Unexpected findings on lung cancer CT scans may point to other non-lung cancers, study finds
“Because CT scans capture areas of the body beyond the lungs, doctors often see abnormalities that might indicate cancer in other parts of the body, including the kidneys, liver and lymph nodes. For the new study, the researchers focused on certain types of these abnormalities and found that people with these findings were more likely to be diagnosed with a cancer outside of the lungs (extrapulmonary) within a year of screening.”
Targeted Therapy Improves Long-Term Outcomes for Patients with Rare Mutations Driving Lung Cancer
“In some non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs), changes to the RET gene (known as RET fusions) can drive tumor growth. In a phase 1/2 clinical study with a 42-month-long follow-up period, researchers from Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute evaluated the long-term efficacy and safety of the FDA-approved drug pralsetinib, which targets RET. Investigators found that treatment led to durable responses with manageable safety profiles in 281 patients with advanced or metastatic RET fusion-positive NSCLCs. Results are published in Journal of Clinical Oncology”
Much Ado About Nothing? Time of Day May Not Matter for Immunotherapy in Lung Cancer
“The time of day when immunotherapy is administered to patients with lung cancer does not appear to affect overall survival, according to investigators from the ETOP-Roche i-TIMES study. The results, presented at the 2026 European Lung Cancer Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark, contradict those from the recently published LungTIME-C01 study. As reported by Oncology News Central, that study indicated that among patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) without known targetable mutations, immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) infusions administered earlier in the day were associated with significantly better survival outcomes compared with infusions delivered in the midafternoon or later.”
Ai Predicts Chemotherapy Response in Lung Cancer Patients
“RT’s Three Key Takeaways: Predictive AI Tool: Researchers developed a tool called PhenopyCell that uses artificial intelligence to predict if patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer will respond to platinum-based chemotherapy before treatment begins. No Additional Biopsies: The system analyzes existing pathology slides from diagnostic biopsies, eliminating the need for further procedures, tissue collection, or added costs for patients. Immune Cell Organization: The tool identifies organized groups of immune cells surrounding tumor clusters as a biological marker for better treatment outcomes, which is not visible through manual analysis.”
Humanetics Corporation Announces Investigator-Initiated Phase 2 Trial in Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and Underlying Interstitial Lung Disease
“MINNEAPOLIS, March 31, 2026–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Humanetics Corporation (Humanetics) announced today the launch of a new investigator-initiated clinical trial (IIT) of BIO 300 Oral Suspension (BIO 300), led by Dr. Narek Shaverdian, Director of Thoracic Radiation Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). This study is designed to evaluate the efficacy of BIO 300 in reducing the toxicity of thoracic radiation therapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and concomitant interstitial lung disease (ILD), compared to historical results. The trial will enroll approximately 24 participants at MSK in New York.”
“Another Negative Study”: Phase 3 Failure for Lung Cancer Combo
“It is a disappointing but all-too-familiar story: A drug combination that showed promise in phase 2 trials failed to meet its primary survival endpoint in a phase 3 study. The combination in question this time is the investigational ATR kinase inhibitor ceralasertib plus durvalumab (Imfinzi) in patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) without targetable genetic mutations who had disease progression on or after an immune checkpoint inhibitor and platinum-based chemotherapy.”
Mount Sinai Study Finds Lung Cancer Surgery Safe for Many Patients Over 80
“New York, NY (April 02, 2026) Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and the Mount Sinai Tisch Cancer Center have found that adults aged 80 and older with early-stage lung cancer can safely undergo surgery and achieve outcomes comparable to younger patients, challenging longstanding assumptions about age and cancer treatment.”
Molecular phenotypes stratify small cell lung cancer for targeted therapy and immunotherapy
“This study identified three distinct SCLC phenotypes with unique therapeutic vulnerabilities. An ANXA1High subset within the immune-rich infiltrated phenotype showed ICI resistance, offering new strategies to enhance ICI efficacy.”
Even after a clear scan, smokers face an elevated lung cancer risk
“Key Takeaways: Long-term incidence after a negative LDCT was nontrivial, with 76 lung cancers detected, reinforcing that baseline negativity is not synonymous with durable low risk. Smoking exposure drove subsequent risk, with ~3-fold higher incidence in ever-smokers and clinically meaningful inflection around ≥20 pack-years.”
Subcutaneous Amivantamab is a ‘Way to Move Forward’ in EGFR+ NSCLC Care
“In a conversation with CancerNetwork®, Nicolas Girard, MD, PhD, detailed the results and clinical implications of the PALOMA-2 trial (NCT05498428), evaluating subcutaneous amivantamab (Rybrevant Faspro) in combination with lazertinib (Lazcluze) for patients with advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring EGFR mutations. According to data that he and colleagues presented in a poster session at the 2026 European Lung Cancer Congress, treatment with subcutaneous amivantamab demonstrated consistent efficacy compared with the agent’s intravenous formulation, while exhibiting the added tolerability and convenience benefits of subcutaneous administration.”
This Little-Known Japanese Fruit Could Help Stop Lung Cancer Before It Starts
“One unexpected candidate is a small fruit known as “Sarunashi” (Actinidia arguta), commonly referred to as the kiwiberry, which is being studied by researchers at Okayama University. In a study published in the journal Genes and Environment, the team found that juice from the fruit reduced lung tumor formation in mice exposed to NNK, a tobacco-related carcinogen. The juice also lowered the number of tumor nodules in the lungs, while one of its best-known compounds, isoquercetin (isoQ), showed protective effects of its own.”
Researchers find way to treat lung cancer and associated muscle wasting at the same time
“The study, published in the Journal of Controlled Release, involves lipid nanoparticles delivering therapeutic genetic material to lung tumors. In a mouse model, scientists led by Oleh Taraula and Yoon Tae Goo of the OSU College of Pharmacy showed that a type of nanocarrier loaded with follistatin messenger RNA is able to accumulate in tumors. Once there, the mRNA triggers cells to produce the follistatin protein, which plays a key role both in inhibiting tumors and promoting muscle tissue growth.”
