Dr. Minna on Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy for Lung Cancer

John Minna, MD, Giant of Cancer Care: Lung Cancer, Max L. Thomas Distinguished Chair in Molecular Pulmonary Oncology, Sarah M. and Charles E. Seay Distinguished Chair in Cancer Research, Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology, Internal Medicine, Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, discusses the roles that both chemotherapy and radiation therapy will continue to have in the treatment of lung cancer.

Although there have been new therapies approved for the treatment of lung cancer, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are still beneficial for patients. In non—small cell lung cancer, platinum doublets are very effective, Minna says. These demonstrate activity in 20% to 30% of patients.

Based on sequencing data, researchers can predict which patients will respond to platinum-based therapies and tailor their treatment plans as such, known as precision medicine, Minna explains.