The Road To Hope
When I was diagnosed with advanced stage lung cancer in October of 2020, my health was declining rapidly. My lung capacity was less than 40% of normal, and I required supplemental oxygen to get through some of the most basic daily tasks. The lining of my lungs were filled with fluid, causing extreme pressure and pain with every movement. I was in a state of constant fatigue, anxiety and fear.
Genetic Targeted Therapy
One of the first steps taken by my oncologist was to perform comprehensive biomarker testing, a blood and tissue test that would determine if my cancer was driven by a specific genetic mutation that could be targeted for treatment. These targeted therapies, a relatively recent innovation in cancer treatment, represent an unbelievable source of hope in the quest for a cancer cure. In addition to being high effective in most cases, the fact that these drugs work at the molecular level and target only specific cells with the identified genetic malfunction means that the patient is likely to have fewer and less life-altering side effects.
In my case, the genetic testing revealed that my cancer cells contain the EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor) mutation. There are multiple subtypes of EGFR mutations, and fortunately for me, targeted therapies for my specific subtype already existed and have proven to be significantly more effective than traditional treatment regimens. I began taking Tagrisso (osimertinib) and responded almost immediately. Within the first three months, my scans looked better and my health was improving. Now, a year later, I continue to respond well and the progression of this incredible aggressive cancer has stopped.
Resistance
As well as the targeted therapies work, there is a major downside: Resistance. Eventually, the gene mutation that is being targeted will either develop resistance or will develop a different mutation altogether. When (not if) this happens, the targeted therapy will lose its effectiveness. Sadly, for many patients today, this leaves very few effective treatment options at the disposal of the treatment team.
T-Cell Based Immunotherapies
To address the problem of resistance, a team led by Dr. John Heymach (Chair of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center), which includes my own oncologist (Assistant Professor Marcelo Negrao, M.D.), as well Assistant Professor Alex Reuben, Ph.D., is working to develop more effective immunotherapy approaches for NSCLC patients whose tumors are driven by the EGFR mutation. The idea is to identify and characterize the T-cell receptors (TCRs) that best recognize EGFR and other mutations, then reengineer them and expand those cells in the laboratory for reinfusion into patients bearing tumors with those mutations.
Preliminary efforts to develop these therapies have resulted in successful isolation of T cells that recognize one of the most common EGFR mutations found in NSCLC. The team now plans to expand and combine these initial efforts to perform a large-scale screening of patients with EGFR-mutant lung cancers in order to rapidly generate TCRs that may provide broader therapeutic value. Additional goals include expanding these studies to help more lung cancer patients, with other tumor-driving mutations, for whom no effective targeted therapies are currently available.
A Source of Hope
The work this team is doing is so vital. For patients like me, few options exist if and when resistance to targeted therapies occurs. The idea that advanced immunotherapies may be an option for me one day gives me an immense sense of hope. Please join me in supporting this effort which will very likely change the lives of millions of people.
