Edgardo Santos, MD, FACP, FASCO
Articles by Edgardo Santos, MD, FACP, FASCO
This opening section introduces the COPERNICUS study and frames it within the evolving treatment landscape for EGFR mutated metastatic non small cell lung cancer. Dr Santos outlines the major advances achieved in recent years, particularly through the MARIPOSA trial, which demonstrated significant improvements in progression free and overall survival with amivantamab plus lazertinib. Despite these gains, he emphasizes that meaningful gaps remain in real world care, including treatment burden, infusion related reactions, and prolonged clinic chair time.
The discussion establishes COPERNICUS as a pragmatic phase two study designed to address these challenges by focusing not only on efficacy but also on feasibility and patient experience. Subcutaneous administration of amivantamab is introduced as a key innovation, offering comparable exposure and clinical activity with fewer administration related reactions and shorter treatment time. Dr Santos explains how simplifying delivery and reducing visit frequency may improve access and quality of life for patients who often remain on therapy long term.
This section also introduces the broader philosophy of COPERNICUS, which aims to reflect routine oncology practice rather than highly selected trial populations. By incorporating lessons learned from MARIPOSA and prioritizing practicality, the study seeks to bridge the gap between clinical trial success and everyday patient care. Overall, this segment sets the foundation for understanding why COPERNICUS represents an important step forward in optimizing first line EGFR targeted therapy.
Supporting Long-Term Outcomes Through a Multidisciplinary and Patient-Centered Approach
ByMisako Nagasaka, MD, PhD,Luis Raez, MD,Edgardo Santos, MD, FACP, FASCO,Jun Zhang, MD, PhD Misako Nagasaka, MD, PhD, summarizes the key takeaways: proactive AE management, CNS vigilance, and strategic sequencing as hallmarks of modern care for EGFR-mutant NSCLC.
Multidisciplinary Approaches to Patient Management and Quality of Life
ByMisako Nagasaka, MD, PhD,Luis Raez, MD,Edgardo Santos, MD, FACP, FASCO,Jun Zhang, MD, PhD The discussion underscores the role of multidisciplinary coordination in maintaining adherence, quality of life, and long-term therapeutic benefit.
Strategies for Sequencing Chemotherapy to Minimize Long-Term Toxicities
ByMisako Nagasaka, MD, PhD,Luis Raez, MD,Edgardo Santos, MD, FACP, FASCO,Jun Zhang, MD, PhD Experts debate when to introduce chemotherapy, how to manage its cumulative toxicity, and how to de-escalate maintenance regimens.
Managing Chemotherapy Toxicity and Maintenance Decisions
ByMisako Nagasaka, MD, PhD,Luis Raez, MD,Edgardo Santos, MD, FACP, FASCO,Jun Zhang, MD, PhD The panel explores integrating molecular data to guide therapy selection and optimize sequencing strategies after resistance emerges.
Balancing Efficacy and Tolerability in Dual Inhibition
ByMisako Nagasaka, MD, PhD,Luis Raez, MD,Edgardo Santos, MD, FACP, FASCO,Jun Zhang, MD, PhD A second case illustrates clinical decision-making after progression on osimertinib, highlighting diagnostic re-biopsy and ctDNA testing.
Sequencing After Amivantamab + Lazertinib and Cumulative Toxicity
ByMisako Nagasaka, MD, PhD,Luis Raez, MD,Edgardo Santos, MD, FACP, FASCO,Jun Zhang, MD, PhD The conversation shifts to how dual EGFR-MET inhibition reduces resistance mutations and molecular heterogeneity compared with osimertinib monotherapy.
Patient Profile 2: Progression Beyond First Line
ByMisako Nagasaka, MD, PhD,Luis Raez, MD,Edgardo Santos, MD, FACP, FASCO,Jun Zhang, MD, PhD The panel reviews components of the COCOON prophylactic regimen and the safe use of temporary dose modifications to maintain adherence.
Mechanisms of Resistance and Dual EGFR-MET Targeting
ByMisako Nagasaka, MD, PhD,Luis Raez, MD,Edgardo Santos, MD, FACP, FASCO,Jun Zhang, MD, PhD Discussion centers on early dermatologic AEs with amivantamab plus lazertinib, emphasizing prevention protocols and staff education.
Managing Early Adverse Events With Amivantamab + Lazertinib
ByMisako Nagasaka, MD, PhD,Luis Raez, MD,Edgardo Santos, MD, FACP, FASCO,Jun Zhang, MD, PhD The physicians share real-world imaging schedules, triggers for adding local therapy, and lessons from serial MRI data in the MARIPOSA trial.
CNS Surveillance and Local Therapy Integration
ByMisako Nagasaka, MD, PhD,Luis Raez, MD,Edgardo Santos, MD, FACP, FASCO,Jun Zhang, MD, PhD The panel examines a 59-year-old woman with small brain metastases, addressing therapy selection to balance CNS control, survival, and quality of life.
Selecting First-Line Therapy for EGFR-Mutated NSCLC
ByMisako Nagasaka, MD, PhD,Luis Raez, MD,Edgardo Santos, MD, FACP, FASCO,Jun Zhang, MD, PhD Experts discuss applying emerging evidence from MARIPOSA and FLAURA2 to first-line decision-making in EGFR-mutated disease.
Patient Profile 1: Baseline Brain Metastases and Frontline Decision-Making
ByMisako Nagasaka, MD, PhD,Luis Raez, MD,Edgardo Santos, MD, FACP, FASCO,Jun Zhang, MD, PhD Misako Nagasaka, MD, PhD, Dr. Nagasaka introduces the panel and outlines the session’s focus on applying new EGFR-mutated NSCLC data to practice, with emphasis on CNS control and toxicity prevention.
