CUHK: a new treatment for lung cancer patients

The Chinese University of Hong Kong has revealed a new treatment for lung cancer patients. Some patients taking the third generation targeted therapy lorlatinib experienced no disease progression over seven years.

In Hong Kong, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer- related deaths, with more than 6,000 new cases annually. Among those cases involving genetic mutations, ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer is more likely to carry a higher risk of brain metastases. The Chinese University of Hong Kong's Faculty of Medicine co-led with multiple cancer centres worldwide held a seven year clinical trial on lung cancer, especially for advanced ALK-positive patients. 296 patients who had never received treatment participated. 149 patients were randomly selected and received the third generation targeted therapy lorlatinib. 55 percent of them had no disease progression after seven years.

But patients receiving a first generation targeted therapy drug had a progression free survival period of only 9.1 months. Norman Wu, 61, was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer three year ago. He began taking a third generation targeted therapy drug and has show no disease progression. At the beginning, he is 180 pounds and now he is 205 pounds. But he is very happy that this medicine allows him to live. Professor Tony Mok, Head of the Department of Clinical Oncology at CUHK, said the third generation targeted therapy drug can suppress brain metastasis of ALK cancer cells and the risk of disease progression. Mok said the approach is to suppress the cancer cell and prevent it from continuing to grow. The study also found that lorlatinib is safe for long term use, with no evidence of new and more severe side effects.