Article Details - Overview
Treatment of a Patient With Metastatic Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer and Adenocarcinoma Histology
Oncology Consultations
1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™
Release Date: October 30, 2009
Expiration Date: October 30, 2010
Upon completion of this educational activity, you should be able to:
- Evaluate clinical data on maintenance therapy following frontline treatment in advanced NSCLC
- Assess the role of molecular biomarkers in predicting clinical benefit from EGFR TKIs
- Discuss the application of novel targeted agents in patients with previously treated advanced NSCLC
Authors
Nathan A. Pennell, MD, PhD; Román Pérez-Soler, MD
Overview and Purpose
Several new approaches have recently been undertaken to improve the treatment outcomes of patients with advanced non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). One strategy involves the administration of maintenance therapy immediately following frontline treatment in patients without disease progression. Randomized phase III trials demonstrated that maintenance therapy using an antifolate or an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) significantly improved overall survival in advanced NSCLC. Another approach is the application of molecular biomarkers to select the optimal treatment regimen for individual patients. Recent data indicated that the presence of EGFR mutations is predictive of clinical benefit from first-line EGFR TKIs. For pretreated advanced NSCLC, several novel agents have shown promising activity either in combination with chemotherapy or as single agents. These include TKIs inhibiting both vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) and EGFR, second-generation irreversible EGFR TKIs, and inhibitors targeting anaplastic lymphoma kinase.
The purpose of this activity is to update physicians on recent approaches to improve treatment outcomes in advanced NSCLC.
Target Audience
This educational activity is intended for medical oncologists involved in the care of patients with NSCLC. No specific skills or knowledge other than a basic training in oncology is required for successful participation in this activity.
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- Take the Pretest
- Participate in the Activity
- Take the Posttest
- Take the Evaluation
- Claim your Credit Amount & Certificate Type
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This activity is part of PER's Integrated Oncology Learning Series:
A Focus on Thoracic Malignancies