Summary
The FDA has approved a new drug called Datroway (datopotamab deruxtecan) for patients with EGFR-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have already tried targeted therapy and chemotherapy. This approval marks an important step forward in lung cancer treatment.
The FDA has approved a new drug called Datroway (datopotamab deruxtecan) for patients with EGFR-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have already tried targeted therapy and chemotherapy. This approval marks an important step forward in lung cancer treatment.
What Makes Datroway Special?
Datroway is the first antibody-drug conjugate approved for EGFR-positive NSCLC. It works by targeting cancer cells through a protein called TROP2 on their surface. Once attached, it delivers cancer-killing medicine directly into tumor cells, helping avoid damage to healthy cells.
How Well Does It Work?
According to Dr. Jacob A. Sands from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, two clinical trials showed promising results. The TROPION-Lung 01 and TROPION-Lung 05 trials demonstrated that patients’ cancer was controlled longer with Datroway compared to standard treatment, especially in patients with EGFR mutations.
What This Means for Patients
This approval gives patients a new treatment option when other therapies stop working. Patients with EGFR-positive NSCLC typically first receive targeted therapy, then chemotherapy. Now, Datroway offers a third option that works differently.
Dr. Sands noted that modern cancer treatments, including Datroway, often have fewer side effects than people expect, making the treatment experience more manageable.
Datroway belongs to antibody-drug conjugates, which have three parts:
- an antibody that finds cancer cells
- a cancer-killing drug
- a linker that holds them together
This targeted approach delivers treatment directly to cancer cells while protecting healthy cells throughout the body.
The FDA’s approval represents another step forward in lung cancer treatment, offering new hope to patients who need additional options.
