Dr. Eric K. Singhi

Dr. Eric Singhi sat down with CURE to break down the findings from the phase 3 FLAURA2 study, presented at the 2025 IASLC World Conference on Lung Cancer.

FLAURA2 Shows Tagrisso Plus Chemo Boosts Survival in EGFR+ Lung Cancer  

Dr. Eric Singhi sat down with CURE to break down the latest findings from the phase 3 FLAURA2 study, presented at the World Conference on Lung Cancer.

He explained how adding chemotherapy to Tagrisso (osimertinib) improved overall survival for patients with EGFR-positive lung cancer by nearly 10 months compared with Tagrisso alone.

Singhi, an assistant professor in both the Department of General Oncology and Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, in Houston, also addressed how long patients typically stay on chemotherapy in this setting and highlighted the importance of shared decision-making when considering treatment options.

Dr. Singhi, during the Presidential Symposium we heard important updates on EGFR-positive lung cancer, particularly the FLAURA2 study. Can you walk us through the key findings and what they mean for patients?

Hello from Barcelona! I'm excited to be here and to really understand the data that we can bring home for our patients, which is potentially practice-changing. On Sunday's Presidential Symposium here at the World Conference on Lung Cancer, we heard about updates for our patients with EGFR-positive disease. One of the studies we've been waiting for an update on is the FLAURA2 study.

This is a phase 3 study, so it had a lot of patients who were enrolled. Patients were either randomized to the arm that had Tagrisso plus chemotherapy or Tagrisso alone. We were waiting to see not only if one regimen helps control the disease longer or helps shrink the disease better, but also if the regimen truly helps patients live longer.

What we found was that, yes, if you combine Tagrisso plus chemotherapy, it does improve what we call overall survival; in other words, how long patients are living. On average, we saw about a 10-month improvement in overall survival if patients received chemotherapy with their Tagrisso. This is a really important thing to consider and to have an informed, shared decision-making conversation with your care team if you're newly diagnosed with EGFR-positive lung cancer and are thinking through your treatment options.

Another really good question that was answered, and probably a very common question that many oncologists get in their clinic, is, “How long do I have to be on the chemotherapy for? Can I just be on the Tagrisso pill at some point?” On average, in the study, we saw that patients were on the chemotherapy portion for about 8.3 months. This gives you a little perspective on how long patients are able to tolerate chemotherapy, and most of them, unfortunately, have to discontinue the chemotherapy because of side effects. That was just a recap of the FLAURA2 study.

Again, there were a lot of really exciting studies here. Continue to follow along and take care.

Transcript has been edited for clarity and conciseness.

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Videos

Expert oncologists Dr. Joshua K. Sabari and Dr. Eric K. Singhi break down key updates and takeaways in lung cancer treatment following ASCO 2025.

Bringing Light to More Personalized Medicine in Lung Cancer After ASCO 2025

During the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting, key updates were shared across all of oncology, including across lung cancer care. These updates are important for patients to learn more about, as these new data are driving the future of their care and changing the standards in which they are treated.

Expert oncologists, Dr. Joshua K. Sabari and Dr. Eric K. Singhi, sat down to discuss these updates and share their thoughts on how this affects patients and caregivers in an interview hosted by Singhi.

Singhi, an assistant professor in the Department of General Oncology and the Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, in Houston, kicked off the conversation by discussing key outcomes from the CheckMate 816 trial; five-year overall survival updates from the study were shared at the meeting.

The trial evaluated treatment with a combination of chemotherapy plus immunotherapy given before surgery compared with chemotherapy alone before surgery. What investigators found is that patients who were treated with the combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy before surgery benefited most compared with those who did not receive the investigative treatment. Moreover, at the five-year update, 65% of patients were still alive when treated with the investigative regimen compared with 55% of patients alive who had chemotherapy alone before surgery.

"Whenever a patient goes gets their tumor removed, after surgery, we look under the microscope, and we look to see how many cancer cells are still alive. What we saw was that in patients that got chemotherapy and immunotherapy together before surgery, there was a higher chance of having no living cancer cells still there at the time of surgery. So that was really important," Singhi explained in the interview.

Moreover, Sabari went on to ask Singhi about the treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose disease has a KRAS G12c mutation; patients with this mutation make up approximately 30% of all NSCLCs. Singhi responded by saying that the big question in this patient population is to see if some of these targeted therapies can be moved into earlier stages of treatment.

The pair concluded by calling for more actionable, phase 3 data where an experimental treatment is tested versus a control arm.

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"Her compassion, expertise and commitment to personalized patient care for patients make her a shining beacon of hope and healing for those battling lung cancer."

It is with great pleasure that I nominate Amy Wallace, RN, OCN, an exceptional oncology nurse at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, for the Extraordinary Healer Award. Amy has dedicated her life to providing compassionate care and support to patients with lung cancer, embodying the qualities of empathy, expertise and dedication.

As a practicing thoracic medical oncologist at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, I have known Amy for two years now as my primary nurse in my thoracic medical oncology clinic. Together, we have cared for hundreds of patients with lung cancer and their families who are not only from the state of Texas, but also travel from other national and international locations to meet with us.

What sets Amy apart is her profound understanding of the challenges faced by patients with cancer, as she has personally experienced the impact of this disease within her own family. Having lost a family member to cancer, she channels this poignant experience into her work, fostering a deep connection with her patients and their loved ones. This unique empathy creates a comforting and understanding environment, helping patients feel heard and supported.

Amy is renowned for her calming presence, which becomes immediately apparent when patients meet her. Many of our patients and their loves ones are understandably anxious at our initial medical oncology visit. Amy’s ability to instill a sense of peace and reassurance is invaluable, especially in the challenging journey that is a cancer diagnosis. Patients often express how her comforting demeanor has a positive impact on their overall well-being. They look forward to not only meeting with me at follow-up visits but also Amy.

Furthermore, Amy goes above and beyond to personalize the scheduling of appointments for her patients. Recognizing the significance of maximizing quality of life and minimizing time spent at our cancer center, she tailors their schedules with meticulous attention to detail. This thoughtful approach showcases her commitment to enhancing the overall patient experience.

In preparation for patient visits, Amy demonstrates exceptional dedication. Her thorough preparation ensures that each patient receives personalized and effective care. Moreover, her commitment extends beyond the clinic as she diligently follows up with patients, ensuring they feel supported and addressing any concerns that may arise post-appointment as they continue through their cancer treatment journey.

What truly sets Amy apart is her team approach to patient care. She collaborates seamlessly with other health care professionals, as the care of a patient with lung cancer is very heavily focused on multidisciplinary care, fostering an environment of comprehensive support for patients and their families. This collaborative spirit enhances the overall effectiveness of the care provided and reinforces the sense of community within the health care team.

. Her compassion, expertise and commitment to personalized patient care for patients make her a shining beacon of hope and healing for those battling lung cancer.

I am honored to nominate Amy Wallace, RN, an oncology nurse at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, for the CURE Extraordinary Healer award. Amy embodies the essence of exceptional nursing care, compassion and dedication to her patients and colleagues. With over a decade of experience in oncology, she has developed a unique expertise in cancer care, providing individualized attention to each patient’s physical and emotional needs. Her unwavering empathy and kindness create a safe and supportive environment for patients and their families during their most vulnerable moments.

Amy’s exceptional clinical skills are complemented by her leadership and mentorship. She actively participates in professional development, staying updated on the latest cancer treatments and best practices. She eagerly shares her knowledge with colleagues, fostering a collaborative work environment that benefits patients and staff alike. Her tireless advocacy for patients extends beyond the bedside, driving improvements in cancer care policies and protocols.

I strongly believe that Amy deserves recognition with the CURE Extraordinary Healer award for her outstanding contributions to the nursing profession and her unwavering commitment to cancer care. She is an inspiration for everyone, but especially for me. I look up to her to become an extraordinary, caring, kind and devoted nurse like Amy. I wish everyone could have a nurse like Amy. She is a wonderful nurse.

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Articles

Two colleagues of Amy Wallace, an oncology nurse, nominated her for the Extraordinary Healer Award based on her care of patients with lung cancer.

Dr. Eric K. Singhi

FLAURA2 Shows Tagrisso Plus Chemo Boosts Survival in EGFR+ Lung Cancer

Bringing Light to More Personalized Medicine in Lung Cancer After ASCO 2025

Guiding Hope for Patients With Lung Cancer

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