Journal Thoracic Oncology

Abstracts Journal of Thoracic Oncology • Volume 12 Issue S1 January 2017
identified and subsequently ROS-1. Molecular targeted agents demonstrated
spectacular responses in the great majority of patients, compared to the
usual 25% brief responses that were achieved previously with platinum-based
combination chemotherapy. These driver mutations were predominantly in
adenocarcinomas and non-smokers or never smokers. More recent mutations
have included smokers and non-smokers such as BRAF V600E and MET Exon-
14 skipping mutation which can be seen in smokers as well as non-smokers.
During the past five years, immunotherapy has been an exciting new addition
to the armamentarium for treatment of patients with metastatic lung
cancer. Immune checkpoint inhibitors are still in the nascent phase and the
optimal duration of therapy for stage IVB disease, combination with other
immunotherapeutic agents, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy, as well as use
of adjuvant therapy, will be awaited with eager anticipation. Exciting new
technology such as CRISPR-cas9 to gene edit PD-1 holds great potential future
promise to make these immune checkpoint inhibitors more effective in a
larger percentage of patients with lung cancer, as well as those responses
being more durable.
Keywords: lung cancer, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, new agents
S8 Journal of Thoracic Oncology • Volume 12 Issue S1 January 2017