Dr. Anwen Xiong: Research Progress and Future Directions of QLC1101 in KRAS G12D-Mutant NSCLC | WCLC 2026
Dr. Anwen Xiong of Shanghai East Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University discussed emerging clinical data on QLC1101, a selective KRAS G12D inhibitor under investigation.
Editor's Note: The 2026 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC 2026), hosted by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC), was held in Seoul, South Korea, from September 12 to 15, 2026. FOCUS Clinical Scientists specially invited Dr. Anwen Xiong from Shanghai East Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University to provide an in-depth interpretation of the research data on QLC1101 in the treatment of KRAS G12D-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), covering topics such as the depth of response and safety profile, its prominent advantages over existing treatment regimens, and future pathways for combination development with immunotherapy/chemotherapy.
FOCUS Clinical Scientists: In the study of QLC1101 for KRAS G12D-mutant NSCLC, what are the depth of response and safety characteristics of this drug? As a G12D-targeted agent, what prominent advantages does QLC1101 have over existing chemotherapy or combination regimens? How do you plan its combination development pathway with immunotherapy/chemotherapy?
Dr. Anwen Xiong: For KRAS G12D, a target for which no targeted drug currently exists, clinical treatment faces great difficulties. If such patients cannot use KRAS G12D inhibitors, the effective options available after second- or third-line treatment are extremely limited, with an overall objective response rate (ORR) likely not exceeding 15%. Therefore, this population deserves great attention. What we reported this time is the highly selective KRAS inhibitor QLC1101. For patients lacking effective treatment options after multiple lines of therapy, we still observed a 35% response rate. Compared with the previous response rate of less than 15%, this result represents a considerable breakthrough. At the same time, in terms of safety, QLC1101 demonstrated a tolerable safety profile, making it a treatment modality worthy of further promotion and laying an important foundation for subsequent research. Future development will focus on two directions: first, further exploring effective and safe doses, including selecting appropriate doses through different dosing schedules, conducting backfilling or expansion, and entering a phase II research model; second, actively exploring combination dosing strategies, hoping to bring greater breakthroughs for these patients through synergistic effects where 1+1>2. I believe these two directions can be pursued simultaneously.
Expert Profile
Dr. Anwen Xiong
Shanghai East Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University
Research direction: Focused on lung cancer immunotherapy, with core exploration of the primary resistance mechanisms of novel immunotherapeutic agents such as PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibodies (e.g., regulation of the PPIA-CD147 axis) and reversal strategies, while simultaneously conducting clinical research on novel immunotherapeutic agents.