Neoadjuvant therapy in non-small cell lung cancer
Christopher H. Grant, Garo Hagopian, Misako Nagasaka
Abstract
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) stages I-III were previously predominantly treated with surgery and chemotherapy. With the advent of Checkmate-816, neoadjuvant nivolumab and chemotherapy was FDA approved for the treatment of resectable NSCLC. There are several ongoing trials evaluating other neoadjuvant combinations of chemotherapy and immunotherapy as well as targeted therapies towards driver mutations. Here, we review previous clinical trials and discuss current ongoing trials’ potential benefits and challenges. • Neoadjuvant treatment with immunotherapy and chemotherapy is becoming prominent. • Neoadjuvant targeted therapy is a novel emerging therapy that can target oncogenic mutations and rearrangements. • Specific biomarkers such as ctDNA are being tested to help guide treatment.