What is this trial about?

Patients who suffer from locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer are treated with chemo-therapy followed by surgery. Unfortunately, the cancer returns in slightly more than half of the patients within the first year of diagnosis. 

In trial SAKK 16/14 we want to find out whether immunotherapy administered in addition to the standard treatment can improve the progno-sis for the patients. We also want to see how well this additional therapy is tolerated.

The immunotherapy consists of the active substance durvalumab and is administered before and after the surgery. Durvalumab is an antibody that improves the ability of the body's own immune system to combat the cancer. Such antibodies have proved to be beneficial in various cancers. In this trial we are investigating, for the first time, whether this treatment can be helpful in locally advanced lung cancer. 

What do the results mean?

Trial SAKK 16/14 shows a distinct improvement in the prognosis for the patients. Since these results are better than expected, this therapeutic method is to be further investigated. The trial also shows that this treatment can be used safely.

What now?

The trial is continuing until 2025. This means that the participants will continue to be followed up. We are also collecting blood and stool samples, and the corresponding laboratory tests should give us a better understanding of the mode of action of the medication and the differing responses to the treatment.