Dr. Janjigian on the Importance of First-Line Therapy Selection in Gastric Cancer

Yelena Y. Janjigian, MD, a medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discusses the importance of selecting ​an optimal first-line therap​y in gastric cancer.

Gastric cancer is a complex disease, ​and the field continues to evolve​, says Janjigian. Notably, ​updated data or a new trial emerges into the paradigm every 3 to 6 months, Janjigian explains.

Careful consideration is needed when selecting the frontline therapy for a patient with newly diagnosed gastric cancer, Janjigian says. Moreover, initial therapy selection can have a tremendous effect on the patient’s ​treatment journey ​and long-term survival. As such, individualized consideration into the ​optimal agent ​and dosing ​regimen are needed to maximize the ​patient's potential response, while avoiding toxicities and maintaining ​adequate nutrition.

Gastric cancer encompasses at least 4 to 5 different molecular​ly distinct subtypes; thus, experts are eager to understand more ​about the presentation of this disease and is hopeful for what the future holds, Janjigian concludes.