Outcomes of Stage IIIa and Well-Selected Stage IIIb or Oligometastatic Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancers Managed by Multimodal Therapy Including Immunotherapy and Surgery

Abstract

Abstract Background Resectable locally advanced non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) are managed by multimodal approaches including systemic therapies followed by surgery. The recent inclusion of immunotherapy in neoadjuvant protocols has significantly improved tumor responses. In selected situations, bulky N2, N3 or oligometastatic NSCLCs with treated metastasis have shown excellent regression following chemo-immunotherapy and could be considered for surgery. Aims We here compare the oncological outcomes of stage IIIA (single N2) with stage IIIB (bulky N2, N3) or oligometastatic stage IV NSCLCs managed by chemo-immunotherapy followed by surgery. Methods We reviewed all patients treated in our institution between April 2017 and June 2022 for a locally advanced or oligometastatic NSCLC with chemo-immunotherapy followed by surgery in our prospectively collected database. We recorded, for each patient, the clinico-pathological characteristics, perioperative complications and oncological outcomes. Results Forty-eight patients (27 single station N2 stage IIIA (group 1) and 21 bulky N2, N3 or oligometastatic NSCLC (group 2)) were identified. Patient characteristics were comparable between groups. Surgery consisted in lobectomy (81%), bilobectomy (17%) or pneumonectomy (2%). Complete resection was achieved in 46 (95%) patients with R1 resection in two patients due to lymph node effraction. Complete tumor pathological response was achieved in 26% in group 1 and 33% in group 2. Postoperative morbidity was 48% in group 1 and 81% in group 2 (p=0.05). There was no mortality. Median follow-up was 16 months (IQR: 9-32). Progression-free survival was 6 months (IQR: 3-18) in group 1 and 5 months (IQR: 2-7) in group 2 (p=0.04). Overall recurrence rate was 40% (comparable between groups (p=0.08)) and consisted, in majority, of distant metastasis. Overall survival was comparable between groups (p=0.05). Conclusions The inclusion of immunotherapy in induction protocols has improved tumor response and allowed to consider advanced NSCLCs for surgical resection with good postoperative and oncological outcomes.