Hokkaido University · Medicine
Professor Hajime Asahina's research lab specializes in translational and clinical oncology, with a primary focus on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in elderly and genetically defined patient populations. The lab investigates targeted therapies such as gefitinib for EGFR-mutated NSCLC and evaluates the efficacy and safety of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) combined with chemotherapy in older adults. A key research direction involves improving minimally invasive diagnostic techniques, such as endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial biopsy (EBUS-TBB), for peripheral pulmonary lesions. The lab also contributes to global drug development, including clinical trials of novel agents like linifanib in Japanese and international cohorts.
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
Gefitinib represents a useful therapeutic option for selected previous gefitinib responders.
In this study, ICI-chemotherapy combination treatment did not improve survival and increased the incidence of grade 3 and higher immune-related adverse events compared with ICI alone in patients 75 years and older. Based on these results, ICI alone may be recommended for older adult patients with PD-L1-positive NSCLC.
ICI is also effective in elderly NSCLC patients, and treatment discontinuation due to irAEs may be a good prognostic marker.
Linifanib was well tolerated with promising preliminary clinical activity in Japanese patients. Later-phase global studies examining linifanib efficacy will include Japanese patients.
Our attempt to perform TBB under real-time EBUS guidance for PPLs was successful in 4 of 6 patients. There were some technical limitations using flexible bronchoscopy with 2 working channels. Improvement of instruments will be necessary for future trials of TBB under real-time EBUS guidance.
13014 Background: Activating mutations in exon 18–21 of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene have been reported to be a predictor of response to gefitinib. We conducted a phase II study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of gefitinib as a first-line therapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) with EGFR gene mutations. Methods: The primary endpoint was response rate (RR). Eligiblity criteria were stage IIIB or IV chemotherapy naive NSCLC, ECOG PS of 0–2, adequate organ
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