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Talking About Immunotherapy: A Guide for Patients With Early-Stage NSCLC

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This patient-friendly resource provides an overview of immunotherapy for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), including when it may be used before surgery, after surgery, or both. It explains the goals and potential benefits of treatment, outlines approved treatment approaches and schedules, highlights possible side effects and symptoms to report to the care team, and includes questions patients can use to support informed discussions and shared decision-making with their healthcare team.

Released: July 16, 2026

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Provided by

Provided by Clinical Care Options, LLC dba Decera Clinical Education, in partnership with Smart Patients.

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Supporters

Supported by an educational grant from Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC.

Merck Sharp & Dohme, LLC

Partners

Smart Patients

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Target Audience

This activity is intended for medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, surgeons, nurse practitioners, physician associates, nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals involved in the multidisciplinary care of patients with resectable early-stage NSCLC in community and academic practices.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

  • Identify patients with resectable early-stage NSCLC who are eligible for immunotherapy through evidence-based molecular testing

  • Design a personalized multimodal treatment plan for immunotherapy-eligible patients with resectable early-stage NSCLC based on the latest data and expert recommendations

  • Counsel all eligible patients on the risk–benefit profile, goals, and administration options for neo/adjuvant immunotherapy-based treatment using evidence-based resources 

  • Manage immune-related adverse events concordant with the latest guidelines to optimize the quality of life and clinical outcomes for each patient with early-stage resectable NSCLC

Financial Disclosures

Primary Author

Patrick Forde, MD, PhD: researcher: AstraZeneca, BioNTech, Bristol Myers Squibb, Regeneron, Summit; consultant/advisor/speaker: Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, Daiichi Sankyo, Flame, Fosun, F-Star, G1, Genentech, Iteos, Janssen, Novartis, Regeneron, Sanofi.

Karen Reckamp, MD, FASCO: consultant/advisor/speaker: AstraZeneca, Genentech, GSK, Immunity Bio, Johnson & Johnson, Lilly, Novartis, Nuvation, Pfizer; researcher (paid to institution): Avenzo, BioNTech, Johnson & Johnson.

Additional Disclosures

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools were used for revising or refining educational content. All AI-assisted content underwent human review, editing, and validation by qualified faculty and accredited education staff to ensure scientific accuracy, balance, and compliance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education.