Research

*November 2020* Osimertinib, a third-generation EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, efficiently penetrates the blood-brain barrier. This study explored whether treatment with osimertinib leads to improved overall survival (OS) for patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC with leptomeningeal metastases (LM) compared with those not treated with osimertinib. For the 351 patients with LM included…

*December 2020* Because no standard approaches exist for patients with EGFR-mutated non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who progress on standard frontline osimertinib (Tagrisso), repeat genomic testing should be done to identify potential resistance mechanisms that can help guide the next step in the treatment journey, Rami Manochakian, MD. “This is a very…

*December 2020* John Heymach, MD, PhD Chair, Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in a Q&A session: Targeted Oncology™: How would you reassure a patient who is eager to start treatment? HEYMACH: Patients are anxious to get their treatment started. I…

*November 2020* This new clinical trial is for those people whose EGFR lung cancer has transformed to small cell lung cancer.This trial covers travel expenses as well. Any questions can be directed to Dr. Anish Thomas at: Anish.Thomas@nci.gov. (In addition to this trial, there are other NCI trials for small…

*November 2020* Neratinib (Nerlynx) showcased early activity when used in patients with metastatic non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who harbor EGFR exon 18 mutations, according to interim data from the phase 2 SUMMIT trial.1 Results demonstrated that among 10 evaluable patients who received the EGFR inhibitor, 60% (n = 6) had a…

*November 2020* In the treatment of lung tumors, alterations in MET as well as gene fusions in RET and NTRK are now established actionable drivers of oncogenesis, made evident by the availability of FDA-approved and guidelines-indicated therapies for each other these aberrations. Alexander Drilon, MD, chief of Early Drug Development…

*October 2020* Bone pain in patients with cancer is commonly caused by cancer cells that have spread to the bones, called bone metastases. Bone pain is commonly the first symptom of bone metastases and may lead to tests that will confirm the diagnosis. Treatment of bone metastases is intended to…

*November 2020* Alexander Spira, MD, PhD, a medical oncologist and director of the Virginia Cancer Specialists Research Institute and the Phase 1 Trial Program, discusses the phase 1 CHRYSALIS trial of amivantamab (JNJ-61186372) plus lazertinib (YH25448) in 2 EGFR-mutant non–small cell lung cancer patient populations, which include patients with relapsed/refractory…

*November 2020* Targeted treatments for non-small cell lung cancer: recent progress and future challenges. Some of the most common driving mutations for NSCLC occur in EGFR, the gene that encodes for the protein epidermal growth factor receptor. These EGFR mutations can be classified as common (also known as classic) mutations and rare mutations6.…

*November 2020* Liquid biopsy has emerged as a minimally invasive alternative to tumor tissue analysis for the management of lung cancer patients, especially for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) oncogene addicted tumor. In these patients, despite the clear benefits of tyrosine kinase inhibitors therapy, the development of acquired resistance and…