Expert consensus on immune checkpoint inhibitors for non-small cell lung cancer

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common pathological type of lung cancer, characterized by high morbidity and mortality. Traditional treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, have long been the mainstay of management. However, the advent of targeted therapy and immunotherapy, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) such as anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies, has significantly improved patient survival outcomes. These advancements have transformed the therapeutic landscape for early-stage, locally advanced, and advanced NSCLC without actionable gene mutations. Despite multiple ICIs being approved for clinical use, critical questions regarding the optimal beneficiary population and predictive biomarkers remain under investigation. To address these challenges, the Yangtze River Delta Lung Cancer Cooperation Group (ECLUNG; Youth Committee) has formulated an expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of NSCLC with ICIs. This consensus aims to provide standardized and evidence-based recommendations to optimize diagnostic precision and therapeutic decision-making in NSCLC.