Kicking Cancer's __s! (Part 3)

Dusty speaks with Terri, the creator of KRAS Kickers, a group where researchers, patients, and caregivers come together for greater KRAS lung cancer awareness. Hear the beginning of Terri's story in Kicking Cancer's __s! (Part 1) and Kicking Cancer's __s! (Part 2).

It is important to understand that targeted therapy for one subtype of KRAS may not benefit patients with a different KRAS subtype. The KRAS G12C is the most common KRAS mutation in lung cancer, accounting for about 13 percent of non-small cell lung cancer cases.¹ Researchers estimate 25,000 lung cancer patients are diagnosed with the KRAS G12C biomarker in the US each year.²

Cracking the KRAS code

A couple of KRAS targeted therapies are showing promise in clinical trials. One -- sotorasib -- was just granted FDA “breakthrough therapy designation” for KRAS G12C patients with advanced or metastatic lung cancer who were treated previously by a systemic therapy.

“We are on the cusp of cracking the KRAS code,” says Terri. “In the meantime, there are other companies all over the world working on this. Many of these companies are collaborating with others on this because they realize this isn’t just a one and done thing. You need to be able to attack this KRAS from different angles.”

Comprehensive biomarker testing

One of the current challenges facing the broader lung cancer community is the lack of biomarker testing. Potentially, the KRAS community may be impacted even more significantly by the lack of biomarker testing because doctors may not be aware of the progress being made in KRAS clinical trials. Patients who do not have comprehensive biomarker testing cannot benefit from a KRAS trial or from potential targeted therapy -- if FDA approved.

“Doctors can’t present the best choice for patients if they don’t have the most current information. There is so much going on within the lung cancer research field that it truly takes a specialist to stay up to date with all the emerging treatment options. In this day of tele-med, it is easier than ever to get a second opinion from a doctor at a research hospital.”

Kicking cancer's KRAS

Connected patients are empowered patients. Terri, who had been an engaged member of the LiveLung lung cancer group in Charlotte, NC, experienced the benefits of connecting with others in her community, as well as learning from expert speakers at meetings.

“Getting involved with your own type of people and your own type of community doesn’t mean you don’t have friends in other groups.”

But patients with KRAS are connected in a special way, as are patients within other biomarker groups.

“It’s more empowering. These are my family of people. And we can just relate in a different way.

James Hiter, Jr., a stage IV lung cancer patient with the KRAS biomarker joined the KRAS Kickers to connect with others and share knowledge.

“When I was first diagnosed,” says James, “there wasn’t much information available about KRAS. Then in 2018, I met Jackie Keast at the LUNGevity Survivorship Conference. While other mutations had their own breakouts, Jackie and I sat together and talked. We continued to be connected. As much as I enjoyed this connection, I was envious of the comradery of the other mutation-centered groups. Those groups seemed to have far more to discuss and celebrate. The advancements in EGFR and ALK were phenomenal and exciting. They had real success stories.

“Recently, all the ingredients have come together to create something special,” says James,  “Advances in KRAS targeted therapies, the need for connection, and Terri’s leadership and vision. With the advent of KRAS Kickers, I feel we have a group where there is real comradery, cutting-edge information, and hope. Now I’m a part of a global KRAS community. Medical advances continue to give us even more hope for the future. Experiencing that hope with others in similar situations is very meaningful.”

“Our tagline says at all: Kick cancer’s KRAS,” says Terri.

For more information, visit the KRAS Kickers website.