Multidisciplinary approach for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): 2023 expert consensus of the Spanish Lung Cancer Group GECP

INTRODUCTION

Recent advances in the treatment of locally advanced NSCLC have led to changes in the standard of care for this disease. For the selection of the best approach strategy for each patient, it is necessary the homogenization of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, as well as the promotion of the evaluation of patients by a multidisciplinary oncology team.

OBJECTIVE

Development of an expert consensus document with suggestions for the approach and treatment of locally advanced NSCLC leaded by Spanish Lung Cancer Group GECP.

METHODS

Between March and July 2023, a panel of 28 experts was formed. Using a mixed technique (Delphi/nominal group) under the guidance of a coordinating group, consensus was reached in 4 phases: 1. Literature review and definition of discussion topics 2. First round of voting 3. Communicating the results and second round of voting 4. Definition of conclusions in nominal group meeting. Responses were consolidated using medians and interquartile ranges. The threshold for agreement was defined as 85% of the votes.

RESULTS

New and controversial situations regarding the diagnosis and management of locally advanced NSCLC were analyzed and reconciled based on evidence and clinical experience. Discussion issues included: molecular diagnosis and biomarkers, radiologic and surgical diagnosis, mediastinal staging, role of the multidisciplinary thoracic committee, neoadjuvant treatment indications, evaluation of response to neoadjuvant treatment, postoperative evaluation, and follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Consensus clinical suggestions were generated on the most relevant scenarios such as diagnosis, staging and treatment of locally advanced lung cancer, which will serve to support decision-making in daily practice.

Neoadjuvant immunotherapy in non-small-cell lung cancer: Times are changing—and fast

Recent data from a phase 3 trial have shown that the addition of immunotherapy to neoadjuvant chemotherapy improves event-free survival in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This is the first positive phase 3 trial in this setting, although several phase 3 trials are currently investigating the efficacy of neoadjuvant and adjuvant immunotherapy in resectable NSCLC.

Outcomes of surgical resection after neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy in locally advanced stage IIIA non-small-cell lung cancer

OBJECTIVES

This analysis aimed to evaluate perioperative outcomes of surgical resection following neoadjuvant treatment with chemotherapy plus nivolumab in resectable stage IIIA non-small-cell lung cancer.

METHODS

Eligible patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (paclitaxel + carboplatin) plus nivolumab for 3 cycles. Reassessment of the tumour was carried out after treatment and patients with at least stable disease as best response underwent pulmonary resection. After surgery, patients received adjuvant treatment with nivolumab for 1 year. Surgical data were collected from the NADIM database and patient charts were reviewed for additional surgical details.

RESULTS

Among 46 patients who received neoadjuvant treatment, 41 (89.1%) underwent surgery. Two patients rejected surgery and 3 did not fulfil resectability criteria. There were 35 lobectomies (85.3%), 3 of which were sleeve lobectomies (9.4%), 3 bilobectomies (7.3%) and 3 pneumonectomies (7.3%). Video-assisted thoracoscopy was the initial approach in 51.2% of cases, with a conversion rate of 19% (n = 4). There was no operative mortality at either 30 or 90 days. The most common complications were prolonged air leak (n = 8), pneumonia (n = 5) and arrhythmia (n = 4). Complete resection (R0) was achieved in all patients who underwent surgery, downstaging was observed in 37 patients (90.2%) and major pathological response in 34 patients (82.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical resection following induction therapy with chemotherapy plus nivolumab appears to be safe and offers appropriate oncological outcomes. Perioperative morbidity and mortality rates in our study were no higher than previously reported in this setting. A minimally invasive approach is, therefore, feasible.