The purpose of the review is to summarize the current status of immune checkpoint inhibitors as adjuvant therapy in patients with resected nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

The IMpower010 phase 3 trial demonstrated improved disease-free survival and, in case of PD-L1 at least 50%, also improved overall survival for atezolizumab compared to best supportive care among patients with completely resected stage II-IIIA NSCLC. The PEARLS/KEYNOTE-091 trial showed increased disease-free survival for pembrolizumab among patients with stage IB-IIIA NSCLC. Trials with nivolumab and durvalumab are ongoing.

Atezolizumab or pembrolizumab have become options for adjuvant therapy in patients with completely resected NSCLC.