Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths, and surgery is commonly used to remove cancerous cells from the lungs. Recent research has focused on finding the best treatment options to improve survival rates after surgery. A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that using immunotherapy both before and after surgery may increase survival rates compared to only using chemotherapy before surgery. Non-small cell carcinoma (NSCLC) is a common type of lung cancer, often caused by smoking. Treatment for NSCLC may involve removing parts of the lung followed by chemotherapy or radiation.
Immunotherapy is a common treatment for lung cancer, and researchers are looking at ways to combine it with other therapies to improve outcomes. The CheckMate 75T trial, which was a phase three, double-blind study, examined the use of the immunotherapy treatment nivolumab in participants with operable non-small cell lung cancer who had not received previous systemic anticancer treatment. The study found that participants who received nivolumab and chemotherapy before surgery, followed by nivolumab after surgery, had better event-free survival rates compared to those who only received chemotherapy. The group that received nivolumab also had a higher number of complete and major pathological responses.
The study offers hope for improving survival rates for individuals with resectable non-small cell lung cancer. The use of nivolumab in combination with chemotherapy before and after surgery significantly extended event-free survival compared to using chemotherapy alone. This approach can also increase the pathological response without raising safety concerns. Despite the promising results, the study had limitations including focusing on a specific cancer type, low participation rates completing a full year of nivolumab treatment, and underrepresentation of certain demographic groups which could impact the generalizability of the findings.
The burden of lung cancer is substantial globally, and new treatment options like immunotherapy are showing promise in increasing survival rates among individuals with this disease. The study’s results indicate that using immunotherapy before and after surgery can significantly improve event-free survival rates and may change treatment practices in the near future for those with resectable non-small cell lung cancer. More research is needed to include a more diverse population to ensure these findings can be applied to a wider range of individuals with lung cancer. Overall, the study represents a significant step forward in improving outcomes for individuals with this deadly form of cancer.
