Impact of Immunotherapy on Survival Rates of Lung Cancer Patients in Suburban Bangladesh: A 24-Month Cohort Study

Abstract

Lung cancer is one of the most prevalent and deadly malignancies worldwide, with a particularly high incidence in the suburban regions of Bangladesh, where healthcare infrastructure is often inadequate. Traditional treatment modalities such as chemotherapy have provided limited improvements in long-term survival rates and are associated with significant side effects. This 24-month cohort study aims to evaluate the impact of immunotherapy on the long-term survival rates of lung cancer patients in suburban Bangladesh. A total of 22 adult patients diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were included, with 11 receiving immunotherapy and 11 undergoing conventional chemotherapy. Quantitative data were collected from medical records and analyzed using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards models to compare overall survival between the two groups and adjust for potential confounders such as age, gender, socioeconomic status, and cancer stage at diagnosis. The results demonstrated that the immunotherapy group had a median overall survival of 18 months compared to 12 months in the chemotherapy group, with a 24-month survival rate of 54.5% versus 18.2% (p = 0.03 and p = 0.04, respectively). The adjusted hazard ratio for death in the immunotherapy group was 0.55 (95% CI: 0.32–0.95, p = 0.033), indicating a 45% reduction in the risk of death compared to the control group. Additionally, patients diagnosed with Stage IV had a significantly higher risk of death (HR = 3.80, 95% CI: 1.15–12.50, p = 0.029). These findings suggest that immunotherapy significantly enhances survival outcomes for lung cancer patients in resource-limited suburban settings. However, financial constraints and limited geographical accessibility remain substantial barriers to the widespread adoption of immunotherapy. The study underscores the need for policy interventions and infrastructure improvements to enhance access to advanced cancer treatments, thereby improving survival rates and overall patient outcomes in similar contexts.