Read time: 2 minutes.
Many people have heard of HER2-positive breast cancer. But HER2 is an important biomarker found in many different types of cancer—including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
A lot is known about how to treat HER2 in breast cancer, and researchers are leveraging that knowledge to bring treatment options to people living with HER2-positive NSCLC.
In the video below, Dr. Ibiayi Dagogo-Jack, assistant professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and thoracic oncologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, talks with LUNGevity’s Dr. Amy Moore about some of the frequently asked questions by people with HER2-positive NSCLC.
You can watch the entire conversation or use the timestamps below to find specific topics.
Explaining HER2 Biomarkers and Why They Matter: 00:45 – 9:57
Setting the stage for the rest of the conversation, Dr. Dagogo-Jack covers the testing and detection process for HER2 NSCLC, how the biomarker is similar and different between lung and breast cancer, and how the last 20 years of research have made a difference.
Treating HER2 NSCLC and Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs): 9:59 – 18:12
When we talk about antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) they are neither chemotherapy nor targeted therapy, but probably a mixing of the two. I tend to use the term smart chemotherapy.
-Dr. Dagogo-Jack
Brain Metastases and HER2 NSCLC: 18:13 – 19:30
HER2 NSCLC has been known to advance to the brain, so Dr. Dagogo-Jack talks about a pleasant surprise we've seen in HER2 treatments having positive impacts on brain metastases.
What Else Should People Know About HER2 NSCLC: 19:31 – 20:12
From inflammatory lung disease (ILD) to reducing dosage amounts and potential side effects, Dr. Dagogo-Jack closes the conversation by touching on key points people with HER2 NSCLC should know before starting treatment. She even shares what makes her excited and optimistic about the future of treating HER2-positive NSCLC.
If you have HER2-positive NSCLC, the LUNGevity Rare Mutations Patient Gateway has more information about all available treatments, finding a specialist, clinical trials, online patient groups, and more.