Mark A. Socinski, MD, executive director of AdventHealth Cancer Institute, gave insight into treatment resistance and the importance of repeat biomarker testing at the time of disease progression in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Mark A. Socinski, MD, executive director of AdventHealth Cancer Institute, gave insight into treatment resistance and the importance of repeat biomarker testing at the time of disease progression in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Transcript
How do you approach the issue of drug resistance in patients with NSCLC in your clinical practice?
We've developed a whole new generation of first-line drugs that are highly effective—but, particularly in the arena of targeted therapies, we know that at some point, acquired resistance is going to happen. Again, there are increasing amounts of information about acquired resistance patterns, some of which do have targetable options with it. The best example is in the EGFR mutation–positive space. Using osimertinib, one of the more common acquired resistance mechanisms is MET amplification. We do have a couple of MET drugs that are FDA approved; we have a couple of early studies that look at binding the MET inhibitors with osimertinib in patients who have MET amplification. And you do see clinical benefit there.
We also know that there are other bypass tracks that may happen that may have a targeted therapy. So I think the approach to the resistance issue is the concept of retesting at the time of progression, so that you can understand if there is an acquired resistance mechanism that might have a targeted therapy associated with it. Oftentimes, you won't find something like that. But I think the message of dealing with resistance is retesting to see what may be there. Can you identify a mechanism of acquired resistance that may have a different treatment option for the patient? So I think the take home message with regard to the resistance issue is retesting.
Enhancing Outpatient Hemophilia Care May Improve Health Outcomes and Costs
May 18th 2024Prospective data from patients attending a rural practice in West Virginia between 2016 and 2023 show that a quality improvement program that followed guideline recommendations and was tailored to specific patient needs reduced preventable bleeds and lowered costs.
Read More
Frameworks for Advancing Health Equity: Urban Health Outreach
May 9th 2024In the series debut episode of "Frameworks for Advancing Health Equity," Mary Sligh, CRNP, and Chelsea Chappars, of Allegheny Health Network, explain how the Urban Health Outreach program aims to improve health equity for individuals experiencing homelessness.
Listen
Tackling Health Inequality: The Power of Education and Experience
April 30th 2024To help celebrate and recognize National Minority Health Month, we are bringing you a special month-long podcast series with our Strategic Alliance Partner, UPMC Health Plan. Welcome to our final episode of this limited series and our conversation with Janine Jelks-Seale, MSPPM, director of health equity at UPMC Health Plan.
Listen