targeted therapy can halve the risk of death for certain tumors

This is the scientific presentation that caused a sensation on Sunday June 4, among the 2,500 presented in total at the annual international congress on cancer in Chicago. Researchers have put forward a targeted therapy that can reduce mortality by half in some patients with lung cancer. “These results will be a game-changer”enthuses Doctor David Planchard of the Gustave-Roussy Institute in Villejuif, who took part in this international clinical trial presented at the congress of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago, and whose results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

“What was shown during this congress is that the risk of death from lung cancer is reduced by 5%, which is a real revolution. We are about 300 to 400 patients who will be considered as cured of their lung cancer.”

Dr David Planchard

at franceinfo

Some 300 to 400 patients cured each year in France out of the 1,500 to 2,000 affected by a particular mutation in their lung tumour, called EGFR (Epithelial Growth Factor Receptor), and whose cancer has not yet metastasized . Today, they are operated on to remove the tumour, but with a high risk of recurrence. “Unfortunately, you have about 60 or 70% of lung cancers that will recur”adds Doctor Planchard.

One tablet a day for three years

French patients in Lille, Limoges, Bron, Paris and Lyon took part in this international clinical trial. Immediately after the operation, the doctors gave them one tablet a day of a targeted therapy, theosimertinib, during three years. Five years later, the majority have had no relapses.

“The goal is to ensure that you can tell the patient, five years later, that there is no more disease. You are cured of your lung cancer.”

Dr David Planchard

at franceinfo

In France, the majority of the patients concerned were already benefiting from this targeted therapy. Now that its spectacular efficacy has been proven, this drug will become the standard treatment to fight against lung cancer, one of the deadliest.