Hirva Mamdani, MD, thoracic oncologist, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, discusses the rationale to evaluate the immunogenicity of 

 co-mutations in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). 

Over the past few years, the paradigm of NSCLC treatment has shifted to include checkpoint inhibitors, which have improved outcomes for many patients, Mamdani says. However, not all patients respond to checkpoint inhibitors. Moreover, the development of primary and acquired resistance remains a significant challenge with checkpoint inhibitor therapy, Mamdani says. 

 mutations have been identified as a prevalent driver of primary resistance to immunotherapy in NSCLC, Mamdani says. As such, research efforts are aimed at identifying subsets of immunogenic 

-mutated NSCLC that could respond to checkpoint inhibitors. 

Videos

Hirva Mamdani, MD, discusses the rationale to evaluate the immunogenicity of STK11 and TP53 co-mutations in non–small cell lung cancer.



Dr. Mamdani on Evaluating the Immunogenicity of STK11/TP53 Co-Mutations in NSCLC 

Hirva Mamdani, MD, assistant professor of medicine, Department of Oncology, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, discusses the need to develop novel therapies in locally advanced esophageal and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma.

The incidence of esophageal and GEJ adenocarcinoma is a rising in the United States, says Mamdani. Additionally, most patients present with locally advanced disease.

Patients who are medically fit may receive concurrent chemoradiation in the neoadjuvant setting followed by surgery, explains Mamdani. However, about half of these patients will experience disease relapse within a year after treatment. Moreover, patients who do not achieve a pathologic complete response to neoadjuvant therapy or those who have persistent disease in the lymph nodes are more likely to relapse.

Currently, adjuvant therapies have not demonstrated a survival benefit in this patient population. Therefore, developing novel strategies is critical, says Mamdani.

PD-1/PD-L1 is often upregulated in response to chemotherapy and radiation. As such, immune checkpoint inhibitors such as durvalumab (Imfinzi) could be a potential treatment approach after trimodality therapy in patients with locally advanced esophageal and GEJ adenocarcinoma, concludes Mamdani.

Hirva Mamdani, MD, discusses the need to develop novel therapies in locally advanced esophageal and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma.



Hirva Mamdani, MD

Articles

Dr. Mamdani on Evaluating the Immunogenicity of STK11/TP53 Co-Mutations in NSCLC

Dr. Mamdani on the Need for Novel Therapies in Locally Advanced Esophageal/GEJ Adenocarcinoma