Neoadjuvant immunotherapy for patients with non-small cell lung cancer : current evidence

Shu and colleagues (1) made a significant contribution to a growing body of evidence for the utilization of immunotherapy in the neoadjuvant setting for patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer (Table 1) (2-4). Of 39 assessed patients, 31 were commenced on treatment consisting of Atezolizumab with nab-paclitaxel and carboplatin. After excluding two patients with colorectal cancer and brain metastasis, 29 underwent surgery with a curative intent. At the time of operation, three patients were deemed unresectable, with 26 patients achieving R0 resection. There was one (3%) mortality from pneumonia and respiratory failure, with major perioperative complications mostly related to neutropenia, liver dysfunction, and thrombocytopenia. Pathological analysis of resected specimens reported that 57% of the intention-to-treat population had major pathological response (MPR), including 33% who had pathological complete response (PCR).