How Do We Treat Early-Stage NSCLC in 2025?

Juhi Kunde, Director of Science and Research Marketing

Roughly 20% of lung cancer is diagnosed as early-stage disease, and researchers have been working to improve treatment options for these patients—with significant success.

Last September, as part of LUNGevity’s International Lung Cancer Survivorship Conference, we hosted a session on the progress in treating early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with Dr. Jarushka Naidoo of Beaumont RCSI Cancer Centre in Ireland and Dr. Amy Moore of LUNGevity Foundation.

In October, after this session took place, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of an immunotherapy drug, nivolumab, with chemotherapy for perioperative (before and after surgery) treatment of NSCLC. Many studies are underway to evaluate the use of immunotherapies and targeted therapies either before or after surgery in an effort to prevent disease recurrence.

The virtual International Lung Cancer Survivorship Conference is the place to learn about state-of-the-art treatments and cutting-edge developments in lung cancer from experts around the world. Sign up here to be notified when registration opens for the 2025 conference.

Introductions: 00:00–1:57

Learn more about the presenters.

Overview of the NSCLC Treatment Landscape: 1:58–7:28

Dr. Naidoo sets the stage for her talk and provides an overview of the current treatment approaches for NSCLC for each stage (I-IV) with a specific focus on early-stage disease.

Diving into the Data Supporting Adjuvant Treatment: 7:29–16:44

Dr. Naidoo shares key surgical principles and how surgical procedures for patients are being paired with chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and some targeted therapies for tumors with EGFR or ALK biomarkers.

Treating Lung Cancer Before Surgery: 16:45–40:16

Dr. Naidoo talks about cancer treatment that happens before surgery (called neoadjuvant treatment). Other cancer types are treated this way, and now we know enough about important neoadjuvant studies to improve outcomes for people living with lung cancer (including tumors with EGFR biomarkers).

How Tumor Boards Work and Answers to Other FAQs: 40:17–56:56

Dr. Naidoo’s closing remarks explain how multidisciplinary teams (sometimes called tumor boards) work together to create a comprehensive, coordinated care plan for people living with lung cancer.

Make sure to stick around for the Q&A session at the end with Dr. Moore and Dr. Naidoo, who answer these questions:

What percentage of early-stage lung cancer can be “cured”?
What is the role of a liquid biopsy in early-stage lung cancer?
What are your thoughts on the duration of treatment for things like immunotherapy or targeted therapy?
How do we make sure that everyone, regardless of stage, gets comprehensive biomarker testing done?