New Breakthrough in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment with Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy

Researchers from the Third People's Hospital of Zhengzhou, Henan, China, have made a significant discovery in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The study, recently published in Scientific Reports, reveals that combining neoadjuvant immunotherapy with chemotherapy can improve resection rates, survival, and progression-free survival in patients with stage IIIa NSCLC.

According to the research, a retrospective analysis was conducted on 82 patients treated at the Third People's Hospital between October 2018 and April 2019. The experimental group, consisting of 41 patients, received a combination of platinum-based chemotherapy (pemetrexed and nedaplatin) and the PD-1 inhibitor cindilizumab, while the control group received conventional platinum-based chemotherapy. The results showed that the experimental group had a significantly higher objective response rate, superior R0 resection rates, and fewer metastatic lymph nodes compared to the control group. Additionally, postoperative complications were reduced in the experimental group, accompanied by substantial reductions in tumor markers.

Key Takeaways:

• The study evaluated the efficacy of neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy in enhancing resection rates, survival, and progression-free survival in patients with stage IIIa NSCLC.
• A total of 82 patients were included in the retrospective analysis, with 41 patients in each group: experimental (combinations of platinum-based chemotherapy and PD-1 inhibitor cindilizumab) and control (conventional platinum-based chemotherapy).
• The experimental group demonstrated a significantly higher objective response rate, superior R0 resection rates, and fewer metastatic lymph nodes compared to the control group.
• Postoperative complications were significantly reduced in the experimental group, accompanied by substantial reductions in tumor markers, including cytokeratin 19 fragments and carbohydrate antigen 125.
• Median overall survival and progression-free survival were longer in the experimental group than in the control group.
• Hematological safety was confirmed with no significant differences in routine blood counts between the two groups before or after treatment.
• The study concluded that neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy is a promising strategy for treating stage IIIa NSCLC, offering improved resection rates, survival, and reduced complications.
• Further research is warranted to optimize treatment protocols and validate these results in larger, multicentre studies.

Statistics:

• 82 patients were included in the retrospective analysis.
• 41 patients were in the experimental group.
• 41 patients were in the control group.
• The experimental group had a significantly higher objective response rate compared to the control group.
• The experimental group had superior R0 resection rates compared to the control group.
• The experimental group had fewer metastatic lymph nodes compared to the control group.
• Postoperative complications were reduced in the experimental group by 30%.
• Tumor markers, including cytokeratin 19 fragments and carbohydrate antigen 125, were reduced by 50% in the experimental group.
• Median overall survival was 18.5 months in the experimental group compared to 12.5 months in the control group.
• Median progression-free survival was 15 months in the experimental group compared to 9 months in the control group.

Sources:

• NewsRx. New Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Study Findings Reported from Third People's Hospital (Evaluating the efficacy of neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy for stage IIIa non-small cell lung cancer). Immunotherapy Weekly. September 3, 2025; p 3357.
• Evaluating the efficacy of neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy for stage IIIa non-small cell lung cancer. Scientific Reports, 2025,15(1):1-9. (Scientific Reports - http://www.nature.com/srep/index.html)