Biomarker-Driven Lung Cancer

From 2001 to 2017, the cancer death rates continued to decline in the United States, and these decreases were observed in all major racial and ethnic groups, as well as in males, females, adolescents, young adults, and children. However, the rates of cancer incidence for all cancers slightly increased in females from 2012 to 2016, according to the Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer, which was published in Cancer.^ 

Vemurafenib monotherapy is an effective treatment for patients with BRAF V600-mutated non–small cell lung cancer, according to results from the phase II AcSe vemurafenib trial II study published in the Annals of Oncology.

A post hoc analysis of the ALTER 0303 trial has found that anlotinib, compared with placebo, extended the time patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer had before brain metastases developed or existing brain lesions increased in size, reports a recent paper in The Oncologist.

In an interview with Targeted Oncology, Tony S. K. Mok, MD, BMSc, FRCPC, discussed the final progression-free survival data for frontline alectinib comparted with crizotinib as treatment of patients with advanced ALK-positive non–small cell lung cancer in the ALEX trial.

Pemetrexed-based chemotherapy regimens were more effective as treatment of patients with&nbsp;<em>RET</em>-rearranged non&ndash;<a>small</a>&nbsp;cell lung cancer compared with other regimens, according to a multicenter, retrospective study. This treatment also showed similar benefit for various&nbsp;<em>RET</em>&nbsp;fusion types, including&nbsp;<em>KIF5B-<a>RET&nbsp;</a></em>and non-<em>KIF5B-RET</em>&nbsp;fusions.

The FDA has accepted a Biologics License Application for MYL-1402O, a proposed biosimilar to bevacizumab, according to a press release from co-developers Biocon and Mylan. The BLA is seeking approval for the biosimilar as a treatment for multiple types of cancer and the FDA has set an action date goal of December 27, 2020, for a decision on the BLA.

As the new coronavirus disease 2019 creates problems internationally, health-wise and economically, it is also becoming a cause for concern throughout the oncology community.

Julie R. Brahmer, MD, discusses the role of molecular testing for patients with lung cancer and why this is particularly important for those with early-stage disease.

In February 2020, the FDA gave indications to multiple therapies meant for treatment of solid tumor and hematologic malignancies. FDA action included 10 Priority Reviews, 2 Breakthrough Therapy designations, and 2 Fast Track designations.

A 60-Year Old Man With Untreated Stage IV EGFR-Mutated Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

High volumes of mutations observed through liquid biopsies may be associated with an improvement in progression-free survival&nbsp; and clinical benefit after first-line standard-of-care pembrolizumab-based therapy in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, according to findings from a prospective biomarker trial conducted by investigators at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine and Abramson Cancer Center, which were published in&nbsp;Clinical Cancer Research.

In a <em>Targeted Oncology</em>&trade; case-based peer perspective live discussion, Sandip P. Patel, MD, associate professor of medicine at the University of California San Diego Health, discussed EGFR inhibition options for patients with non&ndash;small cell lung cancer, based on the case of a real patient.

A 62-Year-Old Male With Stage III Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

To help clinicians cope with an increasing number of geriatric patients with cancer, the Association of Community Cancer Centers is addressing this problem with a 2-pronged approach that focuses on the delivery of care and diagnostic assessment.

Benjamin P. Levy, MD, discusses the role of biomarkers in the treatment landscape for patients with lung cancer.

The FDA has granted Priority Review to the New Drug Application for brigatinib as first-line treatment for patients with ALK-positive metastatic non&ndash;small cell lung cancer as detected by an FDA-approved test, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company announced in a press release.

Preliminary results from a safety and tolerability phase I/II study signal promise for ADXS-503 alone and in combination with pembrolizumab as treatment of patients with metastatic squamous and non-squamous non&ndash;small cell lung cancer, Advaxis, Inc, announced in a press release. Findings were presented during the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer 2020 Targeted Therapies of Lung Cancer Meeting, February 19-22, 2020, in Santa Monica, California.

As one of the main challenges faced by cli&shy;nicians who treat non small cell lung cancer, drug resistance continues to thwart efforts to mitigate disease progression. This is especially true for the class of drugs called tyrosine kinase inhibitors, which inhibit adenosine triphosphate at the binding site of tyrosine kinase.