We have previously written about the risk of railroad workers developing lung cancer from their exposures to asbestos and diesel exhaust as a result of DNA gene mutations. Last month, our blog brought lung cancer patients important information about combination therapies for lung cancer treatment. Specifically, we wrote about immunotherapy agents used in combination with traditional chemotherapy to fight non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) caused by a certain gene mutation.
Now, a new combination therapy has been approved for treatment of NSCLC where another common mutation is found. The EGFR or Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor gene can cause cancers to grow faster and become more deadly. EGFR-positive lung cancer represents 10-15% of all lung cancers in the US. Its identification is crucial because it can lead to new treatment modalities that can slow or even stop the growth of lung tumors.
Johnson & Johnson recently announced the completion of a successful study on the use of two new drugs, in combination, to fight EGFR-positive lung cancer. The two drugs Rybrevant and Lazcluze, have been approved by the FDA for this treatment. The study compared the use of these two immunotherapy agents to the use of another drug, Tagrisso, which has been used successfully in combination with traditional chemotherapy. The study found the two Johnson & Johnson immunotherapy agents worked as well or better than the Tagrisso-based therapy.
This new therapy option will give EGFR-positive lung cancer patients a chemotherapy-free choice for their cancer treatment. This is good news for patients because immunotherapy generally has fewer side effects and better treatment outcomes than chemotherapy-based treatments. Patients can live longer and have superior quality of life during treatment.
Railroad workers who have been exposed to carcinogens like asbestos or diesel exhaust, whether they have smoked cigarettes or not, remain at risk for EGFR-positive NSCLC. These new treatment options are something lung cancer patients should discuss with their doctors.
