American Radium Society Appropriate Use Criteria for Unresectable Locally Advanced Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
George Rodrigues, Kristin A. Higgins, Andreas Rimner, Arya Amini, Joe Y. Chang, Stephen G. Chun, Jessica Donington, Martin J. Edelman, Matthew A. Gubens, Puneeth Iyengar, Benjamin Movsas, Matthew S. Ning, Henry S. Park, Andrea Wolf, Charles B. Simone- Oncology
- Cancer Research
Importance
The treatment of locally advanced non–small cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC) has been informed by more than 5 decades of clinical trials and other relevant literature. However, controversies remain regarding the application of various radiation and systemic therapies in commonly encountered clinical scenarios.
Objective
To develop case-referenced consensus and evidence-based guidelines to inform clinical practice in unresectable LA-NSCLC.
Evidence Review
The American Radium Society (ARS) Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) Thoracic Committee guideline is an evidence-based consensus document assessing various clinical scenarios associated with LA-NSCLC. A systematic review of the literature with evidence ratings was conducted to inform the appropriateness of treatment recommendations by the ARS AUC Thoracic Committee for the management of unresectable LA-NSCLC.
Findings
Treatment appropriateness of a variety of LA-NSCLC scenarios was assessed by a consensus-based modified Delphi approach using a range of 3 points to 9 points to denote consensus agreement. Committee recommendations were vetted by the ARS AUC Executive Committee and a 2-week public comment period before official approval and adoption. Standard of care management of good prognosis LA-NSCLC consists of combined concurrent radical (60-70 Gy) platinum-based chemoradiation followed by consolidation durvalumab immunotherapy (for patients without progression). Planning and delivery of locally advanced lung cancer radiotherapy usually should be performed using intensity-modulated radiotherapy techniques. A variety of palliative and radical fractionation schedules are available to treat patients with poor performance and/or pulmonary status. The salvage therapy for a local recurrence after successful primary management is complex and likely requires both multidisciplinary input and shared decision-making with the patient.
Conclusions and Relevance
Evidence-based guidance on the management of various unresectable LA-NSCLC scenarios is provided by the ARS AUC to optimize multidisciplinary patient care for this challenging patient population.