Operationalizing Screening for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: An International Discussion - Episode 1
Global Perspectives on Lung Cancer: Targeted Therapy and Better Outcomes
Experts discuss the transformative impact of targeted therapies on outcomes in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). They highlight that before these treatments, survival for stage IV patients was often measured in months. Now, the identification of driver mutations and the use of matched oral targeted therapies have fundamentally changed the disease trajectory.
The panel emphasizes that these treatments are highly effective, with high response rates and well-tolerated profiles. A key advancement is the ability of these drugs to control and even prevent brain metastases, allowing patients to avoid the long-term side effects of whole brain radiation. The experts note that for patients with specific molecular alterations, targeted therapy has enabled long-term survival, with some patients living over a decade and maintaining a normal quality of life despite a stage IV diagnosis. This underscores the critical importance of comprehensive biomarker testing to identify these actionable targets.
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