Over the last decade, substantial progress has been made in therapeutic options for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The introduction of immunotherapy has improved treatment outcomes both in advanced disease and in earlier stages. Reimbursement for treatment under drug program B.6 has played a significant role in ensuring access to modern immunotherapy, and its provisions have indirectly contributed to improving the quality of diagnostics and treatment of patients. The chronological review presented here identifies four key stages in the implementation of immunotherapy for patients with NSCLC in Poland, encompassing the breakthrough of second-line therapy, the evolution of first-line treatment, the era of consolidation and combination therapies, and the paradigm shift in perioperative treatment. Each of these stages gradually expanded the scope of immunotherapy use — from palliative treatment in patients with advanced disease to strategies with potentially curative intent in early-stage disease.
A Pluzanski (2026) studied this question.