Image credit: Freepik
A new combination therapy has shown promise in extending survival for patients with a specific type of lung cancer in Asia. The new chemotherapy-free treatment combining amivantamab and lazertinib has shown significant promise in improving survival outcomes for patients with EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in Asia. The Jhonson & Jhonson led Phase 3 MARIPOSA study, involving 501 participants, demonstrated a 26 percent reduction in the risk of death compared to standard osimertinib therapy alone.
EGFR-mutated NSCLC is highly prevalent in Asia, affecting 30 to 40 percent of patients, compared to 10 to 15 percent in Western countries. Despite advances, survival rates remain low, with fewer than 20 percent of patients surviving five years post-diagnosis. The new therapy offers hope, with median overall survival projections exceeding four years—a notable improvement over existing treatments.
Lead investigator Dr. Hidetoshi Hayashi from Kindai University in Japan highlighted the importance of this advancement, stating, “This combination represents a major step forward in treating EGFR-mutated lung cancer, offering patients in Asia a new option that extends survival and improves outcomes.”
The therapy targets key pathways driving tumor growth and engages the immune system, providing a dual approach to combating the disease. Kazuo Hasegawa, founder of the Lung Cancer Patients Network ONE STEP, noted the optimism this brings to patients and families, saying, “Seeing survival extend beyond previous expectations is a source of hope for those living with this disease.”
The combination therapy has a manageable safety profile, with most side effects occurring early and being effectively managed. Preemptive measures have further reduced the severity of certain reactions. The therapy is already approved in several regions, including the United States, Europe, and parts of Asia, for first-line treatment of EGFR-mutated NSCLC. Additional approvals in the Asia-Pacific region are anticipated soon.
This breakthrough underscores the importance of addressing the biological drivers of lung cancer and offers new hope for patients in Asia, where the disease is especially prevalent.
