How zongertinib was developed for HER2-mutant non-small cell lung cancer: a plain language summary

Plain Language SummaryWhat is this summary about?Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer. About 2–4% of people with NSCLC have a type of DNA change known as a mutation in a gene called HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2). This type of lung cancer is called HER2-mutant NSCLC.Until recently, trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) was the only approved medicine that targets HER2 in people with HER2- mutant NSCLC. However, T-DXd must be given through an intravenous drip (directly into a vein) at a hospital or clinic. It can also cause side effects that can be difficult to manage. There was therefore a need for other HER2-targeted treatments that are more convenient, while minimizing side effects.Zongertinib was designed to selectively block the activity of HER2, with the aim of reducing side effects compared with some other medicines. As it is now available for doctors to use in the clinic, this summary explains how zongertinib works, what researchers found in clinical studies, and how it may provide a new treatment option for people living with HER2-mutant NSCLC.What are the key takeaways?Zongertinib is an oral medicine (taken as a tablet) called a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that specifically targets HER2. It was developed to address the unmet need for a treatment for HER2-mutant NSCLC that could specifically block HER2.In the Beamion LUNG-1 trial, zongertinib helped shrink tumors or stop them from growing in people who had already received treatment for HER2- mutant NSCLC. Most side effects experienced by patients were mild. Zongertinib provides a new targeted treatment option for people with HER2-mutant NSCLC.