Community of Scholars seminar to explore lung cancer treatment

The next presentation in the UB Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) Community of Scholars Seminar Series, which invites speakers to discuss topics addressing health disparities and clinical and translational research, will explore the treatment of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Presenting the seminar at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, January 24, is Pasi A. Jänne, MD, PhD, Director, Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology;  Director, Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science; Director, Chen-Huang Center for EGFR Mutant Lung Cancers, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; and Senior Physician, Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School. He will present “New Strategies for the Treatment of EGFR Mutant Non-small Cell Lung Cancer” online via Zoom. Register here to watch the seminar live.

Jänne was invited to speak by CTSI K Scholar David E. Heppner, PhD, Jere Solo Assistant Professor of Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences — a member of the 2022 CTSI K Scholar cohort.

“Dr. Jänne is on the cutting edge concerning the development and clinical deployment of targeted therapies in lung cancer,” Heppner says. “His clinical and research focuses exemplify translational approaches to overcome emerging therapeutic resistance in oncology with no clear alternative treatment options.”

Jänne’s main research interests include studying the therapeutic relevance of oncogenic alterations in lung cancer. He was one of the co-discoverers of EGFR mutations and has led the development of therapeutic strategies for patients with EGFR mutant lung cancer.

At the seminar on January 24, Jänne will discuss an alternative strategy to enhance the initial effect of EGFR inhibition through combination approaches. To date, these include adding a second EGFR inhibitor, combining osimertinib with MEK inhibition or the addition of chemotherapy to an EGFR inhibitor. While definitive clinical data is lacking from these approaches, findings from these studies may shape the future landscape of first line treatment of EGFR mutant NSCLC. Read the full seminar abstract here.

For questions about the CTSI Community of Scholars Seminar Series, write to scholar1@buffalo.edu or call 716-829-4718.