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JAMA Oncology Clinical Evidence Synopsis
September 2017

Targeted Therapy as an Alternative to Whole-Brain Radiotherapy in EGFR-Mutant or ALK-Positive Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer With Brain Metastases

Author Affiliations
  • 1Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
  • 2Department of Radiation Oncology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital & Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
JAMA Oncol. 2017;3(9):1274-1275. doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2017.1047
Abstract

Clinical Question  Is up-front whole-brain radiotherapy required to treat multiple brain metastases from non–small-cell lung cancer when highly active targeted therapies are available?

Clinical Application  Patients with EGFR-mutant or ALK-positive non–small-cell lung cancer with brain metastases now have the potential to achieve a prolonged survival. Through use of highly active targeted therapies, whole-brain radiotherapy can be safely postponed, diminishing toxic effects that could impair quality of life.

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