Lung Cancer in Special Populations
“Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, claiming more lives than other age-related and screen-detectable cancers. Cigarette smoking remains the most important risk factor. However, despite common perceptions, risk is not related solely to cigarette smoking. Several vulnerable and special populations experience a disproportionate burden of lung cancer, often complicated by overlapping medical issues, diagnostic challenges, and treatment limitations. This review highlights four populations (people with HIV, persons who are immunocompromised, lung cancer in nonsmoking women, and individuals with interstitial lung disease [ILD]) who experience unique risks that impact early detection, diagnosis, and management of lung cancer.”
U.S. FDA grants accelerated approval to Boehringer’s HERNEXEOS® as first orally administered targeted therapy for previously treated patients with HER2-mutant advanced NSCLC
“Boehringer Ingelheim’s HERNEXEOS® (zongertinib tablets) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The kinase inhibitor is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors have HER2 (ERBB2) tyrosine kinase domain activating mutations, as detected by an FDA-approved test, and who have received prior systemic therapy.”
Innovative diagnostic approaches for lung cancer: integrating traditional cytology with qPCR for rapid and reliable results
“Our study demonstrated that MCSs-based TSC combined with genetic testing could not only rapidly and reliably diagnose lung cancer, but also effectively detect gene targets, with potential for widespread application.”
New web-based tool helps fight lung cancer mortality and advance treatment
“Experts have created a customizable, web-based tool that provides state and local leaders with tailored resources to reduce lung cancer mortality rates and advance treatment.”
Here Comes the Sun(vozertinib): Changes in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment
“Key Takeaways: NSCLC with EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations is challenging to treat due to its heterogeneity and unique genetic makeup. Sunvozertinib, a kinase inhibitor, received FDA accelerated approval for NSCLC with EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations, showing a 46% overall response rate.”
NCCN Updates Small Cell Lung Cancer Guidelines With New LEMS Recommendations
“Key Takeaways: NCCN guidelines for SCLC now include LEMS updates, focusing on amifampridine use and VGCC antibody testing for diagnosis. LEMS, linked to SCLC, involves muscle weakness from antibodies targeting VGCCs, impairing neurotransmitter release.”
Cancer Vaccines Improve Survival in Advanced Non-Small-Cell-Lung-Cancer After First-Line Therapy
“Advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) continues to pose a significant clinical challenge, particularly after disease progression on first-line treatment. With the emergence of cancer vaccines as a novel immunotherapeutic approach, a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate their efficacy and safety in patients with advanced NSCLC following first-line therapy.”
ILD diagnosis raises risk for lung cancer
“Key takeaways: The risk for lung cancer was heightened among those with vs. without ILD in a model that adjusted for five covariates. This continued in sibling-controlled analyses of patients with ILD and siblings without ILD.”
Survival Gains in NSCLC Therapy Innovations Tied to Rising Financial Toxicity
“Although recent advancements in lung cancer treatments and in cancer therapeutics overall have improved patient survival, the rising cost of treatments has also had a significant impact on patients and their caregivers, contributing to an increase in financial toxicity.”
Scientists issue warning after discovering overlooked factor increasing lung cancer risk: ‘Cause for concern’
“For the first time, researchers have directly linked microplastics to malignant changes in lung cells associated with cancer, according to a media release from the Medical University of Vienna.”
Telomere-Targeting Agent Receives Fast Track Designation for NSCLC
“The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted fast track designation to ateganosine (THIO, 6-thio-dG or 6-thio-2’-deoxyguanosine) for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Ateganosine is a telomere-targeting therapy designed to break down telomere structure and function in cancer cells. By targeting telomeres, it is believed that ateganosine can restore tumor responses to immunotherapy in patients who have developed resistance.”
Lipid droplet protein perilipin 2 linked to poor prognosis in lung cancer
“New research has revealed that perilipin 2 protein modulates aggressive cancer progression in advanced lung adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer, by regulating lipid droplet accumulation, which plays an important role in lipid metabolism by making cancer cells store more fat, acting as a fuel source.”
