Current status of long survivors with lung cancer treated with immunotherapy

Abstract

Introduction: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the leading causes of death in the world, however, the application of immunotherapy has improved the quality of life and overall survival. Objective: To characterize the current health status of patients with long-survival NSCLC treated with active Cuban immunotherapy in the province of Matanzas. Methodology: A descriptive, retrospective study was conducted in 24 patients with a cytohistological diagnosis of NSCLC treated with active Cuban immunotherapy, in the Provincial Oncology Service of Matanzas, from January 2010 to July 2021. The data were obtained through the medical records and reports of the Department of Pathological Anatomy of the "Faustino Pérez" Hospital. Results and discussion: Patients with long-survival NSCLC were mostly men, with a white complexion, older than 60 years, with a diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma, stage IIIB-IV, with first-line treatment with chemotherapy and radiotherapy, followed by active immunotherapy with Vaxira and CIMAvax-EGF, associated with a survival of 5 to 15 years and low lethality. Conclusions: Patients treated with active immunotherapy presented long survival associated with a better quality of life.