MARIPOSA-2 and FLAURA2 Trials: Breakthroughs in NSCLC Treatment
The ESMO Asia Congress 2023 highlighted two significant studies on EGFR mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
FDA Approval of Repotrectinib in Adult Patients Who Have Locally Advanced or Metastatic ROS1-Positive NSCLC
This article highlights the FDA approval of repotrectinib for adults with advanced ROS1-positive non-small cell lung cancer, based on the TRIDENT-1 study.
American Cancer Society Lung Cancer Screening Guideline Update
The American Cancer Society has updated its lung cancer screening guideline to reduce deaths from the disease, particularly among those with a history of smoking. The new guideline recommends annual low-dose computed tomography scans for lung cancer screening in individuals aged 50 to 80 years with a 20-year or more pack-year smoking history.
This update expands the eligibility age range and lowers the pack-year requirement compared with the previous guidelines set in 2013. It also reflects a positive trend in declining new lung cancer cases and deaths, attributed to reduced smoking rates and advancements in early detection and treatment.
Pfizer Gains FDA Approval for BRAFTOVI® + MEKTOVI® in Treating BRAF V600E Mutant Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Pfizer Inc. announced that the FDA approved BRAFTOVI® (encorafenib) + MEKTOVI® (binimetinib) for treating adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with a BRAF V600E mutation. This mutation can be detected through FDA-approved tests like FoundationOne Liquid CDx or FoundationOne CDx. The approval is based on the phase 2 PHAROS clinical trial, which showed significant efficacy in both treatment-naïve and previously treated patients with BRAF V600E-mutant metastatic NSCLC.
Study Shows Link Between Incidental Lung CT Findings and Respiratory Disease Mortality
Researchers of a study analyzed data from the National Lung Screening Trial to investigate the connection between incidental respiratory findings on low-dose CT (LDCT) scans and respiratory disease mortality, excluding lung cancer. Researchers observed that these incidental findings were common on LDCT scans and found that they were linked to higher mortality rates from respiratory diseases. Specifically, emphysema and reticular opacities (including honeycombing/fibrosis/scar) seen on LDCT scans were associated with an increased risk of respiratory disease-related deaths. The study suggests that these incidental findings can be indicative of underlying respiratory issues and should be taken into account during screenings and medical assessments.
Study Reveals Shifting Trends in US Cancer Incidence and Mortality
In a study, researchers reviewed American Cancer Society data on cancer cases and deaths in the United States. The study found that lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, accounting for approximately 350 deaths per day. Breast cancer incidence has slowly increased for females, while prostate cancer rates remained stable overall, but with a rise in advanced cases. Lung cancer incidence has decreased for advanced disease, but increased for localized-stage cases. This shift has led to improvements in localized-stage diagnoses and 3-year survival rates. Mortality trends reflect these incidence changes, with lung cancer mortality declining, breast cancer progress slowing, and prostate cancer stabilizing. The findings suggest the need for targeted cancer control interventions and investment in early detection and treatment to reduce cancer mortality.
New Blood-Based Test Shows Promise as a More Accurate Predictor of Immunotherapy Response in Late-Stage Cancers
Researchers of a study looked at the challenges in predicting the response to immunotherapies in late-stage cancers, particularly in the context of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. While these therapies are effective for some patients, a significant portion does not respond or experience adverse effects. Currently, patient stratification relies on tumor-based PD-L1 expression, which is only accurate in about 30% of cases. The study aimed to identify more accurate predictors of immunotherapy response by analyzing microRNAs in the peripheral blood of lung cancer patients, with researchers developing a 5 microRNA risk score (miRisk) that predicts overall survival after immunotherapy, which outperforms traditional tissue-based PD-L1 testing. The study suggests that miRisk could serve as a valuable blood-based companion diagnostic for immunotherapy.
