Perioperative Systemic Therapies in Resectable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Opportunities and Challenges

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunotherapy
• Thoracic Surgery

Background:

• Recent immunotherapy advancements have significantly improved outcomes for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.
• This review focuses on the outcomes of preoperative immunotherapy in NSCLC treatment from 2020 to 2025.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize current literature on preoperative immunotherapy for NSCLC.
• To analyze treatment regimens, surgical outcomes, and adverse events associated with this approach.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies published between 2020 and 2025.
• Analysis of primary endpoints, surgical rates, R0 resection rates, and adverse events.
• Evaluation of surgery delays and cancellations in the context of preoperative immunotherapy.

Main Results:

• Key findings highlight the need for optimized patient selection and effective management of immune-related adverse events.
• Strategies to minimize surgical delays and cancellations are crucial for successful preoperative immunotherapy implementation.
• Minimally invasive surgeries and avoidance of pneumonectomies are identified as areas for improvement.

Conclusions:

• Optimizing patient selection and managing adverse events are critical for enhancing preoperative immunotherapy efficacy in NSCLC.
• Increasing the adoption of minimally invasive surgical techniques and reducing pneumonectomies are priorities for improving patient outcomes.
• These strategies are essential for maximizing the benefits of immunotherapy in the surgical management of NSCLC.