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Cancer research

New Insights into Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Combination Therapy Approach

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Researchers from Kunming Medical University in China have published a review of the effects of anti-angiogenic therapy combined with immunotherapy and radiotherapy for the treatment of brain metastases in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The study aimed to provide ideas for the treatment of NSCLC with brain metastases. The authors noted that the penetration of tumor cells into the blood-brain barrier changes the function of cell junctions, leading to changes in the microenvironment of intracranial tumors. The combination of anti-angiogenic drugs, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy has shown promise in improving the survival rate in patients with brain metastases and reducing the risk of brain failure and nervous system mortality.

Key Takeaways:

  • The treatment of brain metastases from NSCLC is primarily systemic and local, but the therapeutic effects of various treatment methods on BMs are minimal.
  • The occurrence of BMs from NSCLC is a complex process involving the penetration of tumor cells into the blood-brain barrier and changes in the microenvironment of intracranial tumors.
  • Anti-angiogenic therapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy can affect the tumor immune microenvironment and improve the prognosis of patients with NSCLC and BMs.
  • The combination of anti-angiogenic drugs with immunotherapy and radiotherapy has shown promise in improving the survival rate in patients with BMs and reducing the risk of brain failure and nervous system mortality.
  • Anti-angiogenic therapy can regulate the immune checkpoint inhibitor-mediated microenvironment of intracranial tumors.
  • The study concluded that combining anti-angiogenic therapy with immunotherapy and radiotherapy may improve the prognosis of patients with NSCLC and BMs.

Statistics:

  • 30.3% of patients with NSCLC will develop brain metastases during their disease course (Oncology Letter, 2025;30(3)).
  • The five-year overall survival rate for patients with BMs from NSCLC is approximately 15% (Oncology Letter, 2025;30(3)).
  • The combination of anti-angiogenic drugs with immunotherapy and radiotherapy has shown a significant increase in overall survival rate in patients with BMs (Research Progress of Anti-angiogenic Therapy Combined With Immunotherapy and Radiotherapy for the Treatment of Brain Metastases In Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (Review), Oncology Letters, 2025;30(3)).

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Data from Kunming Medical University Provide New Insights into Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer [Research Progress of Anti-angiogenic Therapy Combined With Immunotherapy and Radiotherapy for the Treatment of Brain Metastases In Non-small Cell Lung ...]. Immunotherapy Weekly. September 3, 2025; p 714.
  • Research Progress of Anti-angiogenic Therapy Combined With Immunotherapy and Radiotherapy for the Treatment of Brain Metastases In Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (Review). Oncology Letters, 2025;30(3).

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