FDA Approves Tecentriq plus Chemotherapy for First-Line Treatment of Extensive-Stage Small-Cell Lung Cancer
For the second time this month, the FDA has given an approval to Genentech’s PD-L1 inhibitor, Tecentriq. [ Read More ]
Lung Cancer
PACIFIC: Practice-Changing Study in Stage III Unresectable Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Toronto, Canada—The PD-L1 inhibitor durvalumab (Imfinzi) showed an overall survival benefit in patients with unresectable stage III non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the phase 3 PACIFIC trial. [ Read More ]
Brigatinib, New ALK Inhibitor, Improves Survival versus Crizotinib in Patients with NSCLC and ALK Mutation
Toronto, Canada—Brigatinib, an investigational, new-generation ALK inhibitor, significantly prolonged survival compared with standard of care with crizotinib (Xalkori) as first-line therapy in patients with advanced ALK-positive non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). [ Read More ]
Atezolizumab plus Chemotherapy New First-Line Regimen for Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Toronto, Canada—Although many new treatments, including targeted therapies and immunotherapies, have recently become available for patients with non–small-cell lung cancer, those with small-cell lung cancer have not seen new treatment options in the past 2 decades. But this is about to change. [ Read More ]
NCCN Drug Affordability Ratings Miss the Mark in Lung Cancer
Chicago, IL—The drug affordability rating in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Evidence Blocks are inconsistent with real-world total episode of care costs, according to Scott D. Ramsey, MD, PhD, Director, Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research [ Read More ]
Pembrolizumab as a First-Line Standard-of-Care Option in Advanced Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Chicago, IL—Two new clinical trials with overall survival (OS) as the primary end point establish pembrolizumab (Keytruda) as a front-line standard of care in patients with non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The results were presented at ASCO 2018. In one of [ Read More ]
Alunbrig (Brigatinib) Approved for Metastatic NSCLC with ALK Mutation
Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in men and women, and is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 155,000 Americans will die from lung cancer in 2017, representing approximately 25% of all cancer deaths. Non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the most common form of the disease, accounts for 80% to 85% of all lung cancer cases. [ Read More ]
When Does Immunotherapy Work Best in Lung Cancer?
Chicago, IL—Response to immunotherapy in non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) differs depending on the driver mutation involved and on the amount of PD-L1 expression within the tumor. Immune checkpoint inhibitors in NSCLC—PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors—have similar efficacy and adverse event profiles. These were among the topics discussed at the 2017 ASCO annual meeting in a session on immunotherapy and lung cancer. [ Read More ]
Osimertinib Extends Progression-Free Survival in EGFR T790M–Positive Lung Cancer with CNS Metastases
Chicago, IL—Osimertinib (Tagrisso) extends progression-free survival (PFS) compared with standard chemotherapy in patients with EGFR T790M mutation–positive non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have central nervous system (CNS) metastases, reported Marina C. Garassino, MD, Thoracic Oncology Unit, Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy, at the 2017 ASCO annual meeting. [ Read More ]
Alectinib New Standard of Care for ALK-Positive Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Chicago, IL—Alectinib (Alecensa), a next-generation anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitor, was called a new standard of care for patients with ALK mutation–positive non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), based on results of the phase 3 ALEX clinical trial, which were presented at the 2017 ASCO annual meeting. [ Read More ]