Dr. Herbst Discusses Challenges With Immunotherapy in NSCLC

Roy S. Herbst, MD, PhD, Ensign Professor of Medicine and professor of pharmacology, chief of Medical Oncology, Yale Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital; associate director for Translational Research, Yale Cancer Center; Disease Aligned Research Team (DART) Leader, Thoracic Oncology Program, Yale Cancer Center, discusses challenges with immunotherapy in non—small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

The challenges are minimal compared to the benefit for the patient, Herbst says, but staying up-to-date on the data with immunotherapy is critical as the sheer amount of it is sometimes intimidating. There are multiple agents and combinations in the landscape, creating a plethora of choices for the clinician. The clinician needs to understand these data, and with patients being more educated now than ever, these conversations have become more complex, Herbst says.

The bar has been raised very high, but clinical trials need to continue to be a part of the discussion, Herbst adds. People must carefully look at clinical trials, as there are so many possibilities. There is a lot of knowledge that needs to be translated, which can be done through media and other mediums.