ICER puts hard-fought progress in NSCLC treatment at risk, says PhRMA

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among men and women in the USA, and each year, tens of thousands of Americans are diagnosed with the most common form, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Despite these sobering statistics, there is reason for optimism in the fight against NSCLC, wrote Holly Campbell on the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) The Catalyst blog

In the last decade, advances in cancer biology have led to tremendous improvements in surgical techniques and treatment. And as researchers continue to expand their knowledge of NSCLC, they have uncovered a number of genetic mutations that cause uncontrolled cancer cell growth. Today, two-thirds of NSCLCs have a genetic mutation that can directly point to treatments known to be effective against that type of mutation, and more are being discovered.

This better understanding of tumor biology has led to the development of novel targeted therapies that are transforming the treatment paradigm for NSCLC patients. Many of these targeted therapies are administered orally, reducing the burden on patients who previously underwent extensive intravenously-administered chemotherapeutic regimens. A new era of immunotherapy and vaccines is also opening avenues for treatment, enabling the patient’s immune system to mount an attack against cancer cells. These therapeutic advances are unfolding quickly as the science evolves rapidly.