Selumetinib for KRAS-Mutant Lung Cancer

Adding selumetinib to docetaxel significantly improved response rates and progression-free survival in patients with metastatic, non–small-cell lung cancer.

KRAS mutations are present in 20% to 25% of non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumors and are associated with poor outcomes. Despite two decades of research, no specific therapy for patients with KRAS-mutant disease has emerged.

Now, investigators have conducted an industry-funded, international, randomized, multicenter, placebo-controlled, phase II trial to test the effectiveness of selumetinib, an inhibitor of MEK1/MEK2 kinases, downstream of KRAS. A total of 83 patients with verified KRAS-mutant metastatic NSCLC who experienced disease progression after first-line therapy were randomized to receive docetaxel (75 mg/m² on day 1 of a 21-day cycle) plus either selumetinib (75 mg orally twice daily on a 21-day cycle) or placebo.

After median f…

Reviewing Author

Ramaswamy Govindan, MD