Continuous immunotherapy beyond disease progression in patients with advanced non-small cell and small cell lung cancer

• DOI: 10.1007/s00262-025-03958-9
• Publication Date: 2025-02-25T14:15:38Z
• Authors: Jing Cheng; Wenwen Kang; Yueying Chen; Luyun Pan; Hedong Han; Tangfeng Lv
• Keywords: Cancer Immunotherapy

The benefits of continuing immunotherapy beyond disease progression in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small (SCLC) remain uncertain, along with the specific patient subgroups that may gain most from this approach. This retrospective study aims to evaluate efficacy approach identify target populations likely benefit. We collected data patients NSCLC SCLC who experienced following initial immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment January 2020 December 2023. Patients were categorized based on second-line treatment: those receiving (IBP) non-immunotherapy (NIBP). Survival outcomes safety compared between these two groups. A total 150 included, 111 (IBP: n = 78, NIBP: 33) 39 31, 8). Significant differences median progression-free survival (PFS) overall (OS) found driver gene-negative (mPFS: 4.7 vs 1.3 months, HR 0.29, P < 0.01; mOS: 11.03 2.63 0.13, 0.001) 3.9 2.1 0.38, 0.02; 9.28 2.27 0.23, 0.01). Additionally, among patients, achieving a partial response (PR) or stable (SD) during was associated improved effectiveness continued progression. Continued as benefit have progressed after immunotherapy.