A new clinical trial reveals the effectiveness of a once-daily pill in reducing deaths by half among cancer patients. The study published by the New England Journal of Medicine shows the role of a targeted treatment in the survival of early-stage lung cancer.
Investigating the Effectiveness of a Targeted Therapy
The international study involves 682 lung cancer patients from over 20 countries across the U.S., Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and South America. Half of them were given a daily pill for three years. The pill is called osimertinib, a drug manufactured by AstraZeneca and sold under Tagrisso. It works by targeting a specific receptor responsible for the growth of cancer cells.
After five years of diagnosis, 88% of the patients who took osimertinib were still alive compared to the 78% who received a placebo drug. The result of the study reveals that the drug can lower the overall risk of fatality from lung cancer by 51%.
In 2022, the Biden administration announced its goal of lowering the cancer death rate in the U.S. by at least 50% in the next 25 years. Yale Cancer Center deputy director and principal research investigator Dr. Roy Herbst believe they have hit the mark in this area.
Tagrisso has received approval in over 100 countries. In 2015, it was also approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for patients with more advanced lung cancer who experience worsening symptoms after taking other medications. In 2020, AstraZeneca received approval for the early-stage versions of lung cancer.
The research team reported that Tagrisso's ability to prevent tumors' return and spread to other organs had been confirmed three years ago. Although they already knew it was effective, they were surprised that patients could also live longer.
Aside from stages 1, 2, and 3 of non-small cell lung cancer, the participants in this trial also had a mutation in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). This receptor typically helps the growth of cells, but its mutated version makes them divide and multiply excessively, leading to cancer. Osimertinib functions as a switch that turns off the mutated receptor.
Herbst believes the new survival data could persuade more doctors to recommend Tagrisso. Compared to chemotherapy treatment, fewer major side effects are associated with this pill. Doctors can still prescribe both chemotherapy and Tagrisso right after surgery.
Although the drug was proven effective immediately after surgery, it is still unknown if the same survival rate will be observed if the pill is given after a cancer relapse. Still, the doctors are confident that the survival rate is improved when cancer is treated early.
What is Lung Cancer?
Lung cancer remains one of the most common cancers in the world. In the U.S., it is the third most common type of cancer and the major cause of cancer-related fatalities. It occurs when tumors form in the tissues of the lung, especially in the cells along the air passages.
Lung cancers are classified into two main types: small-cell and non-small-cell. Since these groups of lung cancer develop differently, they are also treated in different ways. Early stages of lung cancer usually have no symptoms, but people with the disease can develop conditions such as persistent cough, unexplained weight loss, and coughing up blood.
The treatment for this disease depends on the type of mutation, the range of spreading, and the patient's general health conditions. Surgery of the lungs can be recommended if the tumor is confined to a small area and if the cancer is diagnosed early. Other options include radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
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