Tumor growth rate (TGR) signifies percentage change in tumor size per month (%/m). Electronic medical records were retrospectively reviewed for all histologically confirmed aNSCLC patients undergoing anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy at Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center (SYSUCC) between August 2016 and June 2018.~All response and outcome evaluation were determined as per RECIST 1.1 by two senior radiologists blinded to patients'information. Discrepancy was solved by consensus.~X-tile software was used to determine cut-off values that maximumly differentiate overall survival (OS). Log-rank tests and Cox regression models were performed for survival analysis. The predictive value of TGR for clinical outcomes in ICI-treated aNSCLC patients was validated in two external cohorts, recruited form Guangdong Province Traditional Chinese Medical Hospital and Shanghai Chest Hospital.
We hypothesized that TGR could serve as an early predictor of outcomes for aNSCLC patients undergoing immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). A retrospective analysis was conducted to investigate the association of TGR with response and long-term survival of aNSCLC patients undergoing ICI therapy.