Early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer: emerging treatments and evolving challenges

The Lancet Respiratory Medicine 2026 Open access

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Authors: Jordi Remon, Tina Cascone, Stephanie P L Saw, Nikolaj Frost, Molly S C Li, Lizza E L Hendriks, Antonin Levy, Alessandro Di Federico, Jamie E. Chaft, Karim Abdelhamid, Mark Awad, Giannis Mountzios
+1 more Solange Peters
DOI: 10.1016/s2213-2600(26)00221-3
Cited by: 1
References: 122

Abstract

The treatment of early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has evolved substantially in recent years. For decades, curative-intent surgery followed by platinum-based chemotherapy remained the standard of care (SOC), despite delivering only modest gains in long-term survival. Current evidence from randomised trials incorporating immunotherapy as a neoadjuvant or perioperative approach, along with targeted therapies, have defined a new SOC treatment approach for patients with resectable early-stage NSCLC. However, these advances have introduced uncertainties regarding optimal sequencing, treatment duration, patient selection, and the role of treatment escalation or de-intensification with immunotherapy and targeted therapies. The advances and uncertainties are discussed in this Series paper, along with the role of radiotherapy in this setting.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Lung Cancer Treatments and Mutations Lung Cancer Research Studies Lung Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

Publication details

Journal / source
The Lancet Respiratory Medicine
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Volume
14
Issue
10
Pages
894-913
Publication date
1 September 2026
Language
EN