The purpose of this study was to explore the role of maintenance therapy for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in a real-world setting.

This was a prospective observational cohort multicenter study. Eligible patients were observed from initiation of first-line platinum-based chemotherapy until final follow-up.

Between 2010 and 2011, a total of 864 patients were enrolled in this study. The primary study population was 396 patients who had progressive disease during observation after first-line chemotherapy without maintenance. Of these, 113 patients (29%) did not receive second-line therapy. In contrast, only 18% of patients who had progressive disease during maintenance therapy missed second-line therapy. Overall survival of patients without maintenance who received second-line therapy was similar to that of those who received maintenance, but no second-line therapy.

Maintenance therapy for patients with advanced NSCLC might be an appropriate strategy to maximize the chance of receiving more active therapy.