A genetic change or mutation in the tumors of some people who have non-small cell lung cancer has been difficult to treat due to the lack of drugs that target this mutation. Results from a phase 2 clinical trial now show that a drug called sotorasib, which inhibits the KRAS G12C mutation, prevented progression of cancer for a median of 6.8 months in patients who have KRAS G12C–mutated advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

“Previously, we’ve not had any targeted therapy treatment options for these patients,” Vamsidhar Velcheti, MD, an associate professor in the Department of Medicine and director of the Thoracic Medical Oncology Program at NYU Langone Health’s Perlmutter Cancer Center, tells CURE magazine. “And the CodeBreaK 100 trial demonstrates that this drug, sotorasib, can shrink cancers and is extremely well tolerated compared to traditional chemotherapy.”

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