Khaled A. Tolba, MD, MBBCh, assistant professor of medicine, School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, discusses the use of afatinib (Gilotrif) in 

The TAPUR study is an umbrella trial aimed at matching patients with specific gene mutations, chromosomal transformations or driver mutations with personalized treatment, explains Tolba.

Recently, afatinib has been added to the TAPUR trial for use in 

-mutant lung cancer because it appears there is activity with this treatment, says Tolba. This is particularly important because there are no FDA-approved therapies for this disease,nor any targeted agents for patients with 

Pan-ERBB TKIs like afatinib are aimed downstream by targeting ERBB3 and ERBB4. The hope is to target the active ligand and ultimately benefit this particular patient population.

Videos


Khaled A. Tolba, MD, MBBCh, discusses the use of afatinib in NRG1 fusion–positive lung adenocarcinoma.
 

Dr. Tolba on the Use of Afatinib in NRG1-Mutated in Lung Adenocarcinoma

Khaled A. Tolba MD, MBBCh, assistant professor of medicine, School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, discusses the potential to target 

 fusion—positive lung adenocarcinoma with afatinib (Gilotrif).

Approximately 17 cases of patients harboring a 

 chromosomal translocation treated with afatinib have been reported in the literature, says Tolba. At the 2019 World Conference on Lung Cancer, findings from a small case series showed that 4 patients with lung adenocarcinoma harboring an NRG1 fusion achieved a response or disease stabilization with afatinib.

Afatinib is a TKI that is commonly used to treat 

-mutant non—small cell lung cancer, says Tolba. As such, there is a lot of comfort in using the drug and managing any adverse events (AEs) that may result. Common AEs include skin rash and gastrointestinal toxicity, which can manifest as mouth sores and diarrhea. However, these toxicities can generally be managed with dose reductions, antibiotics, and skin care products, concludes Tolba.

Khaled A. Tolba MD, MBBCh, assistant professor of medicine, School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, discusses the potential to target NRG1 fusion–positive lung adenocarcinoma with afatinib (Gilotrif).

Dr. Tolba on Targeting NRG1 Fusions With Afatinib

Khaled A. Tolba MD, MBBCh, assistant professor of medicine, School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, provides data from a study on targeting 

 fusions in non—small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Recently presented during the 2019 World Conference on Lung Cancer, Tolba’s research shows that afatinib (Gilotrif) has activity in NRG1-fusion positive NSCLC. This adds to other research, however, a study with a larger cohort is suggested for the future.

Khaled A. Tolba MD, MBBCh, assistant professor of medicine, School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, provides data from a study on targeting NRG1 fusions in non-small cell lung cancer.

Khaled A. Tolba MD, MBBCh

Articles

Dr. Tolba on the Use of Afatinib in NRG1-Mutated in Lung Adenocarcinoma

Dr. Tolba on Targeting NRG1 Fusions With Afatinib

Dr. Tolba on Targeting NRG1 Fusions in NSCLC