AEGEAN study

Previously, results of the randomized, phase III, AEGEAN study showed that perioperative durvalumab (D) in combination with neoadjuvant chemotherapy significantly improved both the event-free survival (EFS) and pathological complete response (pCR) rate compared to neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone in patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this video, Prof Dr Martin Reck, pulmonologist at the German Center for Lung Research addresses the data on quality of life and symptom burden of this study, presented during ELCC 2025.

In AEGEAN, 802 adult patients with treatment-naïve, resectable NSCLC (stage II–IIIB, AJCC 8th edition) and an ECOG performance status of 0 or 1 were randomised (1:1) to neoadjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy plus durvalumab or placebo, followed by surgery and adjuvant durvalumab or placebo. Patient reported outcomes (PROs) were assessed using the EORTC QLQ-C30 (during neoadjuvant and adjuvant period) and QLQ-LC13 (during the neoadjuvant phase) questionnaires.

Reassuringly, the use of perioperative durvalumab did not have an effect on health-related quality of life, general functioning or symptom burden. Together with the significant efficacy benefit and the manageable safety profile, these PRO data provide further support for the use of perioperative durvalumab in patients with resectable NSCLC. Later this year, Prof Reck will present additional data for AEGEAN looking into the impact of minimal residual disease on efficacy outcomes.