Evolution of adjuvant therapy for NSCLC from 2014 to 2024

Abstract

Lung cancer is a relevant oncological disease with a high incidence rate and relatively modest treatment results. For a long time, adjuvant chemotherapy remained the only drug option for adjuvant treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) stages IB–IIIA. The necessity to discover new approaches to the adjuvant treatment of NSCLC is certainly associated with low overall survival results and a high risk of lung cancer relapse after chemotherapy alone. In the course of the evolution of knowledge about tumor biology, molecular mechanisms of cancer development and spread, two new areas of adjuvant therapy have emerged - targeted and immunotherapy. This review discusses phase III studies, the results of which demonstrated improved survival rates in patients who received innovative adjuvant therapy, which made it possible to introduce new options for adjuvant therapy for NSCLC into clinical practice. The timeframes for the implementation of these options in practical recommendations are also reflected.