In this special edition of the "Lung Cancer Living Room," hosted by Danielle Hicks, Chief Patient Officer at GO2 for Lung Cancer, the discussion centers around biomarker testing, with a particular focus on KRAS mutations. The episode features insights from Dr. Blakely, an assistant clinical professor from UCSF, and Terri Conneran, a lung cancer survivor and founder of KRAS Kickers.
The session explores the critical role of biomarker testing in lung cancer treatment, emphasizing its importance not only at the time of diagnosis but also upon disease progression. Dr. Blakely and Terri Conneran delve into how precision medicine, tailored to individual patient profiles identified through biomarker testing, is pivotal for selecting the most effective treatments.
Dr. Blakely recounts the advancements in lung cancer treatments over the past years, noting significant progress from the days when chemotherapy and early targeted therapies were the only options, to the current landscape where novel targeted therapies and immunotherapies offer hope for better outcomes and potentially curing metastatic cases.
Terri Conneran shares her personal journey with lung cancer, highlighting the transformative impact of understanding one's biomarker profile. She discusses the formation of KRAS Kickers, a group aimed at supporting those identified with KRAS mutations, which are common yet challenging to treat. Her story underscores the empowerment and community support crucial for navigating lung cancer treatment.
The dialogue also covers the evolution of treatments for various stages of lung cancer, including the promising shift of targeted therapies into early-stage treatment to improve cure rates. The importance of ongoing biomarker testing, even post-surgery or during treatment progression, to adapt therapeutic strategies based on emerging resistance patterns is stressed.
This episode of the "Lung Cancer Living Room" aims not only to inform but also to empower patients to engage actively with their healthcare providers about the latest in biomarker testing and personalized treatment strategies. The conversation is an advocate for patient education and the right to access cutting-edge treatments through clinical trials and specialized care.