In this episode of the Oncology Brothers podcast, we dived into the highlights from the recently concluded World Conference on Lung Cancer 2025. We were joined by Dr. Balazs Halmos, a thoracic medical oncologist from the Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center, to discuss three pivotal studies that emerged from the conference: FLAURA2, HARMONi, and ALCHEMIST.
We kick off with the FLAURA2 trial, which investigates the combination of osimertinib and chemotherapy for patients with EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer. Dr. Halmos shares exciting findings, revealing a significant overall survival benefit of nearly 10 months when compared to single-agent osimertinib. While this combination offers promising results, it also comes with the challenge of managing chemotherapy-related side effects.
Next, we explore the HARMONi trial, which examines a novel bi-specific antibody targeting both PD-1 and VEGF in patients with progressive EGFR-positive disease. Although the trial showed a progression-free survival benefit, it ultimately did not meet the statistical significance for overall survival, leaving us with more questions than answers about its clinical utility.
Finally, we discuss the ALCHEMIST trial, which evaluated crizotinib in the adjuvant setting for ALK-positive lung cancer. The results were disappointing, reinforcing that electinib remains the standard of care in this space.
Throughout our conversation, we emphasized the importance of precision medicine and shared decision-making in oncology. As we navigate these complex treatment landscapes, we remain hopeful for the future of our patients, who are living longer thanks to these advancements.
Thank you for joining us in this insightful discussion, and we look forward to bringing you more updates from upcoming conferences like SABCS and ASH 2025.