Christine Bestvina, MD

“We have huge amounts of work to do to maximize the efficacy of immunotherapy,” Christine Bestvina, MD, said during an interview with CancerNetwork.

Christine Bestvina, MD, stated that the presence of EGFR and ALK mutations can affect the way that a patient will react to treatment and should be factors that physicians consider.

“We need some longer-term overall survival data to help discuss with patients the best treatment of choice for them,” Christine Bestvina, MD, said.

Personalized therapy for non–small cell lung cancer has evolved significantly with the advent of comprehensive molecular testing.

Estelamari Rodriguez, MD, MPH, presents a case of a 50-year-old African American woman, non-smoker, with pleural metastases; the panel discusses interstitial lung disease management, the use of antibody-drug conjugates, disease timing, and strategies for providing symptomatic relief, specifically considering drug holds if steroids only offer partial relief.

Christine Bestvina, MD, presents a case of a 34-year-old non-smoker diagnosed with Stage IIIA NSCLC after presenting with chest wall pain; the panel then explores their approaches to managing toxicities, including rashes and sores, by employing dose reductions and steroids to control adverse reactions.

Alexander Spira, MD, PhD, FACP, presents a case of a 45-year-old male with stage IV NSCLC, bone and liver metastases, and an EGFR exon 20 insertion; the panel then discusses their approach to treating brain metastases using stereotactic radiosurgery radiation therapy.

The panelists explore the importance of communicating with patients, nurses, and caregivers about potential adverse reactions and injection site reactions, while emphasizing the need to offer ongoing reassurance and support throughout the treatment journey.