Breakthrough lung cancer drug to be available on the NHS

Posted: 01/11/2021

Following a search spanning four decades, a revolutionary new drug could represent a significant discovery for lung cancer patients.

Described by Cancer Research UK’s chief clinician, Professor Charles Swanton, as “one of the most exciting breakthroughs in lung cancer in 20 years”, the new drug is called Sotorasib (also known as Lumykras). Sotorasib was proven in clinical trials to stop lung cancer growth for seven months. It will be fast-tracked to around 600 NHS lung cancer patients initially, making them the first patients in Europe to be offered the new drug. Taken as a tablet, it will be an option for those patients with tumours that have begun to spread and who have already gone through immunotherapy or platinum-based chemotherapy, or both.

Sotorasib works by targeting the so-called ‘death star’ mutation on the KRAS gene, a mutation that is present in around a quarter of all tumours. Identified in 1982, the KRAS gene was one of the first cancer genes ever discovered and, together with mutations in two related genes (HRAS and NRAS), KRAS mutations are found in approximately a fifth of all cancers. This means that this new drug could represent a key development in research of treatments for other notoriously difficult to treat cancers that commonly share these genetic faults, such as pancreatic and colorectal cancers.

The ‘death star’ mutation gained the name due to its spherical appearance and the fact that it was previously thought to be impenetrable - the smooth surface of the protein means it lacks grooves to which drugs can easily attach. The KRAS gene normally switches on and off, signalling cells to grow and divide when it is switched on. The presence of the G12C mutation causes KRAS to act as if it is almost always switched on, resulting in the uncontrolled cell growth that is responsible for tumour formation. Sotorasib works by permanently switching off this mutation, thus stopping the cell division and tumour growth.

Lung cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK, with around 48,500 new lung cancer cases being diagnosed in the UK every year, and accounting for 13% of all new cancer cases. While this new drug could be an important development in the treatment of lung cancer, early diagnosis is still important to ensure that treatment is as effective as possible. As we approach the winter months, people will be understandably concerned about the burden the NHS may face in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the importance of seeking help and advice when needed cannot be overstated. Anyone experiencing symptoms or unusual changes including a continuous cough that isn’t Covid, persistent breathlessness, painful breathing or coughing, coughing up blood, or unexplained fatigue and weight loss, should contact their GP, as these can also be signs of cancer.

This article has been co-written with trainee solicitor Laura Tozer.

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