Chemotherapy-free radiotherapy combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors: a new regimen for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer?

ABSTRACT: Maintenance immunotherapy after concurrent chemoradiotherapy remains the standard therapeutic approach in patients with unresectable locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC). The efficacy of pembrolizumab without chemotherapy in stage IV NSCLC has incited interest in similar approaches for LA-NSCLC. Several recent investigations involving the synergistic potential of immunotherapy combined with radiotherapy (iRT) have generated encouraging results. This review discusses the existing studies and prospective directions of chemotherapy-free iRT strategies in unresectable LA-NSCLC. Although the initial findings of chemotherapy-free iRT strategies have shown promising efficacy, we must consider the methodologic limitations of current studies and the myriad of challenges that accom

SUBMITTER: Ma L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10845940 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature