Ticiana A. Leal, MD

Ticiana A. Leal, MD, is an associate professor and director of the Thoracic Medical Oncology Program in the Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia; as well as medical director of the Clinical Trials Office and leader of the Lung Cancer Disease Team at the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University

Articles

Dr Leal on Clinical Considerations Surrounding the Diagnosis of LEMS in Patients With Lung Cancer

November 26th 2025

Ticiana Leal, MD, discusses clinical considerations surrounding the diagnosis of LEMS in patients with lung cancer.

Identifying the Remaining Treatment Gaps and Unanswered Questions

November 10th 2025

Experts discuss the persistent challenges in EGFR-mutated non–small cell lung cancer , including central nervous system (CNS) progression and treatment sequencing, emphasizing the urgent need for more transformative strategies beyond current combination regimens, greater inclusion of complex patient populations in trials, and the critical role of comprehensive biomarker testing and shared decision-making in delivering personalized, future-forward care.

The Future of Tumor Agnostic Therapies in EGFRm m NSCLC

November 10th 2025

Experts discuss the expanding treatment landscape for EGFR-mutated non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), highlighting emerging strategies beyond tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs)—including novel immunotherapy combinations and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs)—with particular interest in bispecific antibodies and TROP2-directed ADCs that may offer new options for patients progressing on targeted therapy, despite ongoing challenges in translating immune-based approaches into consistent survival gains.

Can Next Generation EGFR-Targeted TKIs Improve Outcomes?

November 3rd 2025

Experts discussed how, despite several new third-generation EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in development, the real progress in treating EGFR-mutant lung cancer is likely to come from combination therapies rather than new monotherapies, emphasizing the need for treatments that deliver meaningful improvements over current standards rather than just incremental changes.

Resistance Patterns, the Need to Rebiopsy, and Sequencing Strategies

November 3rd 2025

Resistance management in EGFR-mutant lung cancer relies on both liquid and tissue biopsies to guide therapy, with careful interpretation of molecular findings and multidisciplinary collaboration essential to balancing precision medicine advances against patient safety and evidence-based care.

Final Thoughts and Clinical Pearls for Treating SCLC

October 31st 2025

Panelists discuss how the next 3 to 5 years will likely see T-cell engagers moving into earlier treatment lines, potential ADCs replacing chemotherapy in first-line therapy, and the critical need for better biomarker testing to optimize treatment sequencing and patient selection in an increasingly complex therapeutic landscape.

Emerging Therapies for SCLC

October 30th 2025

Panelists discuss novel and investigational therapies under study for small cell lung cancer, including immunotherapy combinations and targeted approaches.

Experience With Lurbinectedin in SCLC

October 30th 2025

Panelists discuss real-world experiences with novel agents for relapsed small cell lung cancer, focusing on efficacy, safety, and patient selection.

Case 3: Second-Line Treatment for SCLC

October 30th 2025

Panelists discuss treatment decision-making in second-line small cell lung cancer, balancing efficacy, toxicity, and patient-specific factors.

Adherence to Treatment, Shared Decision-Making, and Patient Communication

October 30th 2025

Panelists discuss the importance of shared decision-making, patient communication, and adherence strategies in small cell lung cancer treatment.

Case 2: Treatment of Recurring SCLC With Brain Metastasis and AE Management

October 30th 2025

Panelists discuss therapeutic strategies for recurrent small cell lung cancer with central nervous system involvement, emphasizing adverse event (AE) management and patient support.

IMforte Trial: Applying the Results in Practice

October 30th 2025

Panelists discuss the clinical relevance of emerging trial data evaluating combination maintenance strategies and their potential role in practice.

Treatment Selection and Monitoring/Maintenance in Patients With SCLC

October 30th 2025

Panelists discuss practical considerations in selecting first-line regimens and managing maintenance therapy in patients responding to initial treatment.

Safety and Efficacy of SCLC Treatments Based on Trial Data

October 30th 2025

Panelists review key clinical trial data demonstrating the efficacy and safety of chemo-immunotherapy regimens in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer.

Introduction and Case 1: Diagnostic Workup of Patients with SCLC

October 29th 2025

Panelists discuss the diagnostic evaluation and staging process for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer, emphasizing comprehensive imaging and laboratory workup to guide initial treatment planning.

Treatment of SCLC Based on Patient Characteristics

October 29th 2025

Panelists discuss how patient and disease factors, such as performance status, comorbidities, and extent of metastases, influence first-line treatment selection in small cell lung cancer.

MARIPOSA-2 Toxicity Management: Amivantamab Delay vs Dose Reduction

October 27th 2025

Experts shared that while amivantamab combined with chemotherapy in MARIPOSA- 2 can cause challenging toxicities, careful dose adjustments, premedication, and vigilant monitoring help manage adverse effects and support continued treatment.

Continuing Osimertinib in the 2L Treatment Setting: Data From COMPEL

October 27th 2025

Experts highlight evolving evidence that continuing EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) with chemotherapy after progression may improve outcomes, but emphasize that treatment sequencing decisions must be personalized based on emerging data, patient factors, and drug availability.

Exploring Investigational Approaches Including Cellular Therapy

October 24th 2025

Panelists discuss how emerging therapies including DLL3-targeted ADCs, trispecific T-cell engagers, CAR T cells, and radioligand therapies represent promising approaches that may offer single-dose treatments or enhanced efficacy, though more data on durability and optimal sequencing are needed.

Key Efficacy and Safety Insights From Emerging Therapies in SCLC

October 24th 2025

Panelists discuss how antibody-drug conjugates targeting B7-H3 show impressive response rates compared to historical controls, while T-cell engagers remain the priority for second-line therapy due to their demonstrated durability, though patient preferences and contraindications may influence individual treatment decisions.