Stage IV EGFR Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Saila's Patient Story

Patient Info: Saila Hanninen, Under 40 | Stage IV

Biomarkers: EGFR mutation

After progression on earlier EGFR-directed treatment and other therapies, Saila began chemotherapy and her cancer was stable at the time of the story.

Dana-FarberRead more →

Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Tomma's Patient Story

Patient Info: Tomma Hargraves, Female | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: brain

After a later brain and lymph-node relapse was brought under control, Tomma had no further cancer treatment and remained active in survivorship advocacy. She died on September 7, 2023.

Tomma Hargraves: Choosing to Help Other Patients after Surviving Lung Cancer

Patient Info: Tomma Hargraves | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: brain

After treatment and a later recurrence, Tomma went many years without further cancer treatment and became a patient navigator and advocate. She died on September 7, 2023.

Stage IV RET Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Sara's Patient Story

Patient Info: Sara Whitlock, Female, 40s | Stage IV

Biomarkers: RET fusion-positive NSCLC

Metastatic Site: Brain; abdomen; bowel

As of November 2019, Sara had Stage IV RET fusion-positive NSCLC with a long-term response and no signs of cancer while taking selpercatinib/LOXO-292 on a clinical trial, with ongoing monthly follow-up.

Cleveland ClinicRead more →

Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Donna's Patient Story

Patient Info: Donna Fernandez, Female, 50s | Stage IV

While receiving nivolumab on a Phase III trial, Donna’s tumors remained present but stopped growing, and she was able to return to an active daily life.

Stage III Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Renee's Patient Story

Patient Info: Renee Shine, Female, 60s | Stage III

Renee’s tumor responded to pembrolizumab, and she remained on treatment through the clinical trial while describing herself as thriving.

Stage IV EGFR Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Ginger's Patient Story

Patient Info: Ginger Tam, Female | Stage IV

Biomarkers: EGFR mutation

Ginger lived for more than 5 years with metastatic lung cancer while receiving multiple research-driven treatments. She died on February 10, 2018.

Long-Term Nivolumab Response With Thyroid and Adrenal Side Effects

Patient Info: Anonymized, Male, 50s | Stage IV

Nivolumab remained ongoing at course 82, tumor burden had fallen to one-fifth of baseline, and no disease progression was documented.

PubMed CentralRead more →

ERBB2-Mutated Stage III Lung Cancer With Liver Recurrence and Multiple Lines of Therapy

Patient Info: Anonymized, female, 60s | Stage IV

Biomarkers: ERBB2 exon 20 insertion

Metastatic Site: liver

After 6 months of disease control on vinorelbine plus trastuzumab, the cancer progressed in all sites and she chose hospice care.

PubMed CentralRead more →

Stage IV ERBB2-Mutated Lung Adenocarcinoma With Brain Metastases and Multiple Targeted Therapies

Patient Info: Anonymized, female, Under 40 | Stage IV

Biomarkers: ERBB2 exon 20 insertion, exact sequence not specified. ERBB2 copy-number gain was identified during progression on afatinib.

Metastatic Site: brain, adrenal gland, liver

The final documented afatinib plus bevacizumab rechallenge produced a mixed response followed by liver progression after 3 months.

PubMed CentralRead more →

Lung Cancer Immunotherapy Caused New Type 1 Diabetes

Patient Info: Anonymized, Male, 70+ | Stage IV

Biomarkers: No ALK, ROS1, KRAS or EGFR alteration was detected; CK7-positive; TTF-1-negative; PAX-negative; CK20-negative

Metastatic Site: Pleura

After 4 combination-treatment cycles, the right-lung nodules had decreased markedly and nearly resolved. He continued maintenance pembrolizumab every 3 weeks and remained on insulin with stable glucose control.

PubMed CentralRead more →

Metastatic lung cancer controlled on AZD9291 clinical trial with tracheal narrowing under review

Patient Info: Anonymized, Male | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: Metastasis mentioned; site not specified in this entry

On 20 November 2016, the patient’s tumor and metastasis appeared controlled on AZD9291 and the disease was not considered progressive, though tracheal narrowing required closer review and earlier follow-up.

Metastatic lung cancer on AZD9291 with a left iliac bone lesion

Patient Info: Anonymized, Male | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: Bone: left iliac bone

On 18 September 2016, the patient was living with lung cancer on AZD9291 after MRI confirmed a solitary left iliac bone lesion suspicious for metastasis, with radiotherapy deferred and the next CT planned for November.

Lung cancer on AZD9291 with tumor shrinkage and new suspected iliac bone metastasis

Patient Info: Anonymized, Male | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: Bone: left sacroiliac/iliac region

On 28 August 2016, AZD9291 had reduced the lung mass and stabilized nodes, but CT also showed a new suspected left iliac/sacroiliac bone metastasis requiring MRI workup.

EGFR-mutated lung cancer on AZD9291 clinical trial with improved symptoms

Patient Info: Anonymized, Male

Biomarkers: EGFR mutation

On 20 July 2016, the patient was on AZD9291 through a clinical trial, toxicity checks were reassuring, symptoms felt improved, and the next CT was planned for late August.

Lung cancer progression with T790M-positive tissue result and AZD9291 trial start

Patient Info: Anonymized, Male | Stage Metastatic/Advanced

Biomarkers: resistance detected in tissue biopsy

On 5 June 2016, CT showed lung tumor progression after afatinib, but a tissue T790M result allowed entry into an AZD9291 clinical trial and treatment had just started.