Durvalumab as consolidation therapy in non-small cell lung cancer: efficacy, safety, and long-term outcomes

Abstract

Lung cancer remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) comprising 85% of all lung cancer cases. Despite advancements in treatment, the prognosis for NSCLC remains poor, particularly in advanced stages. Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising strategy, with durvalumab, a high-affinity monoclonal antibody targeting PD-L1, showing potential as a consolidation therapy following chemoradiotherapy (cCRT) in patients with unresectable NSCLC. This review evaluates the efficacy and safety of durvalumab in combination with cCRT in NSCLC. A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and other databases was conducted, identifying seven studies involving 5045 participants. Results indicate significant improvements in progression-free survival and overall survival for durvalumab-treated patients compared to placebo, with durable benefits seen even beyond the 5-year follow-up. Durvalumab was generally well-tolerated, although adverse effects such as pneumonia and anemia were reported, particularly in older patients. The findings suggest that durvalumab may become a promising therapeutic option in unresectable stage III NSCLC, offering hope for improved survival and quality of life. However, long-term safety beyond 5 years, cost-effectiveness, and efficacy in older populations warrant further investigation.