Trastuzumab deruxtecan significantly improves survival in HER2-mutant lung cancer

A phase 3 clinical trial has demonstrated that trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) significantly improves progression-free survival when used as first-line treatment for advanced or metastatic HER2-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), compared to the standard combination of pembrolizumab plus platinum-based chemotherapy. These promising results were presented at the 2026 International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer World Conference. The finding offers an important new treatment option for patients with this specific genetic mutation, potentially improving outcomes and quality of life. This targeted therapy approach represents a significant advancement in personalized cancer treatment for lung cancer patients.