Optimal immunotherapy duration in advanced NSCLC: defining the ideal treatment window

This study provides real-world evidence and novel insights into the need for continuing ICI therapy beyond 18 months in patients with advanced NSCLC who do not exhibit progressive disease. For patients achieving SD during ICI therapy, a treatment duration of at least 18 months appears appropriate. For patients achieving CR/PR, treatment decisions should be individualized according to patient-specific circumstances. However, owing to the retrospective study design, potential selection bias and confounding factors might have influenced the results. Therefore, our findings require further validation in prospective clinical studies.