David P. Carbone, MD, PhD

David P. Carbone, MD, PhD, a professor in the Division of Medical Oncology at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, describes variations in the accuracy and availability of genetic testing technologies for patients with lung cancer.

Across the country, there is not only uneven access to genetic testing but also variations in accuracy, explains Carbone. Each test for EGFR is not the same, as some exclude rare mutations. As such, there is currently a transition under way in genetic testing.

Despite this transition, immunohistochemistry may be a better approach in some situations, since it can focus more on the protein. The ideal test, Carbone notes, would focus on the protein, since this is generally what is targeted by treatment. However, at this point, protein-specific data and tests are less developed than genetic testing.

Across the country, there is uneven access to genetic testing as well as variations in accuracy

Immunohistochemistry may be a better approach in some situations, since it can focus more on the protein, but protein-specific data and tests are less developed than genetic testing

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David P. Carbone, MD, PhD, describes variations in the accuracy and availability of genetic testing technologies for patients with lung cancer.

The Accuracy and Availability of Genetic Testing for Lung Cancer

David P. Carbone, MD, PhD, Professor, Division of Medical Oncology, Director, Thoracic Oncology Center, The James, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, discusses advances in the treatment of lung cancer.

Recent advances in immunotherapy of lung cancer are probably the most exciting aspect of lung cancer therapy in the last few years, Carbone says. There is a large portion of patients who do not have immediately actionable lesions identified by current gene sequencing methods. Immunotherapy is potentially effective in these patients and could provide a way to improve outcome even in patients with EGFR and ALK mutations in combination with other treatments.

A large portion of the patient population does not have immediately actionable lesions identified by current gene sequencing methods

Immunotherapy is potentially effective for this group of patients

David P. Carbone, MD, PhD, from the The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, discusses advances in the treatment of lung cancer.


Advances in the Treatment of Lung Cancer

David P. Carbone, MD, PhD, a professor in the Division of Medical Oncology at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, discusses the exploration of immunotherapies as treatments for patients with advanced lung cancer.

The efficacy of immunotherapy in lung cancer represents the most exciting advancement in this space within the past few years, Carbone states. Prior to this, the greatest advance was next generation sequencing and the discovery of actionable mutations, such as

A large majority of patients with lung cancer do not have an immediately actionable mutation. In these patients, immunotherapy may elicit a durable and effective response. Additionally, combinations of immunotherapy and EGFR- or ALK-targeted therapy could further improve outcomes, Carbone believes.

Carbone notes his excitement to potentially expand immunotherapy beyond patients with advanced disease to the frontline setting in combination with erlotinib and crizotinib. As a monotherapy, in current trials, the response rate to immunotherapy appears to be around 20%. Additionally, to date, studies seem to signal that responses might be higher in squamous cell histology compared to adenocarcinoma.

The efficacy of immunotherapy in lung cancer represents the most exciting advancement in this space within the past few years

Immunotherapy may be effective in a large majority of patients with lung cancer who do not have an immediately actionable mutation

Combinations of immunotherapy and EGFR- or ALK-targeted therapy could further improve outcomes

Immunotherapy may have utility in the frontline setting in combination with erlotinib and crizotinib

In general, the response rate to immunotherapy in lung cancer appears to be around 20%

Response to immunotherapy may be higher in squamous cell histology compared to adenocarcinoma

David P. Carbone, MD, PhD, from the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, discusses the exploration of immunotherapies as treatments for patients with advanced lung cancer.

David P. Carbone, MD, PhD | Authors

Articles

The Accuracy and Availability of Genetic Testing for Lung Cancer

Advances in the Treatment of Lung Cancer

The Investigation of Immunotherapy in Lung Cancer