Lung cancer
Innovative agents directed against RET, Trop-2, KRASG12C and HER2
The highly selective and potent RET kinase inhibitor selpercatinib has been implemented in the treatment of lung cancer harboring RET gene fusions. At the same time, the combination of platinum, pemetrexed and pembrolizumab is an established first-line standard of care for patients without EGFR or ALK alterations. The aim of the randomized, open-label, phase III LIBRETTO-431 study was to define the optimal first-line regimen for patients with RET-fusion–positive NSCLC.
ALK-targeted adjuvant treatment and perioperative immunotherapy
Approximately 30 % to 40 % of patients with non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are diagnosed with resectable disease. Depending on the stage, the risk of disease recurrence remains high in spite of treatment, which calls for more effective strategies. For patients with resectable ALK-positive NSCLC, the guidelines recommend adjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy, while immunotherapy is not recommended.
Preface – ESMO Lung Cancer 2023
It is a pleasure to present you the memo inOncology 2023. This time we report on the ESMO Congress held in Madrid, Spain, from 20th to 24th October 2023. It was an outstanding scientific and educational event with more than 33,000 participants from 155 countries.
Recent progress in the treatment of neuroendocrine tumors
Capecitabine plus temozolomide (CAPTEM) is widely used for the treatment of advanced, unresectable, and progressive neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). However, data are limited regarding its association with radioligand therapy (RLT)/peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT).
New developments in the diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumors
Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) comprise a rare group of heterogenous neoplasms that originate from cells with a neuroendocrine phenotype and can arise in almost every organ or region of the body [1]. They display a variable biological behavior; in fact, in some patients the disease may be stable for years, whereas in others, it might be very aggressive [2].
Proposals for the 9th edition of the TNM classification
The 8th edition of the TNM classification of lung cancers has been in effect since 2017. These recommendations have been summarized in publications issued by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC), and the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC).
MARS 2: no benefit of decortication in early-stage malignant mesothelioma
Surgery in the form of maximum cytoreduction is recommended to reduce all visible disease in the setting of resectable malignant pleural mesothelioma. Extra-pleural pleurectomy/decortication has been established as the predominant approach offered worldwide.
Trop-2–directed ADCs in conjunction with immunotherapy: EVOKE-02 and TROPION-Lung04
Immune checkpoint inhibitor-based regimens have been established as the standard-of-care first-line treatment in the setting of metastatic NSCLC. However, novel combination approaches are called for to further improve outcomes.