Dr. Bunn on Targeting HER3 in NSCLC

Paul A. Bunn, Jr MD, distinguished professor, James Dudley Chair in Lung Cancer Research, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado Denver, and a 2014 Giant of Cancer Care® in Lung Cancer, discusses potentially targeting HER3 in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Recently, NRG1 fusions were identified as a molecular target that activates HER3, Bunn says. ​However, no agents have been approved yet to target NRG1 fusions in NSCLC.

However, the bispecific monoclonal antibody MCLA-128, that targets both HER2 and HER3, displayed promising preliminary results in patients with NSCLC, explains Bunn. 

​Currently, several agents including tarloxotinib are being evaluated for patients with NRG1 fusions and have demonstrated preclinical activity with acceptable safety profiles, Bunn concludes.