Tianhong (Tina) Li, MD, PhD, assistant professor, co-director, Phase I Program, UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, discusses results from the LUX-Lung 3 trial that examined afatinib as a first-line treatment for patients with EGFR-positive advanced lung adenocarcinoma.

In the trial, 345 patients were randomized 2:1 to receive afatinib or pemetrexed plus cisplatin. The trial found that treatment with afatinib led to a significantly prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) of 11.1 months compared to 6.9 months (HR = 0.58; 95% CI, 0.43—0.78; 

Li points out that the most impressive results came from patients with common 

 mutations (Del19/L858R). In these patients, the median PFS in the afatinib arm was 13.6 months compared to 6.9 months (HR = 0.47; 95% CI, 0.34—0.65; 

Videos

Tianhong (Tina) Li, MD, PhD, from the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, discusses results from the LUX-Lung 3 trial that examined afatinib as a first-line treatment for patients with EGFR-positive advanced lung adenocarcinoma.

Dr. Li Reviews Afatinib Data From the LUX-Lung 3 Trial

Tianhong (Tina) Li, MD, PhD, assistant professor, co-director of Phase I Program, UC Davis Cancer Center, believes the future of lung cancer will involve a shift towards personalized care.

There is quite a lot of heterogeneity in lung tumors making the detection of mutations, such as ALK for the use of crizotinib (Xalkori), more important. This type of genetic testing should become more heavily used to determine future treatments.

Dr. Tianhong Li from University of California Davis Cancer Center Describes the Future of Lung Cancer Therapy

Dr. Li Describes the Future of Lung Cancer Therapy

Tianhong (Tina) Li, MD, PhD, assistant professor, co-director of Phase I Program, UC Davis Cancer Center, discusses the 

 fusion gene, which is created by translocation of the 

 genes. The rearrangement of these two genes is spurred by an overexpression of tyrosine kinase in the 

There are many driver genes with fusion partners, in lung cancer the 

 fusion is the most common. There are over 20 different variants of the 

Dr. Tianhong Li from UC Davis Cancer Center Discusses the EML4-ALK Fusion Gene

Dr. Li Discusses the EML4-ALK Fusion Gene

Tianhong (Tina) Li, MD, PhD, assistant professor, co-director of Phase I Program, UC Davis Cancer Center, discusses the PROFILE clinical trials examining ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer patients that led to the FDA approval of Pfrizer's crizotinib (Xalkori).

The 1001 trial examined 119 ALK-positive NSCLC patients with a 61% overall response rate and 69% partial response rates. The 1005 trial also exhibited great results, with 136 patients and a 50% overall response rate, including 1 complete response and 67% partial response.

Dr. Tianhong Li from UC Davis Cancer Center Discusses the PROFILE Crizotinib Clinical Trials

Dr. Li Discusses the PROFILE Crizotinib Clinical Trials

Tianhong (Tina) Li, MD, PhD, assistant professor, co-director of Phase I Program, UC Davis Cancer Center, mentions there are currently 4 tests available to detect an abnormal 

&shy;&shy;&shy;positive non-small cell lung cancer are eligible to receive crizotinib (Xalkori).

The tests currently available include the FDA approved crizotinib companion diagnostic test Vysis ALK Break Apart FISH Probe Kit, real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), molecular profiling testing, and immunohistochemistry or IHC.

The FDA approved Vysis test will be the first option for detection, but other options may also be used. As time progresses new tests need to be made available that are easier to use. The main drawbacks of the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) tests are that they are very labor intensive and require special laboratories to complete. Research in the future will examine new testing options that require less work and are easier to conduct.

Dr. Tianhong (Tina) Li from UC Davic Cancer Center Discusses ALK Gene Mutation Tests

Tianhong Li, MD, PhD

Articles

Dr. Li Reviews Afatinib Data From the LUX-Lung 3 Trial

Dr. Li Describes the Future of Lung Cancer Therapy

Dr. Li Discusses the EML4-ALK Fusion Gene

Dr. Li Discusses the PROFILE Crizotinib Clinical Trials

Dr. Li Discusses ALK Gene Mutation Tests