotherapy and their integration with systemic therapies.

Main Methods:

• Review of current clinical evidence and emerging perspectives in NSCLC radiotherapy.
• Summary of radiotherapy's role in early-stage, locally advanced, and oligometastatic NSCLC.
• Discussion of technological innovations and their impact on treatment strategies.

Main Results:

• SBRT and particle therapy are key curative options for early-stage NSCLC, especially in medically inoperable patients.
• Concurrent chemoradiotherapy followed by immunotherapy is an evolving strategy for locally advanced NSCLC.
• Radiotherapy shows promise as local consolidative therapy for oligometastatic NSCLC.

Conclusions:

• Radiotherapy is integral to multidisciplinary NSCLC management.
• Further research is needed to optimize radiotherapy sequencing and patient selection.
• Advancements in radiotherapy techniques are reducing toxicity and improving outcomes for NSCLC patients.