Primary Tumor Resection With Sintilimab and Chemotherapy in Advanced NSCLC

This study is a single-center, randomized, open-label, parallel-group trial designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of primary tumor resection combined with sintilimab, pemetrexed, and carboplatin in patients with advanced, EGFR/ALK-negative NSCLC. A total of 118 patients will be enrolled and randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to one of two treatment groups: one group will receive tumor resection followed by the combination of sintilimab, pemetrexed, and carboplatin, while the other group will receive sintilimab, pemetrexed, and carboplatin without tumor resection. The primary endpoint of the study is progression-free survival (PFS), as assessed by independent radiological review according to RECIST v1.1 criteria. Secondary outcomes include overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), adverse effects (AEs), serious adverse effects (SAEs) and quality of life (QoL). Statistical analysis will include Kaplan-Meier estimation of median PFS with 95% confidence intervals, log-rank testing for comparing differences between the two treatment groups, and Cox proportional hazards models for calculating hazard ratios. Stratification will be performed based on clinical stage, histological subtype, PD-L1 expression, tumor size, and baseline demographic characteristics. Patients will be followed up until disease progression or death from randomization. The results of this study will provide valuable insights into the potential benefits of combining surgery with anti-PD-1 therapy and chemotherapy for advanced NSCLC.

Inclusion criteria

• Age 18-75 years, no sex limitation;
• Histologically or cytologically confirmed stage III-IV non-squamous NSCLC, deemed unresectable (evaluated by MDT);
• Negative for EGFR mutation and ALK rearrangement (tested by ARMS-PCR, NGS, or equivalent methods);
• No histological evidence of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) or transformation to SCLC;
• No prior exposure to anti-tumor therapy;
• ECOG performance status of 0-1;
• Expected survival ≥ 6 months;
• Primary tumor diameter ≥ 1 cm, with at least one measurable lesion remaining after resection (per RECIST v1.1 criteria);
• Adequate major organ function, including:

① Hematologic: absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1.5 × 10⁹/L, platelets ≥ 100 × 10⁹/L, hemoglobin ≥ 9.0 g/dL;

② Hepatic: ALT and AST ≤ 2.5 × ULN (≤ 5 × ULN in case of liver metastases), total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 × ULN;

• Renal: serum creatinine ≤ 1.5 × ULN, or creatinine clearance ≥ 50 mL/min (calculated by Cockcroft-Gault formula);
• Pulmonary function (patients must meet at least one of the following to ensure adequate postoperative pulmonary reserve):

① FEV1 ≥ 1.2 L (or ≥ 40% of predicted value);

② FEV1/FVC ≥ 0.7, excluding severe obstructive ventilatory impairment;

③ DLCO (diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide) ≥ 40% of predicted value, to assess diffusion capacity;

④ If preoperative FEV1 < 1.2 L or DLCO < 40%, a quantitative perfusion scan is recommended along with preoperative exercise testing (e.g., 6-minute walk test, stair-climbing test) to evaluate residual pulmonary function;

• Preoperative assessment by the study team confirming that the patient can tolerate primary lesion resection;
• Signed informed consent with willingness to comply with study protocol.

Exclusion criteria

• Impaired immune function: history of primary immunodeficiency; history of allogeneic organ transplantation or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
• Active brain metastases. Patients with adequately treated brain metastases may be eligible if they have remained neurologically stable for at least 2 weeks prior to study entry and are not receiving systemic corticosteroids or are on a stable/reducing dose equivalent to ≤10 mg prednisone daily.
• Pregnancy.
• Presence of any severe, uncontrolled, or unstable comorbidity that, in the opinion of the investigator, may interfere with the patient's participation in the study or affect the interpretation of study results, including uncontrolled seizures, psychiatric disorders, active or uncontrolled infections, or other conditions (including laboratory abnormalities).