Egbert Smit’s research shows promising results of a new treatment for lung cancer patients with an antibody linked to a drug. This so-called antibody-drug conjugate trastuzumab deruxtecan targets HER2 protein on (cancer) cell surfaces, which is aimed for in breast cancer patients as well. HER2 mutations or overexpression are far less common in lung cancer though. Last year, Smit presented the interim results of a clinical study in 42 patients with metastatic HER2 mutated lung cancer. The results were promising: many patients responded to the treatment in a durable way.
Smit: “This ADC is the first in exhibiting clinical relevant activity in a patient population with a high unmet need. If the results can be confirmed in the full analysis cohort of approximately a hundred patients, to be expected at the end of the year, this constitutes a major step forward for the treatment of these patients.”