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The Top 5 Most-Read Lung Cancer Stories of 2020
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This year’s top 5 most-read stories in lung cancer were overrun by non–small cell lung cancer drug trial results and FDA action.
This year’s top 5 most-read stories in lung cancer were overrun by non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) drug trial results and FDA action, with a top contributor story linking the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic with mortality in lung cancer patients. Here are the article that took the top spots this year.
5. Libtayo Accepted for FDA Priority Review in NSCLC With PD-L1 Expression
A story published in November reported that the FDA accepted Regeneron’s PD-1 inhibitor Libtayo (cemiplimab-rwlc) for priority review. The supplemental biologics license application accepted for review is based on results from the EMPOWER-Lung 1 trial of cemiplimab monotherapy vs platinum-doublet chemotherapy, which found that risk of death was 32% lower in the cemiplimab cohort, risk of disease progression was 41% lower, and the objective response rate was 37% vs 21% in patients receiving standard chemotherapy. A decision is anticipated in the second quarter of 2021.
4. Contributor: Links Between COVID-19 Comorbidities, Mortality Detailed in FAIR Health Study
Robin Gelburd, JD, president of FAIR Health, offered commentary on findings from a FAIR Health study done in collaboration with the West Health Institute and Marty Makary, MD, MPH, from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. The study showed a relationship between preexisting comorbidities of COVID-19 and mortality in privately insured patients. The white paper, supported by recent scientific literature, reported that top 3 risk factors across age groups were developmental disorders, lung cancer, and intellectual disabilities and related conditions. Actionable findings from the paper can inform public health recommendations and policies, like vaccine distribution and disease prevention protocols.
3. Osimertinib Sharply Cuts Risk of Brain Metastases After Surgery in EGFR-Mutated NSCLC
In a September story, study results showed a reduced risk of brain metastases or death for certain patients with early-stage NSCLC treated with osimertinib compared with placebo. The new analysis of phase 3 ADAURA trial data found that patients with early-stage NSCLC who harbored EGFR mutations saw an 82% drop in the risk of cancer recurrence in brain metastases or death. Patients with EGFR-positive NSCLC often experience recurrence and brain metastates, making this a key finding for the target population.
2. Sotorasib Shows Benefit for Patients With Certain Type of NSCLC
An article published on September 21 reported on potential benefits of sotorasib in NSCLC patients whose tumors have KRAS mutations, a tumor type that currently has no approved therapies. A phase 1 clinical trial of sotorasib (AMG 510) in patients with KRAS p.G12C mutation demonstrated promising antitumor activity in findings concurrently published in the New England Journal of Medicine and presented at the 2020 ESMO Virtual Congress. In the trial, 32.2% of patients had a confirmed objective response and 88% had disease control (objective response or stable disease).
1. Atezolizumab Leads to Longer OS for Some Types of Advanced NSCLC, Study Says
In the top lung cancer story of the year, published in September, another NSCLC treatment took center stage. Atezolizumab (Tecentriq) treatment led to significantly longer overall survival (OS) than platinum-based chemotherapy in in PD-L1–selected NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations or translocations of anaplastic lymphoma kinase wild-type tumors. Those on atezolizumab had a median OS of 20.2 months compared with 13.1 months in the chemotherapy group.
