Role of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Ce dossier présente un ensemble d'articles concernant la prise en charge des cancers durant la crise sanitaire liée au COVID-19

Résumé en anglais

Introduction : Cancer patients are among the groups at high risk in the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, we aimed to determine the effectiveness of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) during the pandemic period and examine the prognostic factors in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Method : Patients with stage I-III NSCLC were treated in our hospitals between 2020-2022. Treatment responses were evaluated in patients who underwent NACT. Prognostic factors and the nutritional and inflammatory indexes were investigated.

Results : Thirty-eight patients received NACT. 57.9% of patients were stage-III. The objective response rate was 57.9%. Pathological complete response was obtained in 10.5% of patients. No prognostic role of inflammatory indices was determined. 21.1% of patients developed a COVID-19 infection. Disease-free survival was 19 months. Survival decreased with large tumor size and presence of metastasis.

Conclusion : NACT has high response rates. NACT can be used as bridging therapy in suitable patients whose surgery is postponed during the pandemic period.