Help design a lung cancer study looking at the potential benefits of ‘stop/ start’ treatment

Many patients with a type of lung cancer known as EGFR-positive lung cancer are treated with a tablet called osimertinib. This belongs to a group of targeted therapy drugs known as cancer growth inhibitors. This is usually taken every day without breaks.

However, some research suggests that having breaks in the treatment delays the time until cancer becomes resistant to treatment and this may control the cancer for longer. Taking less of the drug may also reduce side effects.

We are planning a study looking at stopping and starting osimerinib (giving treatment breaks of one month or longer). We will use a blood test to guide decisions about starting and stopping the osimertinib. This blood test is known as ctDNA and tests for DNA shed from the cancer, the levels of ctDNA go up when the cancer is growing. We will also do regular scans to assess the cancer. Participants will be well monitored and can revert to continuous osimertinib at any time.

How can you get involved?

We would be really interested in hearing from people affected by lung cancer (particularly EGFR-positive lung cancer) for your views on this research.

• Do you think this research could be useful?
• Would having a break from taking the osimertinib, with monitoring by blood tests and scans, be worrying to you?
• Would anything extra reassure you on having breaks in treatment?

Please fill out the short survey below.