Early diagnosis and local solutions are critical to combat lung cancer
“Opinion: Despite advances in prevention and treatment, lung cancer remains the world’s deadliest cancer largely because it is often detected too late. Strengthening local diagnostic capacity is one of the most effective ways to reduce the global burden of lung cancer.”
A video summary of the DeLLphi-301 study: tarlatamab as a treatment option for small cell lung cancer
“Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a very fast-growing lung cancer with few treatment options when standard treatments fail. The DeLLphi-301 study tested a medicine called tarlatamab to see if it shrinks SCLC in patients who had received previous treatments for SCLC. Tarlatamab works by directing the immune system’s T cells to link to and attack cancer cells. The DeLLphi-301 study tested whether a 10 or 100 mg dose would shrink SCLC better and have fewer side effects. It also assessed whether a post-treatment monitoring period could be shortened without compromising safety.”
Blocking lipid production in healthy lung cells can reduce lung metastasis
“Leuven, 17 March, 2026 – Scientists from the VIB–KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology, in collaboration with the Francis Crick Institute, have discovered how cancer cells can exploit healthy lung cells to support metastatic tumor growth in the lungs. In two complementary studies published in Nature Cell Biology and Cancer Discovery, they show that tumors use lipids produced by lung cells as signals, and that decreasing the lipid production of lung cells can decrease metastasis. The findings point to new therapeutic strategies that target lung cell lipid production, rather than cancer cells themselves, which may also help refine patient selection for ongoing clinical trials targeting this pathway.”
Surgery in Octogenarians With Early-Stage NSCLC: What This Prospective Study Shows About Safety, Survival, And Quality Of Life
“As populations age and lung cancer screening identifies more small, potentially curable tumors, clinicians are increasingly faced with a difficult question: should adults aged 80 years and older undergo lung cancer surgery when early-stage disease is found? Concerns about frailty, postoperative complications, and long-term recovery often influence treatment decisions, yet prospective evidence in this population has remained limited. A new cohort study now adds important data to this discussion, showing that surgery in octogenarians with early-stage NSCLC can be feasible, with favorable long-term outcomes in carefully selected patients (Gros et al., 2026).”
PM2.5, Population Density Linked to Increased Lung Cancer Mortality in China
“The incidence of lung cancer increased in China from 2010 to 2018, with particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5), average annual temperature, population density, and total grain production significantly associated with mortality, according to study findings published in Respiratory Medicine.”
Freenome Reports Data for Multiomic Blood-Based Screening Test for Lung Cancer
“BRISBANE, Calif., March 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Freenome, an early cancer detection company developing blood-based screening tests, today announced initial development data for its investigational lung cancer screening test. The data demonstrate the potential of a multiomics approach that combines DNA methylation analysis and protein markers to detect lung cancer in high-risk individuals. Freenome investigators will present the data at next month’s AACR Annual Meeting in San Diego.”
VALOR Trial: Comparing SBRT with Surgery in Early Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
“VALOR Trial randomized clinical trial designed to compare lung cancer surgery with stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) in patients with operable early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Because both approaches are potentially curative, ensuring that treatment is delivered exactly according to protocol is essential for patient safety and for the scientific validity of the study. In this report, investigators described the development and early performance of a centralized quality assurance program for the SBRT arm of VALOR, focusing on the first 100 treated participants across the Veterans Health Administration.”
Delaying immunotherapy does not worsen survival in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer
“Key Takeaways: Real-world timing of atezolizumab or durvalumab initiation (cycle 1 vs cycle ≥2) showed comparable median PFS (~5.8 months) and OS (~10 months) in ES-SCLC. Delayed starts were frequently driven by hospitalization, with additional contributors including radiation scheduling, insurance authorization delays, and hepatic dysfunction impacting treatment sequencing.”
ASCO Updates Guidelines for Advanced NSCLC Without Driver Mutations
“Updates to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Living Guidelines for stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) without driver alterations reflect a maturing evidence base rather than sweeping change. As longer-term follow-up from landmark immunotherapy trials accumulates, clinicians are gaining a clearer picture of durability across PD-L1-defined subgroups while still navigating complex, subset-driven decision-making.”
When Small Cell Lung Cancer Hides from Immune Cells, Blood Vessels May Hold the Key
“BOSTON — Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have uncovered why small cell lung cancer (SCLC) can stay largely out of reach of the immune system, even when the cancer cells themselves are vulnerable to immune attack. In the most common form of neuroendocrine SCLC, investigators found that tumor blood vessels can act like a gatekeeper, preventing natural killer (NK) cells from leaving the bloodstream and entering the tumor. When the researchers activated an immune “alarm” pathway called STING in the tumor’s vascular environment, NK cells were able to get into the tumor and kill cancer cells, with an even stronger effect when STING activation was combined with a DLL3-targeted CAR-NK cell therapy in preclinical models.”
How Much Is Enough? Ultra-Low Doses of Immunotherapy to Improve Access and Affordability
“The immunotherapy revolution has led to improved outcomes for patients with common solid tumors in wealthy countries, which, however, has bypassed many patients in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) because of the unaffordable cost of treatments.”
Utility of Tissue-of-Origin Algorithms in Cases Diagnosed as Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma
“Molecular profiling has enabled substantial advancements in diagnostics and clinical care, including increasingly precise tumor classification and targeted therapies. Nevertheless, there are areas of diagnostic ambiguity that remain challenging, even with all currently available approaches.”
SystImmune, Inc. to Present New iza-bren (izalontamab brengitecan) Data in Extensive Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer at ELCC 2026
“”The data being presented at ELCC highlight the continued clinical progress of iza-bren and its potential as a novel treatment approach for patients with difficult-to-treat lung cancers,” said Jonathan Cheng, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of SystImmune. “We are encouraged by the safety and efficacy signals observed with iza-bren in combination with serplulimab in treatment-naïve patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer. These findings support further exploration of iza-bren–based combinations in earlier lines of therapy as we work to expand therapeutic options for patients with aggressive lung malignancies.””
Study shows AI-assisted risk model for lung nodules is cost-effective
“Risk prediction software using artificial intelligence can help determine whether pulmonary nodules detected during lung cancer screening need to be biopsied.”
PFOS, PFHA, Mono-Iso-Nonyl-Phthalate Can Predict Lung Cancer Mortality
“HealthDay News — A model composed of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHA), and the plasticizer mono-iso-nonyl-phthalate can predict lung cancer mortality, according to a study published online March 4 in Clinical Cancer Research.”
Multidisciplinary Decision-Making and CNS-Penetrant Therapies Redefine Brain Metastases Management in Lung Cancer
“The growing availability of central nervous system (CNS)–penetrant targeted therapies is reshaping the management of brain metastases in select patients with lung cancer, challenging the long-standing priority of upfront local therapy, according to Laura Alder, MD.”
Biodesix Announces the Largest Lung Nodule Biomarker Clinical Validation Study Ever Published Supporting Earlier Lung Cancer Diagnosis
“LOUISVILLE, Colo., March 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Biodesix, Inc. (Nasdaq: BDSX), a leading diagnostics solutions company, announced the publication of the largest lung nodule biomarker clinical validation study ever conducted. This milestone strengthens the clinical foundation for Nodify CDT® tests as a critical decision-support tool in the early detection of lung cancer, addressing a significant unmet need in the management of the millions of lung nodules detected annually in the United States.”
Why Lung Cancer is Now “12 Different Diseases”
“Modern medical advancements have radically transformed our understanding of lung cancer. Rather than viewing it as a singular condition, oncology now treats it as a collection of distinct molecular subtypes. This evolution in targeted therapy presents a significant challenge: the sheer volume of complex information required to match specific molecular profiles with the appropriate treatment stages is staggering. Keeping pace with this rapidly shifting landscape demands a new level of expertise to ensure patients receive the most effective care.”
Bill to require radon mitigation looks to decrease lung cancer risks
“400 Iowans die annually from lung cancer caused by radon exposure results.”
