The Atrium: Neoadjuvant Chemoimmunotherapy

In this episode of The Atrium, host Alice Copperwheat speaks with Jessica Donington, Professor of Surgery and Chief of the Section of Thoracic Surgery at the University of Chicago, Illinois, USA, about neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy. Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:20 Why CT Surgery? 04:16 History 06:55 Patient Perception 08:42 Function, Why? 12:40 Patient Selection, Who? 18:20 Resectability 25:31 Types of Neoadj Therapy, What? 30:06 Evidence 33:01 Surgeon Responsibility 39:02 Robotics 39:54 Post Op Considerations 41:29 Key Points 43:12 Surgical Training Advice The discussion emphasizes the importance of being upfront and honest during patient conversations. It explores the benefits of neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy, how patients are selected for these treatments, and the various clinical trials on this topic. The conversation also addresses the chemo-radiation route and the clinical assessment of resectability. They also examine how to determine if a tumor is resectable and what factors are assessed during this process. It also highlights the need to consider whether a planned lobectomy might necessitate a pneumonectomy following neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy. The conversation also covers chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy, outlining what trainees should remember about each. Finally, they address the complexities of neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy, key takeaways for trainees, and the importance of working closely with the entire multidisciplinary team throughout the process. The Atrium is a monthly podcast presenting clinical and career-focused topics for residents and early career professionals across all cardiothoracic surgery subspecialties. Keep an eye out for next month’s episode. Disclosure Dr. Donington serves as an advisor, consultant, and speaker for AstraZeneca, BMS, Genentech/Roche, and Merck. Additionally, she acts as a consultant for Biodesix and an advisor for Lilly. Disclaimer The information and views presented on CTSNet.org represent the views of the authors and contributors of the material and not of CTSNet. Please review our full disclaimer page here.