New treatments for lung cancer often start with finding lung cancer early. We regularly provide information to railroad workers about the early detection of lung cancer. The reason is finding cancer early makes new treatments possible. According to physicians at Johns Hopkins University, one of the leading cancer centers in the nation, over half of lung cancer patients are now diagnosed before the cancer has spread outside the chest. The newest therapies involve combining chemotherapy and immunotherapy agents to energize the immune system. After several weeks of this therapy, surgeons can remove the cancer and the revitalized immune system can work to prevent the tumor from recurring. With this line of combination therapy, lung cancer patients are living longer and have fewer side effects from treatment.
Combination therapy was recently presented at a conference of oncologists by researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). New clinical trial results found that the targeted immunotherapy agent Sotorasib (Lumakras™) was even more effective when combined with chemotherapy agents carboplatin and pemetrexed. Scientists at MSK developed Sotorasib for the treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancers (NSCLC) caused by gene mutations in the KRAS gene. MSK scientists have now established this targeted immunotherapy as a first-line cancer treatment for lung cancer patients with even better results occurring when used in combination with traditional chemotherapy.
It has long been recognized that lung cancer patients with KRAS gene mutations may have had occupational exposure to asbestos. These new forms of combination therapies can give new hope to individuals suffering from lung cancer from their past exposure to asbestos. Railroad workers are at risk for lung cancer and other cancers from exposure to asbestos and other carcinogens. Call an experienced railroad cancer lawyer today to help you evaluate that risk.
