Hi all
During my multiple investigations for lung cancer it was found I have the KRAS mutant gene. Reading up on it, it can be quite scary. Apparently 1 in 8 people diagnosed with NSCLC adenocarcinoma have this gene present. Scientists and cancer research specialists have dubbed this mutant gene the "Death Star" because the cells resembles the space station in the Star Wars film and is impenetrable. The KRAS gene is a trigger for cancer of the lung, bowel and pancreas. A nicer nickname would have been better though.
My lung cancer was in the top left lung close to the sternum and was T2a M0 N0, size 2.5cm. I had two and a half weeks of targeted SABR radiotherapy which finished last December 15th. A subsequent follow up CT scan March 18th and results April 2nd showed I had a positive reaction to the SABR and the cancer had shrunk and the cancer cells were dying off quickly.
At my follow up appointment with the Oncologist on the 2nd April I asked about the KRAS gene. He explained that, while the KRAS gene in itself is not good, the good news is that, and I quote my Oncologist; "god forbid it starts growing again, we now have medication to stop the KRAS gene in its tracks". The medication is called "Sotorasib" and is in pill form which the patient can self-administer at home. This new form of treatment was only approved for NHS use in March 2022. It is prescribed only after a patient has been through all the normal treatment channels and unfortunately they have a recurrence.
Because of the positive results from my treatment, I now do not need a follow up until mid-September, something good at last has come out of the last 8 months.
I'm posting this because I just wanted to make people aware of this new medication, a positive breakthrough, and to be able to just take a pill at home instead of gruelling treatment, albeit only for KRAS positive patients.
Hi Sanguinesse thank you for sharing, it is very interesting to hear how new medications are coming through giving positive news to so many people. When I first joined the Macmillan online community, a few years back, immunotherapy was in the very early days of trials for lung cancer. Today it is one of the main treatments, which just shows how far things have come.
I know how daunting having the KRAS mutation must be for you, but having this Sotorasib as a backup for you, must be very reassuring. I remember reading about it when it was first mentioned, and I think I have posted this information from NHS England before, but will re post as it is very informative.
