Survey Says Medical Oncologists Favor More Research on Combination Therapies for Advanced NSCLC

By: JNCCN 360 Staff
Posted: Monday, February 5, 2024

The results of a recent survey of U.S. medical oncologists on the current state of advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) suggest more research is needed in several areas to improve potential outcomes for patients. The survey, conducted online by The Harris Poll on behalf of the Cancer Research Institute (CRI) and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, included 250 oncologists who treat patients with advanced NSCLC. A majority of survey respondents agreed on the importance of having multiple treatment options for patients, and many are interested in additional research focused on new combination treatments involving immunotherapy.

The survey involved oncologists from 37 different states who practice in a variety of settings, ranging from private practice and community hospitals to national cancer centers. It identified considerable gaps where further research is needed to improve the landscape of advanced NSCLC, specifically regarding available treatment options, biomarker testing, and subpopulations.

Key Survey Findings

• In daily practice, oncologists reported that 45% of their patients with advanced NSCLC have hypertension.
• A total of 88% of oncologists agree that more clinical research is necessary to treat patients with advanced NSCLC who have comorbidities.
• Most oncologists consider treatment efficacy, biomarkers, and potential side effects or safety to be very important or absolutely essential considerations when making treatment decisions for patients with advanced NSCLC.
• Many oncologists (71%) are most interested in additional research being conducted on combination treatments involving immunotherapy for advanced NSCLC.
• Many oncologists are very interested in seeing more clinical research on how to treat patients who experience disease progression on immunotherapies (64%) or treatment-sequencing strategies (49%).
• Most oncologists (94%) agree biomarker testing is essential for determining advanced NSCLC treatment decisions beyond patient stratification.
• More than half of oncologists are interested in more research on emerging biomarkers (eg, KRAS, BRAF, and EGFR) as well as PD-L1 expression.
• Approximately three-quarters of oncologists think there are not enough resources available on the management of patients of color or elderly patients (aged 70+) with advanced NSCLC.

Cancer Research Institute

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