Chinese University of Hong Kong oncologist in cancer 'breakthrough'

Andrea Deng

China Daily

Publication Date : 11-12-2014

Targeted therapy was proved effective against a critical mutated gene found in some lung cancer patients. The milestone in lung cancer treatment was achieved by an oncologist at Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK).

Molecular targeted treatment, using a medicine called Crizotinib to attack mutated gene EML4-ALK, proved to produce more dramatic effect than standard chemotherapy, said CUHK clinical oncologist Tony Mok Shu-kam on Wednesday (Dec 10).

CUHK oncologists have recommended EML4-ALK test for every lung cancer patient, so that they may choose targeted therapy as a more effective treatment, in the event of testing positive.

Mok worked with Australian expert Benjamin Solomon between 2011 and 2013 to study the effect on 343 stage-four lung cancer patients in 27 countries and regions. Patients were equally divided into two groups, one undergoing standard chemotherapy and the other taking Crizotinib. The study showed that those who received targeted therapy usually lived longer than those subjected to standard chemotherapy.

While a large number of patients of both groups managed to survive for five months, only two out of 171 patients exposed to standard chemotherapy survived 20 months, while only 19 out of the 172 people undergoing targeted therapy did so.

Some of the patients who received Crizotinib are still alive, after more than two years.

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Chinese University of Hong Kong oncologist in cancer 'breakthrough'