The advancement in research for the treatment of EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer is crucial in improving patient outcomes. In a recent study conducted by Erminia Massarelli, MD, PhD, the combination of osimertinib and consolidative stereotactic ablative radiation (SABR) showed promising results.
The study involved 43 patients with untreated EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer with metastatic disease. The patients were divided into two groups, one receiving osimertinib alone and the other receiving osimertinib plus SABR. The rationale behind the study was to reduce resistant cells and tumor burden immediately after the maximum response to an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor.
The results of the study, presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting, revealed significant improvements in both progression-free survival and overall survival in the group receiving osimertinib plus SABR. The progression-free survival increased to 32 months, compared to the historical control of 18 months, and overall survival extended to 42 months, compared to 38 months in the control group.
Despite being a small study, the findings suggest a potential application for the combination of osimertinib and SABR in the future. The low toxicity profile observed, with only a 2% incidence of pneumonitis and other minor toxicities like hyponatremia, skin reactions, and diarrhea, makes this treatment approach promising for further exploration.
The study conducted by Erminia Massarelli sheds light on the benefits of combining osimertinib with consolidative SABR in treating advanced EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer. The improvements in progression-free survival and overall survival, along with the manageable toxicity profile, highlight the potential of this treatment approach in enhancing patient outcomes. Further research and clinical trials are needed to validate these findings and establish the efficacy of this combination therapy.