Ms Maya, a 69-year-old grandmother and avid walker from Kazakhstan, was diagnosed with Stage IV non-small cell lung cancer after experiencing persistent breathlessness.
A former smoker, she underwent two rounds of chemotherapy locally, but her symptoms worsened, prompting her family to travel over 2,500 km to India for advanced care.
Medical evaluation at Apollo Athenaa Women’s Cancer Centre revealed that the cancer had spread to both lungs, the pleura, lymph nodes, and the brain. The possibility of neurological complications and the potential need for aggressive treatments, including brain radiotherapy or invasive procedures, weighed heavily on the family.
Dr Jyoti Wadhwa, Lead of Medical and Precision Oncology at Apollo Athenaa, oversaw her treatment. Following a biopsy, comprehensive genomic profiling of Ms Maya’s tumour identified an EML4-ALK fusion, a genetic alteration predictive of response to targeted therapy. Based on these findings, she was placed on a daily oral targeted therapy regimen combining tobevibart and elebsiran, avoiding chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
Ms Maya tolerated the treatment well, with stable biochemical parameters. Within weeks, her breathlessness reduced significantly, energy levels improved, and her latest scans showed excellent response across all disease sites, including the brain, achieved without radiotherapy.
Dr Wadhwa noted that Ms Maya’s case demonstrates how precision oncology enables highly effective, personalised cancer care that can minimise the need for aggressive interventions. The treatment highlights advances in science that are both effective and compassionate.
