Article and Video CATEGORIES

Cancer Journey

Search By

Dr. Jack West is a medical oncologist and thoracic oncology specialist who is the Founder and previously served as President & CEO, currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Global Resource for Advancing Cancer Education (GRACE)

 

Promising Lead on Potential Benefit of Nexavar (Sorafenib) for KRAS Mutation Positive NSCLC
Author
Howard (Jack) West, MD

It's only 10 patients, but a brief report in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology that just came out today from a group in Amsterdam has gotten my attention because it suggests that the oral multi-targeted anti-cancer agent Nexavar (sorafenib) may be genuinely effective in patients with advanced NSCLC who have a K-RAS mutation. Thus far, essentially all we have learned about patients with K-RAS mutations is that they may be less likely to benefit from both EGFR inhibitors and conventional chemotherapy. But this report of just 10 patients with a K-RAS mutation is notable in that 6 of the 10 patients who received Nexavar had either a partial response or a minor response (tumor shrinkage that isn't sufficient to be considered a partial response). Another three patients had stable disease.

This report is just a single page, but it comes on the heels of a report of the BATTLE trial that looked at various biomarkers and also suggested that patients with KRAS mutations appeared to potentially benefit from Nexavar, with 61% achieving disease control (summary and my thoughts on the BATTLE trial here).

Neither of these relatively small studies provides conclusive evidence that Nexavar is the treatment of choice for patients with a KRAS mutation, but it's far more compelling to see work from different groups converging on the same conclusion. It's particularly encouraging in a setting in which patients have few appealing options. We've had very few leads for patients with KRAS mutations, and to me this work seems very encouraging. I'm confident we'll see this story evolve and am hopeful that Nexavar may well prove to be a genuinely effective treatment for this orphaned clinical population.

Next Previous link

Previous PostNext Post

Related Content

Image
2024-25 patient perspectives header
Article
Tell your story and help us help others! Apply online now for this paid opportunity. This program gives a voice to those who have experience in participating in a clinical trial for a cancer diagnosis. Your voice helps to educate and advocate for others who are in or who may be considering a clinical trial.  We want to hear from you!
Image
HPV Advances
Video
In this video series, Dr. Paul Romesser discusses recent advances in HPV related cancers, including treatment options, vaccination recommendations and patient perspectives.   To watch the full playlist click here.  
Image
Foro de Pacientes de Terapias Dirigidas de Cáncer de Pulmón
Video
¡El vídeo completo bajo demanda está disponible para verlo!

Forum Discussions

Hi and welcome to GRACE.  I'm sorry you are worried but I don't understand why a GP would hand you a piece of paper intimating you may have a pancoast tumor. ...

Hi ramosking,  Welcome to Grace.  I'm sorry you're suffering.  It doesn't sound like you have a pancoast tumor. It does seem like you should see your PCP or a pulmonologist for...

Hey, So I went to the Doctor and explained all my symptoms I was having, They did some examining by listening to my lungs with a stethoscope, They said my lungs...

I hope you find some help through your doc or PT. 

Take care,

Janine

Hi Revtoby, Welcome to Grace.  I'm sorry you and your wife are worried about cancer but we couldn't say whether or not your wife's leison is cancer no matter how much...

Recent Comments

JOIN THE CONVERSATION
For help in deciphering…
By chris10 on
Hi and welcome to GRACE.  I…
By JanineT GRACE … on
I hope you find some help…
By JanineT GRACE … on
Went to doctor
By ramosking on