Maurice Perol, MD, a medical oncologist with Léon Bérard Cancer Center, discusses combination regimens comprised of chemotherapy and EGFR TKIs in the treatment of patients with 

-mutated advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), as investigated in the OPAL trial presented during the 

This combination is an interesting frontline treatment approach for this patient population, Perol says. Two phase 3 studies that were conducted in Japan and India have indicated that the addition of chemotherapy to gefitinib (Iressa) resulted in a significantly improved progression-free survival and overall survival. The results in both studies were consistent, Perol says.

However, it is important to be mindful of the toxicities associated with a chemotherapy/TKI combination, Perol explains. The addition of chemotherapy to an EGFR TKI like osimertinib (Tagrisso) can lead to more adverse effects versus a TKI alone, which could impact a patient's quality of life, Perol concludes.

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Maurice Perol, MD, discusses combination regimens comprised of chemotherapy and EGFR TKIs in the treatment of patients with EGFR-mutated advanced non–small cell lung cancer, as investigated in the OPAL trial presented during the ESMO Asia Virtual Congress 2020.

Dr. Perol on EGFR TKI/Chemotherapy Combinations in Advanced EGFR+ NSCLC

Maurice Perol, MD, medical oncologist, Centre Leon Berard, discusses the results of the ALEX trial in 

-positive non—small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) during the 2018 European Lung Cancer Congress, which is a joint collaboration between ESMO and the IASLC.

The ALEX trial is a phase III head-to-head comparison of next-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) alectinib (Alecensa) versus the standard of care TKI crizotinib (Xalkori). Alectinib improved the progression-free survival compared to standard-of-care crizotinib. The median PFS with crizotinib is around 11 months, while the median PFS with alectinib has not been reached at over 26 months.

Additionally, the time to central nervous system (CNS) progression was improved with alectinib, says Perol, which is important as there is a subgroup of patients with

-positive NSCLC who are at high risk for CNS metastases. Also, alectinib was better tolerated in this population, despite a longer treatment duration.

Maurice Perol, MD, medical oncologist, Centre Leon Berard, discusses the results of the ALEX trial in ALK-positive non–small cell lung cancer.

Maurice Perol, MD

Articles

Dr. Perol on EGFR TKI/Chemotherapy Combinations in Advanced EGFR+ NSCLC

Dr. Perol Discusses Results of the ALEX Trial in ALK+ NSCLC