Missak Haigentz Jr., MD, the Section Chief of Hematology and Oncology at Morristown Medical Center, and Medical Director of Hematology and Oncology for Atlantic Health System, discusses the importance of adjuvant osimertinib (Tagrisso) in 

-positive non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

The December 2020 

 exon 19 deletions or exon 21 L858R mutations has positively impacted the treatment of NSCLC, according to Haigentz. The agent had previously been approved for use in patients with 

 T790M–mutated NSCLC who developed progressive disease, Haigentz says. Notably, 

 T790M is a gatekeeper mutation that commonly leads to resistance to early-generation TKIs, he explains.

Moreover, the phase 3 FLAURA study (NCT02296125), which examined the agent in the frontline setting, led to the 

FDA approval of osimertinib as a first-line treatment in April 2018

-mutated advanced NSCLC. The more recent indication of the EGFR TKI moved the needle forward by shifting the agent into the adjuvant setting; it’s the first agent of its kind to be used with curative intent, Haigentz concludes.

Videos

Missak Haigentz Jr., MD, discusses the importance of adjuvant osimertinib in EGFR-positive non–small cell lung cancer.

Dr. Haigentz on the Importance of Adjuvant Osimertinib in EGFR+ NSCLC

Missak Haigentz, MD, chief of Hematology and Oncology at Morristown Medical Center and medical director of Atlantic Hematology and Oncology for Atlantic Medical Group at the Carol G. Simon Cancer Center, discusses the potential of erlotinib (Tarceva) and bevacizumab (Avastin) in 

-mutant non—small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

At the 2018 ASCO Annual Meeting, data were presented on the combination of erlotinib and bevacizumab in patients with 

-mutant NSCLC. Though there was a significant benefit in progression-free survival compared with erlotinib alone, the overall survival benefit was not as compelling. Moreover, the PFS benefit was comparable to frontline osimertinib (Tagrisso).

Although this combination may not replace osimertinib as the current standard, it does show the potential for combination therapies in the space, explains Haigentz. It gives physicians some insight in terms of potential combinations with VEGF pathway inhibition. Even if the combination does not enter the market in the United States, Haigentz notes that it may be introduced in countries where there are challenges in gaining access to second- and third-generation TKIs.

Missak Haigentz, MD, chief of Hematology and Oncology at Morristown Medical Center and medical director of Atlantic Hematology and Oncology for Atlantic Medical Group at the Carol G. Simon Cancer Center, discusses the potential of erlotinib (Tarceva) and bevacizumab (Avastin) in EGFR-mutant non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Dr. Haigentz on the Potential of Erlotinib and Bevacizumab in EGFR-Mutant NSCLC

Missak Haigentz, MD, chief of Hematology and Oncology at Morristown Medical Center, medical director of Atlantic Hematology and Oncology for Atlantic Medical Group at the Carol G. Simon Cancer Center, discusses the impact that immunotherapy has had on the treatment of patients with head and neck cancer.

Immunotherapy has revolutionized the way that cancer is approached, says Haigentz. Five years ago, the only treatments available for patients with head and neck cancer were traditional chemotherapy and targeted therapies like cetuximab (Erbitux). Success with immunotherapy has been experienced across tumor types including melanoma and lung cancer, as well as head and neck cancer.

Haigentz says that immunotherapy has provided an opportunity to improve survival, particularly in those with incurable disease. Immunotherapy is impacting both the curative and non-curative setting, improving patient outcomes across the board. Viewing cancer as a genetic- and immune-based disease is the future of therapy, concludes Haigentz.

Missak Haigentz, MD

Articles

Dr. Haigentz on the Importance of Adjuvant Osimertinib in EGFR+ NSCLC

Dr. Haigentz on the Potential of Erlotinib and Bevacizumab in EGFR-Mutant NSCLC

Dr. Haigentz on the Impact of Immunotherapy in Head and Neck Cancer