Outcomes of immune checkpoint inhibitors for postoperative recurrence of non-small cell lung cancer

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are effective treatment options for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, there is a dearth of data on outcomes of patients receiving ICIs for postoperative recurrence. The objective of this study was to investigate the short- and long-term outcomes of patients who received ICIs for postoperative recurrence.

A retrospective chart review was performed to identify consecutive patients who received ICIs for postoperative recurrence of NSCLC. We investigated therapeutic responses, adverse events, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Survival outcomes were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed using the Cox proportional hazards model.

Eighty-seven patients, with a median age of 72 years were identified between 2015 and 2022. The median follow-up period after ICI initiation was 13.1 months. Adverse events of grade ≥ 3 were observed in 29 (33.3%) patients, including 17 (19.5%) patients with immune-related adverse events. The median PFS and OS of the whole cohort were 3.2 and 17.5 months, respectively. Limited to those receiving ICIs as first-line therapy, the median PFS and OS were 6.3 and 25.0 months, respectively. On multivariable analysis, smoking history (HR: 0.29, 95% CI 0.10–0.83) and non-squamous cell histology (HR: 0.25, 95% CI 0.11–0.57) were associated with more favorable PFS in patients receiving ICIs as first-line treatment.

Outcomes in patients receiving ICIs as first-line treatment appear acceptable. A multi-institutional study is required to confirm our findings.