Stage 4 Lung Cancer: Targeted therapy & Immunotherapy. Which to Start?

Not all lung cancers are of the same type, stage or treated similarly. In a nutshell... A. Targeted therapy For stage 4 lung adenocarcinoma (subset of NSCLC), further testing of EFGR and EML4-ALK mutation are routinely done in Malaysia. ROS1 rearranged mutation driver testing is not routinely done although targetable treatment is available. Those with …

Advanced/ Stage 4 Lung Cancer: Approved Immunotherapy in 2nd Line Treatment (Part 2 of 2)

I will try to play the devil advocate and give a balanced opinion here in regards to second-line immunotherapy treatment for lung cancer. In my first part, I put forward what pharmaceutical representatives often present to oncologists; highlighting positive numbers, glossing over large percentage reduction in risk of death and not mentioning 'hidden' information. The …

Advanced/ Stage 4 Lung Cancer: Approved Immunotherapy in 2nd Line Treatment (Part 1 of 2)

The above are called immune checkpoint inhibitors (nivolumab, pembrolizumab, atezolizumab) that target and bind to PD-1 or PD-L1, denying PD-1 and PD-L1 linkage. PD-1 is receptors on activated T-cells while PD-1 ligand, PD-L1, is present in normal cells (and also in some tumor cells). Linkage of PD-1 and PD-1 ligand (PD-L1) will cause T-cells to …

Lung Cancer Screening: Reducing Lung Cancer Death

In this study, participants aged 55-74 years old, who had history of cigarette smoking >30 years or former smokers who had quit within 15 years were screened using low-dose CT (LDCT) or chest X-ray (CXR), yearly for three consecutive years. Results Those who had yearly LDCT screening had higher number of lung cancer diagnosed when …

Advanced Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) – Best Treatments to Overcome This Aggressive Cancer

Introduction Just some brief information (numbers) on small cell lung cancer (SCLC) before I jump into treatments for advanced SCLC. 20% of all lung cancers 95% are cigarette smokers (remaining I strongly believe is caused by second hand smoke (SHS) or environmental tobacco smoke (ETC) also) 90% of the tumor is located centrally 70-80% are …