Journal Article

DKFZ-2026-00930

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Neoadjuvant Atezolizumab and Chemotherapy for Non-Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Efficacy and Safety Results of an Open-Label, Single-Arm, Phase II Trial.

Niedermaier, B. (First author)DKFZ* ; Bochtler, T. ; Eichhorn, F. ; Griffo, R. ; Klotz, L. V. ; Allgäuer, M. ; Stenzinger, A. ; Bischoff, H. ; Schneider, M. A. ; Christopoulos, P. ; Haberkorn, U.DKFZ* ; Heussel, C. P. ; Zoernig, I.DKFZ* ; Herth, F. J. F. ; Thomas, M. ; Rölle, A. ; Winter, H. ; Benner, A.DKFZ* ; Jaeger, D.DKFZ* ; Eichhorn, M. E.

2026
Wiley-Liss Bognor Regis

Abstract: Immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown promising results in the neoadjuvant treatment of resectable non-small cell lung cancer. This open-label, single-arm, prospective, monocentric trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant atezolizumab plus carboplatin/nab-paclitaxel in patients with resectable non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer. Patients with previously untreated, pathologically confirmed, non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer in stage II, IIIA, and select IIIB (T3N2 only) were treated with atezolizumab and carboplatin/nab-paclitaxel for 3 cycles followed by curative intent surgery. Major pathologic response (MPR) was defined as primary endpoint. 20 patients with histologically confirmed pulmonary adenocarcinoma in TNM-stage IIA (n = 1, 5%), stage IIB (n = 7, 35%), and stage IIIA (n = 12, 60%) were enrolled and treated according to the study protocol. 151 treatment-related adverse events were recorded, and 13 patients (65%) had treatment-related adverse events of grade 3 or higher. There were no grade 5 events. All patients underwent complete anatomical resection (R0). MPR was observed in 9 patients (45%), including 5 (25%) patients with complete pathological response. The proportion of remaining viable tumor showed a significant but weak association to the relative tumor size change in CT (p = 0.018) and the relative change in SUVmax (p = 0.006). In conclusion, neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy with atezolizumab achieved a promising MPR-rate of 45% while being well tolerated and allowing a safe and complete surgical resection. These results strongly support the further investigation of atezolizumab as preoperative therapy in resectable non-small cell lung cancer and underline the continued need to develop biomarkers of response.

Keyword(s): immunotherapy ; lung cancer ; neoadjuvant ; pathologic response

Note: #EA:B200# / epub

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. B200 Systembiologie der Signaltransduktion (B200)
2. E060 KKE Nuklearmedizin (E060)
3. Angewandte Tumor-Immunität (D120)
4. C060 Biostatistik (C060)

Research Program(s):

1. 312 - Funktionelle und strukturelle Genomforschung (POF4-312) (POF4-312)

Appears in the scientific report 2026

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Database coverage:
; BIOSIS Previews ; Biological Abstracts ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Life Sciences ; DEAL Wiley ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF >= 5 ; JCR ; Nationallizenz ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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