Top 5 NSCLC Content for 2024

Throughout 2024, developments in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) highlighted both progress and challenges in treatment and screening. Sacituzumab govitecan failed to improve overall survival (OS), and a biologics license application (BLA) for datopotamab deruxtecan was withdrawn following initial promising results. Experts also emphasized the need for comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) to address testing gaps, and updated guidelines expanded lung cancer screening eligibility by removing quit time and reducing pack-year criteria.

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5. Sacituzumab Govitecan Monotherapy for NSCLC Disappoints in EVOKE-01 Trial Update

In this article from January, data showed that sacituzumab govitecan-hziy (Trodelvy; Gilead) disappointed investigators in the phase 3 EVOKE-01 trial (NCT05089734), in that the TROP-2–directed antibody drug conjugate (ADC) did not improve OS, the study’s primary end point for patients. Gilead announced at the time that although patients who did not have a response to their previous anti–PD-L1 treatment did see a 3-month OS improvement, these results also were not seen among patients who had responded to their previous anti–PD-L1. The good news, however, was that no new safety signals for sacituzumab govitecan were identified and the treatment was well tolerated.

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4. Experts Sound the Alarm on Lack of Comprehensive Genomic Profiling in NSCLC

Labcorp data from single-gene testing (SGT) were used to contact and offer oncologists CGP, based on previous research showing extreme variation in molecular testing patterns for NSCLC, investigators said. Eighty community practices, accounting for 561 patients with advanced or metastatic disease, were represented, with 27% of these patients having a negative result from SGT within 6 months of their CGP. Results showed that geographic region, turnaround time, and tissue type and age were associated with variation in CGP order strategy.

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Throughout 2024, developments in the field of non–small cell lung cancer highlighted both progress and challenges in treatment and screening. | Image Credit: © mi_viri-stock.adobe.com

3. FDA Accepts BLA for Datopotamab Deruxtecan for Nonsquamous NSCLC

In February, Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca submitted their BLA for the ADC, backing it with data from the phase 3 TROPION-Lung01 trial (NCT04656652). These data showed a statistically significant improvement in progression-free survival with the monoclonal antibody/chemotherapy combo vs docetaxel for previously treated adults with locally advanced or metastatic nonsquamous NSCLC. However, in November, Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca withdrew this application, replacing it with a new BLA for accelerated approval based on data from the phase 2 TROPION-Lung05 trial (NCT04484142) and supported by data from TROPION-Lung01 and the phase 1 TROPION-PanTumor01 trial (NCT03401385).

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2. Updated Guidelines Expand Lung Cancer Screening Eligibility for At-Risk Patients: Dr Melinda Aldrich

November 2023 updates to lung screening guidelines from the American Cancer Society were at the center of this January 2024 interview with Melinda C. Aldrich, PhD, MPH, associate professor in the departments of Medicine, Thoracic Surgery, and Biomedical Informatics at Vanderbilt University. With 10 years having passed since the previous guidelines’ update, this update removed a longstanding screening eligibility criterion, quit time, potentially expanding the pool of patients eligible for a lung cancer screen. It also showed alignment with the US Preventive Services Task Force, in that the revised down another screening criterion, pack-years, from 30 to 20.

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1. Biomarker Testing: Key to Personalized Lung Cancer Care

In part 1 of our August 3-part interview with David P. Carbone, MD, PhD, director of the thoracic oncology center at The Ohio State University in Columbus, he discussed the importance of biomarker testing in NSCLC. Especially deserving of attention is the treatment transformation the lung cancer space has seen from biomarker testing, which now permits therapies to be tailed to the patient and their cancer. Patients with both early- and late-stage disease can benefit from this panel testing, which is important overall, but should be performed prior to therapy initiation, Carbone explains.

Watch this interview.