Lung Cancer Weekly News

Time-of-day immunochemotherapy in nonsmall cell lung cancer: a randomized phase 3 trial
“In summary, our study indicates that early ToD immunochemotherapy substantially improves PFS and OS and is associated with enhanced antitumor CD8+ T cell characteristics compared with late ToD treatment.”

Lightweight Neural Networks Improve Lung Cancer Diagnosis
“The findings highlight the potential of custom lightweight CNN architectures as efficient tools for histopathological image analysis. By offering a reproducible evaluation framework, this approach may be extended to larger datasets or adapted for future clinical diagnostic applications, supporting the integration of artificial intelligence into routine healthcare practice.”

Deep-Learning CT Biomarker Predicts Survival Better Than Traditional Measures in Immunotherapy-Treated Advanced NSCLC
“The investigators concluded, “Serial CTRS is an externally validated, fully automated, deep-learning, serial imaging–based biomarker that leverages routine CT scans from baseline and early-response follow-up to predict overall survival more effectively than RECIST and tumor volume change in immune checkpoint inhibitor–treated patients with advanced NSCLC. The automated design of Serial CTRS facilitates future integration into clinical practice and clinical trial workflows. With further validation across therapeutic modalities, Serial CTRS has the potential to enable more accurate, early treatment readouts in both clinical practice and clinical trial settings.””

POM121 O-GlcNAcylation facilitates bone metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer through enhanced c-MYC nuclear import and ECM reprogramming
“These findings establish the OGT-POM121-c-MYC-ECM axis as a potential diagnostic biomarker and a promising therapeutic target for NSCLC bone metastasis.”

NCCN NSCLC Guidelines Update Staging, Emphasize Molecular Testing
“The National Comprehensive Cancer Network’s (NCCN) newly updated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) guidelines add sevabertinib as a treatment option for some patients with advanced disease, make datopotamab deruxtecan-dlink a preferred option for some patients in second line, and update staging guidelines to follow the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 9th edition.”

Additional lymph node evaluation needed during surgery to accurately identify lung cancer spread
“Breakthrough research presented at the 2026 Society of Thoracic Surgeons Annual Meeting shows that additional lymph node evaluation is needed during surgery for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to accurately identify cancer spread.”

Pirfenidone Associated With Over 70% Lower Lung Cancer Risk in IPF
“Pirfenidone may reduce lung cancer risk in IPF by up to 76% in sensitivity analyses, though evidence is limited to observational East Asian studies.”

‘Staggering’: More than 60% of patients with lung cancer do not meet screening criteria
“Key takeaways: Lung cancer screening guidelines may exclude more than 60% of patients who develop the disease. Age-based screening could save more than 25,000 additional lives per year.”

Monoclonal Antibody May Transform Care for Certain NSCLC, Phase 3 Data Suggest
“Gotistobart reduced risk for death by nearly half compared with docetaxel in patients with metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who had progressed on PD-(L)1 inhibitors. These results are based on findings from stage 1 of the ongoing, multicenter, international, randomized controlled phase 3 PRESERVE-003 trial and were presented at the North America Conference on Lung Cancer (NACLC). Stage 1 is the dose-confirming part of the trial, and stage 2 is actively enrolling patients.”

NHS launches a single end-to-end lung cancer diagnostic pathway initiative with Optellum
“This is the first NHS programme to combine VNC’s AI-based lung nodule risk stratification with robotic-assisted bronchoscopy, streamlining the pathway from CT imaging to biopsy for patients with suspected lung cancer. With VNC’s AI, high-risk lung nodules on imaging are rapidly identified, and if tissue sampling is required, robotic-assisted bronchoscopy is then used to navigate to and biopsy hard-to-reach nodules as small as 6 mm. For many patients, this can potentially reduce months of uncertainty with a single targeted procedure.”

Foot on the gas: How RIT1 and YAP accelerate lung adenocarcinoma
“Mutations in the RIT1 gene have emerged as rare, yet recurrent drivers in several human cancers, including lung adenocarcinoma. RIT1 (Ras-like in all tissues) encodes a protein that helps cells respond to growth signals from their environment. It works a bit like a rechargeable battery: when it’s loaded with energy, it sends messages that tell a cell to grow or adapt, and once that energy is spent, the signal shuts off.”

Leptomeningeal Metastasis (LM) Clinical Trial Offers Treatment for Stage 4 Lung Cancer Patient
“Carlos Veras had been given months to live, when his stage 4 lung cancer spread to the fluid around his brain and spine. He’s alive two years later, thanks to a collaboration between neuro-oncologist Dr. Adrienne Boire, left, and computational biologist Dr. Dana Pe’er. After a decade of research, the scientists found a way to stop the cancer cells from surviving in the cerebrospinal fluid.”

Lung cancer survivors at risk for non-lung secondary cancer years after definitive therapy
“Key takeaways: Non-lung secondary cancers can develop in survivors of lung cancer years after completion of definitive therapy. Hereditary cancer syndrome and/or pathogenic germline variants were strongly associated with increased risk.”

Treatment adherence and clinical outcomes of osimertinib in minority patients with advanced EGFR mutated NSCLC
“In multivariable analyses, NHB patients experienced significantly worse overall survival compared with NHW patients, both in the overall cohort (Hazard ratio (HR) 1.83, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02–3.27) and in first-line osimertinib users (HR 3.42, 95% CI 1.48–7.88), despite similar adherence rates. Hispanic and Asian patients also showed trends toward inferior outcomes. These findings highlight survival disparities and underscore the need for inclusive trials and targeted strategies.”

Phytochemical Triad in Lung Cancer: Synergistic Mechanisms and Clinical Translation of Genistein, Piperine, and Resveratrol
“This review critically explores their synergistic effects while highlighting the challenges in translating these findings into clinical applications for lung cancer. By elucidating the underlying molecular mechanisms and therapeutic synergy, these natural compounds emerge as promising adjuncts for lung cancer therapy, warranting further mechanistic and clinical investigation.”

Osimertinib Dose Reduction Does Not Compromise OS in EGFR-Mutated Metastatic NSCLC
“Reducing osimertinib dose in the first-line treatment of EGFR-mutated metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC) patients due to the occurrence of adverse events has no impact on overall survival (OS), according to research published in Lung Cancer.”

Lung Cancer in the Incarcerated Population: A Narrative Review
“While the literature is limited, existing studies indicate that lung cancer has a higher prevalence, is diagnosed at more advanced stages, and carries a higher mortality among incarcerated individuals compared to non-incarcerated individuals. Although lung cancer screening is recommended based on eligibility criteria for the general population, there is a paucity of data on how screening is implemented in carceral settings, and the existing studies suggest that even eligible individuals with significant smoking history often do not undergo lung cancer screening. Furthermore, the literature provides minimal insight into lung cancer treatment for incarcerated patients.”

Experts Call for Expanded Lung Cancer Screening Eligibility Criteria
“Key Takeaways: Technological advances and multidisciplinary collaboration are essential for improving lung cancer screening and treatment strategies. Screening guidelines vary, with some models considering factors beyond smoking history, such as family history and personal cancer history.”

Radiologists, rad oncologists and thoracic surgeons rail against lung cancer screening misinformation
“Radiologists, radiation oncologists and thoracic surgeons are speaking out against lung cancer screening misinformation, spread through recently published scientific papers. Medical societies representing all three specialties issued a joint statement on Tuesday, criticizing studies claiming such scans pose potential risk of downstream complications, false positives, and dangerous radiation harm. They contend that many of these investigations are based on “substantial methodological flaws that contribute to the propagation of misinformation.””

Pain Intensity Drives Catastrophizing in Early-Stage Lung Cancer Recovery After Surgery
“For patients recovering from lung cancer surgery, pain is more than a symptom to be measured and managed because thoughts, emotions, and support systems can strongly influence how pain is perceived. New research highlights the prevalence of pain catastrophizing during the postoperative recovery period, underscoring the psychologic and social factors that shape the pain experiences of patients after surgery.”

Drug-Induced Pneumonitis: The Risk Behind New Cancer Therapies
“Advances in lung cancer treatment have changed survival in ways that were unimaginable even a decade ago. Targeted drugs, immunotherapies, and emerging antibody—drug conjugates are helping many patients live longer—and live well. But these gains may come with risks, including one called drug-induced pneumonitis, an inflammatory reaction in the lungs that ranges from mild to life-threatening.”

For lung cancer patients, smoking history may help pinpoint best treatment
“Detailed information about the current and former smoking habits of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can shed light on the best way to treat them—whether with a combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy, or with immunotherapy alone, according to new research from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.”

A study analyses which lung cancer subtypes are associated with different air pollutants
“A study led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), a centre supported by “la Caixa” Foundation, in collaboration with the American Cancer Society (ACS), analysed the relationship between different air pollutants and the main subtypes of lung cancer. The results were published in Environmental Pollution.”

Newly discovered survival pathway explains stubborn EGFR-driven lung cancers
“Scientists from A*STAR Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (A*STAR IMCB) have identified why certain lung cancer cells become highly resistant to treatment after developing mutations in a key gene called EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor). In a study published in Science Advances, the researchers revealed a previously unknown survival mechanism and demonstrated that disrupting it can shrink tumors in laboratory models.”

Firmonertinib Demonstrates Promise in EGFR+ Advanced/Metastatic NSCLC
“Double-dose firmonertinib yielded promising efficacy and a manageable safety profile in a small cohort of patients with locally advanced or metastatic non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring EGFR L858R mutations, according to data from the phase 2 FIRM study (ChiCTR2200060897) published in Nature Communications.”

Lung cancer deaths leveling off for EU women, except in Spain
“Now, in a new study published in the leading cancer journal Annals of Oncology today (Monday), researchers led by Carlo La Vecchia (MD), Professor of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology at the University of Milan (Italy), predict that age standardized death rates (ASR) from lung cancer among EU women will stabilize at around 12.5 deaths per 100,000 women in 2026. This represents a fall of just over 5% since 2020-2022. The only exception is Spain, where female lung cancer death rates will continue to rise by 2.4% in 2026, with around 10 deaths per 100,000 women.”

Epigenetic Drug Switches Off Tumor-Driving Genes in Lung Cancer
“A research team led by Professor Xiang David Li from the Department of Chemistry at The University of Hong Kong (HKU), in collaboration with researchers from the Shenzhen Bay Laboratory and Tsinghua University, has made a breakthrough in epigenetic drug discovery. The team has successfully developed a first-in-class chemical inhibitor that precisely and selectively targets the ATAC complex, a critical cellular “switch operator” that activates tumour-promoting genes, opening a novel therapeutic avenue for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).”

Rates of lung cancer decrease with screenings
“MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- The Texas Medical Association reported fewer cases of lung cancer across Texas in 2025. “What we’ve seen is that we’ve been able to capture in our high-risk patients lung cancers at an earlier stage, that’s more treatable rather than at a later stage, so an early stage if we’re able to catch it then the survival rate can be anywhere from 75 to 90%, even over 90% of the patients can survive,” pulmonologist Dr. Neel Bhan said.”

Dana-Farber Study Finds Dual Immunotherapy May Help Certain Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Live Longer
“Summary: A global analysis led by Dana-Farber researchers combined detailed patient data from six major clinical trials to compare two types of immunotherapies for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): dual immunotherapy (a combination of CTLA-4 and PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors) and single immunotherapy (PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors alone).”

Bristol Myers Squibb taps Microsoft’s AI detection network for speedy lung cancer diagnosis
“The U.S. tech giant will provide its suite of artificial-intelligence-powered radiology tools to BMS to help detect non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) more quickly across U.S. hospitals using Microsoft’s Precision Imaging Network. More than 80% of hospitals in the U.S. use Microsoft’s network, which is designed to share medical imaging and access third-party imaging AI, the tech company said in a Jan. 20 release.”

Researchers announce notable breakthrough in cancer outcomes
“ATLANTA, Georgia — The American Cancer Society marked a historic moment Tuesday, reporting that the five-year survival rate for all cancers combined has reached 70% for the first time, a milestone driven largely by major gains in treating some of the deadliest forms of the disease.”

Penpulimab Regimens Show Promise in Resectable NSCLC Trial
“Perioperative penpulimab-kcqx plus anlotinib with or without neoadjuvant chemotherapy demonstrated promising efficacy and a manageable safety profile among patients with resectable non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), according to data from the phase 2 ALTER-L043 trial (NCT04846634) published in Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy.”

FDA Clears LEADOPTIK’s LIA System for Higher-Accuracy Lung Biopsy
“Key Takeaways: LEADOPTIK’s LIA system integrates high-resolution depth imaging into biopsy tools, improving lung biopsy accuracy and addressing current workflow limitations. The LIA system offers 50x better imaging resolution than existing technologies, enhancing confidence in biopsy procedures.”

LUNGevity and Rising Tide Foundation Issue RFA Tackling Lung Cancer’s Toughest Challenges: Drug Resistance and Cancer Recurrence
“WASHINGTON, Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LUNGevity Foundation, the nation’s leading lung cancer-focused nonprofit organization, and Rising Tide Foundation for Clinical Cancer Research (RTFCCR) announced a joint call for research proposals aimed at tackling two of the most urgent challenges in lung cancer care: early detection of disease recurrence and overcoming treatment resistance.”

Americans Know Little about the Leading Cause of Cancer Death
“WASHINGTON, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Lung cancer kills more Americans each year than any other cancer — yet most Americans are uninformed about this disease. A new national survey commissioned by the Lung Cancer Action Network (LungCAN) shows that after seven years of expanded screening guidelines and major scientific advances, public understanding of lung cancer has not meaningfully improved.”

Lung Cancer Research Foundation and Oncology Advocates United for Climate and Health – International Announce Request for Proposals Now Open for Submission
“NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF) and Oncology Advocates United for Climate and Health – International (OUCH-I) announce today that their collaborative research program, titled OUCH-International and LCRF Research Grant Program on the Effects of Air Pollution and Climate Change on Carcinogenesis and Lung Cancer Prevalence, is now accepting proposals. The two organizations are partnering to fund projects that examine the impact of environmental pollution and climate change on lung cancer risk, diagnosis, treatment and outcomes; along with innovative strategies to mitigate these effects. With support from AstraZeneca, the selected project will receive a $200,000 award over a two-year period.”

Lung Cancer Research Foundation Announces 2026 Requests for Proposals
“NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF) announced today that its 2026 funding opportunities are officially open for applications.”

FDA Receives BLA for Ivonescimab Plus Chemo in Second-Line or Later EGFR-Mutant NSCLC
“Key Takeaways: Ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy showed improved progression-free survival in EGFR-mutated NSCLC patients post-EGFR TKI treatment, meeting the primary endpoint in the HARMONi trial. The HARMONi trial’s secondary endpoints included overall response rate, duration of response, and safety, with ivonescimab showing favorable outcomes.”

KRAS mutated lung adenocarcinoma responds to pan-ERBB and Aurora kinase inhibitors
“Given the limited survival benefit associated with KRAS-targeted therapies and rapid emergence of resistance in clinical settings, our findings establish ERBB/AURK co-inhibition as a promising therapeutic strategy to improve durability of response and combat acquired resistance in KRAS driven LUAD.”

Predictors and latent class associations with lung cancer screening intentions
“Conclusions: Factors associated with LCS intentions highlight opportunities to expand screening. Attending to content for Hispanic adults, increasing discussions of LCS by health care providers, and tailoring communications to incorporate cancer worry could increase use of this life-saving intervention.”

Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware each have improving lung cancer survival rates, new report says
“Significant progress is being made in the fight against lung cancer, according to a new study from the American Lung Association. But more work needs to be done. A state-by-state analysis says Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware are at or above the national average for survival, detection and treatment.”

FDA approves crucial new indication for Imfinzi
“The US Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved immuno-oncology drug Imfinzi (durvalumab) for the treatment of patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors are not able to be surgically removed (unresectable) and whose cancer has not progressed after treatment with chemotherapy and radiation (chemoradiation).”

Study: ADRIATIC clinical trial results suggest durvalumab may offer a new path in small cell lung cancer care
“MIAMI, FLORIDA (Jan. 9, 2026) – A new study suggests that the immune checkpoint inhibitor, durvalumab, may offer new treatment options for patients living with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). However, its cost raises questions about sustainability, prevention and access.”

Lung cancer risk rises with this common “eco‑friendly” heating method, scientists warn
“Roughly seven million French households rely on wood for heating, long seen as a green and affordable option. But a major study has revealed a hidden danger: women exposed to wood smoke have a 43% higher chance of developing lung cancer. This silent threat may be lingering in our living rooms.”

Veteran San Francisco firefighter denied cancer treatment by insurance
“A retired San Francisco firefighter and his family are pleading with San Francisco officials to intervene in what they describe as a matter of life and death. Ken Jones, who spent 17 years as a firefighter in the city, suffers from an advanced stage of lung cancer, known as adenocarcinoma.  Jones’s oncologists at UCSF say he needs a specific course of treatment involving chemo and immunotherapies, but his city employee insurance plan, run by Blue Shield of California, denied the coverage last month and the subsequent appeal filed by Jones’s physicians.  The family tells NBC Bay Area despite the urging from Jones’s doctors, the insurance company denied the claim and described the proposed treatment as being outside the standard course of care.”

Immunotherapy before and after surgery improved outcomes in lung cancer patients with lymph node metastases
“Perioperative nivolumab plus neoadjuvant chemotherapy improved outcomes for patients regardless of whether their cancer had spread to their lymph nodes. These findings suggest that N2 status may not be as limiting for treatment as previously thought and support a paradigm shift toward combined chemotherapy plus immunotherapy.”

Revolution Medicines Announces FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for Zoldonrasib
“REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Jan. 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Revolution Medicines, Inc. (Nasdaq: RVMD), a late-stage clinical oncology company developing targeted therapies for patients with RAS-addicted cancers, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation to zoldonrasib, a RAS(ON) G12D-selective inhibitor, for the treatment of adult patients with KRAS G12D-mutated locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC who have been previously treated with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy and platinum-based chemotherapy.”

New Research May Reveal Why Lung Cancer and COPD Overlap
“After years of working with patients living with lung disease as a pulmonologist, Catherine Rufatto Sears, MD, of Indiana University understands the devastating impact of lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). As a physician scientist, she focuses her research on uncovering new clues about how these diseases interact, why they often occur together and how we may one day prevent them.”

Global study explores lung cancer risk among never-smokers
“While avoiding cigarettes and tobacco can help prevent lung cancer, rising rates of diagnosis among those who’ve never smoked are raising questions about other risk factors for the disease. Professor Emeritus of Epidemiology Martin Tammemägi is closely monitoring the global trend as co-leader of the FALCONS study, an international network of researchers investigating lung cancer risk factors among never-smoking individuals. The disease is currently the fifth-highest cause of cancer deaths worldwide.”

Financial Factors Affect Cancer Patients’ Enrollment in Clinical Trials
“Having an annual income greater than $68,000 was associated with approximately 67% greater odds of trial enrollment.”

Lung Cancer Research Foundation Announces Additional 2025 Scientific Research Grant Awards
“NEW YORK, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Lung Cancer Research Foundation® (LCRF) recently awarded five new research grants in the following areas: three LCRF Leading-Edge Research Awards, one LCRF Research Grant on Overcoming Resistance in Lung Cancer Award, and one LCRF Minority Career Development Award (CDA) for Lung Cancer. These awards are in addition to the fourteen research awards announced in early December 2025. Foundation funds five new research projects, bringing 2025 total to $5.2 million”

Broadening Frontline Options in EGFR Exon 20 Insertion Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: New Evidence From PAPILLON
“GFR exon 20 insertion (Ex20ins) mutations define a distinct molecular subset of non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with historically limited responsiveness to conventional EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). While platinum-based chemotherapy has typically been the standard first-line (1L) option for these patients, evolving targeted strategies are reshaping expectations for efficacy and durability. The Phase III PAPILLON trial investigated the combination of an EGFR-MET bispecific antibody, amivantamab, with standard carboplatin–pemetrexed chemotherapy, probing progression-free survival (PFS) and meaningful end points like time to treatment discontinuation (TTD), time to subsequent therapy (TTST), and crossover-adjusted overall survival (OS) in the context of per-protocol crossover.”

Bayer’s Sevabertinib Lung-Cancer Drug Receives Therapy Designations in U.S., China
“Bayer received significant designations in the U.S. and China for its sevabertinib lung-cancer treatment. The German pharmaceutical and biotechnology company said Tuesday that the Food and Drug Administration and China’s Center for Drug Evaluation gave the drug the designations that would speed up the development of sevabertinib for first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic lung cancer.”

Intravenous Olvi-Vec Yields Responses in NSCLC and SCLC Following Progression
“Systemic intravenous administration of olvimulogene nanivacirepvec (Olvi-Vec) yielded positive preliminary results for patients with progressive non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and progressive small cell lung cancer (SCLC) following progression on prior platinum-based regimens in 2 separate ongoing trials, according to a press release from the developer, Genelux Corporation.”

Guideline-Concordant Care Rate Roughly 60% After Positive Lung Cancer Screen in Older Adults
“HealthDay News — Among persons with a first positive lung cancer screening result at age 65 years or older, the rate of guideline-concordant care is 59.7 percent overall, according to a study published online Dec. 16 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.”

UK first in nation to treat small cell lung cancer patient with new immunotherapy
“In what could be a “game changer” someday for Kentuckians with small cell lung cancer, the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center has treated the first patient in the country with a novel drug currently in the early stages of human trials. Markey is the first site to open a U.S. trial for ZG006 (Alveltamig), which has three “arms” (trispecific) to grab cancer cells and connect them to T cells, a type of white blood cells that are key in fighting pathogens and disease.”

Use of preoperative placement of mini-midline catheters in patients undergoing thoracoscopic lung resection
“Preoperative mini-midline catheter placement streamlines preoperative workflow, reduces catheterization burden and complications, and improves the patient experience. These findings support its integration into standard preoperative care for thoracoscopic lung resection to enhance both clinical efficiency and patient-centered outcomes.”

Trethera Awarded $2.7M NIH Grant to Study Lung Cancer Drug Combination
“Los Angeles-based clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company Trethera Corp. received a $2.7-million Small Business Innovation Research grant from the National Institutes of Health. The grant will support research on combining its lead drug candidate, TRE-515, with KRAS inhibitor therapies to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).”

Biomarkers May Add to Clinical Criteria in Lung Cancer
“Two new lung cancer studies show promising potential biomarkers, one using circulating tumor cell count and the other a calcium ion (Ca2+)-independent cell adhesion molecule, to supplement current clinical criteria in certain lung cancer patients, according to presentations at the American Thoracic Society 2025 International Meeting​.”

Genmab ends lung cancer drug development
“Denmark’s Genmab has decided not to continue the development of a drug for cancer, acasunlimab, which had reached phase 3 testing, after a review of its medicines pipeline.”

Verastem nixes KRAS G12C plans in non-small cell lung cancer
“The emergence of next-generation KRAS G12C inhibitors has led Verastem Oncology to change course. The Boston biotech has decided to discontinue a phase 1/2 trial in advanced KRAS G12C-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) following an interim data analysis.”

American Lung Association urges home testing for radon, second-leading cause of lung cancer
“FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) – January is National Radon Action Month, and the American Lung Association is raising awareness of the potential health risks of radon and the importance of home testing. Exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, and the number one cause of lung cancer in people who have never smoked. Radon is responsible for an estimated 21,000 deaths annually in the U.S.”

2025 FDA Lung Cancer Approvals: Precision Medicine and Immunotherapy Advances
“The year 2025 has been a pivotal period for thoracic oncology, characterized by a series of landmark approvals from the FDA that further segment the treatment landscape of non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). The regulatory decisions this year have largely emphasized the role of precision medicine, with the introduction of novel antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and next-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) targeting specific molecular alterations. Additionally, new strategies in the maintenance setting for SCLC have provided much-needed options for this aggressive disease.”

NCC identifies CREB, a key regulatory factor in lung cancer drug resistance
“The National Cancer Center (NCC) announced Monday that a research team led by Dr. Yoon Kyung-sil from the Cancer Metastasis Research Department has found that the protein CREB plays a key role in lung cancer drug resistance. CREB is a key regulator of resistance to platinum-based anticancer drugs used in chemotherapy for various cancers, including lung cancer, and elucidates their mechanism of action.”

FDA Clears Five-Minute Lung Cancer Shot, Redefining EGFR Treatment
“HORSHAM, PA — Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) has won U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for RYBREVANT FASPRO, the first and only subcutaneous therapy for patients with EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer, marking a significant shift in how a leading lung cancer treatment is delivered. The approval allows RYBREVANT FASPRO to be used across all existing indications for RYBREVANT, replacing intravenous infusions that can take hours with a five-minute injection. The move sharply reduces treatment time and eases pressure on infusion centers while improving the patient experience.”

Advice for Patients Newly Diagnosed With Lung Cancer
“Establishing a support system is crucial for patients who are newly diagnosed with lung cancer, as an expert explained in a recent interview with CURE. CURE spoke with Patricia I. Moreno, who holds a Ph.D. and is a licensed clinical psychologist and lead of evidence-based survivorship and supportive care at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the University of Miami Health System.”

Blood test finds seven times more cancers than standard screenings
“Screening, diagnosing and curing cancer at its earliest, most treatable stages has become a welcome and regular occurrence for radiation oncologist Nima Nabavizadeh, M.D.. This has been made possible by a simple blood test that can not only detect more than 50 types of cancer, but also pinpoint where it’s coming from with striking accuracy.”

Redefining How to Communicate Treatment Options May Facilitate Equitable Clinical Trial Enrollment
“Clinical trials are an integral part of high-quality cancer care, providing patients with access to novel therapies and advancing treatment paradigms. To ensure the generalizability of the results and equitable access to cutting-edge treatments, it is crucial that the enrollment to clinical trials reflects the diversity of the broader patient population. Despite the passing of the National Institutes of Health Revitalization Act of 1993, which mandated the inclusion of women and minorities in federally funded research, trial enrollment among underserved groups remains disproportionately low. With underrepresentation, findings from clinical trials may not be generalizable to all populations, thus limiting our understanding of how different groups may respond to treatments. Moreover, it may further contribute to inequitable care across different populations.”

Inflammation fuels one of the most aggressive forms of lung cancer
“A research team led by Professor Dr. Silvia von Karstedt (Translational Genomics, CECAD Cluster of Excellence on Aging Research, and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne—CMMC) has discovered a novel mechanism used by this type of cancer that helps explain its aggressive nature. The study titled “Lack of Caspase 8 Directs Neuronal Progenitor-like reprogramming and Small Cell Lung Cancer Progression” is published in Nature Communications.”

A retrospective analysis of liver dysfunction and its risk factors in lung cancer patients receiving PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor therapy
“These findings highlight that approximately one-fifth of patients experienced hepatic toxicity during immune checkpoint blockade, with advanced age, alcohol intake, reduced functional status, PD-1 agent use, and multidrug protocols significantly elevating risk. Enhanced vigilance and personalized treatment strategies are essential to minimize toxicity and ensure safer immunotherapy delivery in vulnerable populations.”

Video:

Dr Sands on Challenges in the Diagnosis and Management of LEMS in SCLC

Barry Manilow reveals he has lung cancer and will reschedule shows to undergo surgery
“Barry Manilow announced Monday that he has lung cancer and will reschedule his January shows to undergo surgery. The 82-year-old singer-songwriter revealed the diagnosis in a statement shared via Instagram on Monday. He said that he recently had bronchitis for two periods of multiple weeks, so his doctor ordered an MRI out of precaution.”

Update on LATIFY Phase III trial of ceralasertib plus Imfinzi in previously treated advanced non-small cell lung cancer
“The LATIFY Phase III trial of ceralasertib in combination with Imfinzi (durvalumab) did not meet the primary endpoint of overall survival (OS) versus standard-of-care docetaxel in patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The trial evaluated patients without actionable genomic alterations (AGAs) whose disease progressed on or after prior immunotherapy and platinum-based chemotherapy.”

Brain metastasis from non-small cell lung cancer: crosstalk between cancer cells and tumor microenvironment components
“The majority of patients with lung cancer are diagnosed at an advanced stage, with a substantial proportion exhibiting signs of brain metastases (BMs). BM is associated with debilitating symptoms, including headaches, seizures and neurological or cognitive impairments, which severely impact the quality of life of patients.”

Lung cancer disparities in rural, persistent poverty counties: a secondary data analysis
“In the US, lung cancer burden is greater in counties that are either rural or in persistent poverty. This study examined lung cancer risk (e.g., smoking), incidence, and mortality across four county types defined by cross-classification of rurality and persistent poverty.”

Patient deaths put Merck, Daiichi’s ADC trial on partial hold
“The Food and Drug Administration has put a partial clinical hold on one of Merck & Co. and Daiichi Sankyo’s antibody-drug conjugates following an unexpected number of deaths in a late-stage clinical trial. Daiichi initiated a voluntary pause recruiting and enrolling the trial, called IDeate-Lung02, after “higher than anticipated incidence of grade 5 interstitial lung disease events,” a spokesperson for Merck and Daiichi said in a statement to BioPharma Dive. Following the pause, the FDA verbally placed the trial on a partial clinical hold in October. The spokesperson did not say the number of deaths recorded.”

US FDA grants priority vouchers to Merck’s cholesterol pill, cancer therapy
“Merck’s cancer therapy, sac-TMT, like other antibody-drug conjugates, is designed to deliver an anti-cancer drug more precisely to malignant cells, causing less damage to healthy tissues than chemotherapy.”

New Blood Test Detects Single Lung Cancer Cell
“FT-IR microspectroscopy blood test detected a single circulating tumor cell (CTC) in one patient with lung cancer, cytospun raw blood sample.”

Expanding the immunotherapy universe in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer: from chemoimmunotherapy backbone to next-wave combinations
“This Review provides a comprehensive, evidence-based map of the evolving ES-SCLC immunotherapy combination landscape. We critically dissect competing therapeutic paradigms, juxtapose corroborative and contradictory data, and distill actionable insights for future trial design, biomarker development, and regulatory strategy.”

30-year smoking duration-based criteria could increase lung cancer screening
“Thirty-year smoking duration-based criteria could reduce eligibility gaps for all races relative to whites, while improving six-year lung cancer detection sensitivity, according to a study published online Dec. 16 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.”

Multidisciplinary Screening Program Dramatically Improves Lung Cancer Detection
“Lung cancer screening rates more than doubled to reach 71.6% after the launch of a coordinated lung cancer screening program in the UR Medicine primary care network in Rochester, New York. Researchers reported on the program in NEJM Catalyst. “My hope is that by sharing our success, others will be able to adopt and build upon what we’re doing to screen more patients and save more lives nationwide,” said corresponding author Robert Fortuna, MD, MPH, a professor at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC), Rochester, New York, in a news release.”

Study finds a new protein target against KRAS-driven non-small cell lung cancer
“In a study published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation, University of Michigan researchers found a new protein target and developed a drug to treat non-small cell lung cancers that have KRAS mutations.”

OncoPrism-NSCLC Test Predicts Key Clinical Outcomes in Lung Cancer
“Results from the observational PREDAPT trial (NCT04510129) supported the utility of the OncoPrism-non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) test, a clinical tool to identify which patients with late-stage NSCLC are most likely to benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy, according to a press release from the developer, Cofactor Genomics.”

Enlighten Me: ChristianaCare Gene Editing Institute delivers lung cancer treatment breakthrough
“The breakthrough reverses chemotherapy resistance, and the hope is this research will help develop the same results for other cancers in the future.”

Facing Lung Cancer Together: A Patient and Care Partner Share Their Journey
“Key Takeaways: Early detection and clinical trials are pivotal in managing small cell lung cancer, as highlighted by Wendy’s experience. A robust support system, including family and healthcare professionals, is crucial in navigating the complexities of cancer diagnosis and treatment.”

Lung Cancer Screening Rates Improved With Targeting Mammography Participants
“Researchers found that 1569 (4.9%) of the 32,165 mammography participants reviewed were confirmed eligible for lung cancer screening (LCS) with chart review; 69% of the 1569 had not previously undergone LCS.”

Emory Healthcare launches new Lung Screening and Nodule Program
“Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University is advancing its commitment to reducing lung cancer deaths across Georgia with the launch of the Emory Healthcare Lung Screening and Nodule Program on Dec. 15, 2025. This new program focuses on early detection and treatment of lung cancer through low-dose lung screening CT and AI-assisted recognition of incidentally found pulmonary nodules.”

Positive lung cancer screens frequently receive suboptimal follow-up
“1. In this retrospective cohort study, most patients with a positive lung cancer screening result received guideline-concordant follow-up, though nearly one-third received less-than-recommended care. 2. Invasive procedures were performed in a small proportion of patients who did not ultimately receive a lung cancer diagnosis.”

Experts hail ‘paradigm shift’ in lung cancer treatment
“A groundbreaking robotic-assisted procedure for lung cancer diagnosis has been trialled in the UK, enabling doctors to make microscopic movements within the lungs. This technology is expected to make lung cancer screening more effective by eliminating the need for months-long repeat scans for small nodules, allowing for quicker and more decisive action.”

NIH-led study reveals role of mobile DNA elements in lung cancer progression
“December 10, 2025 – Using lung cancer biospecimens from the Sherlock-Lung study, an international team led by National Institutes of Health (NIH) researchers, identified key factors that drive tumor evolution and influence outcomes. Overall, the findings, published Dec. 10, 2025, in Nature, describe a previously unknown origin of some aggressive lung cancers.”

Governor signs law requiring insurers to cover all lung cancer screening services
“New York state recently finalized legislation requiring health insurers to cover all lung cancer screening services with no patient cost-sharing, drawing praise from radiologists. Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) formally signed S2000A/A1195A into law on Dec. 4, with it set to take effect in 2027. The bill requires payers to provide coverage for any follow-up screening or diagnostic services after an abnormal initial low-dose CT scan, while also prohibiting out-of-pocket charges.”

GSK’227, a B7-H3-targeted antibody-drug conjugate, granted Orphan Drug Designation in small-cell lung cancer by the US FDA
“GSK plc (LSE/NYSE: GSK) today announced that its B7-H3-targeted antibody-drug conjugate GSK’227, now referred to by its International Nonproprietary Name, risvutatug rezetecan, has received Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). The ODD was supported by preliminary clinical data showing durable responses in patients with extensive stage SCLC (ES-SCLC) who were treated with risvutatug rezetecan in the phase I ARTEMIS-001 clinical trial.”

Secondary cancers outside the chest emerge late for many lung cancer survivors, MSKCC study finds
“Key Takeaways: Lung cancer survivors face increased risk of non-lung secondary cancers, necessitating broader follow-up care beyond the lungs. Study found 23.4% of survivors developed new cancers, with 7.9% experiencing secondary cancers outside the chest.”

Timing of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Administration Affects Small Cell Lung Cancer Survival
“HealthDay News — For patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC), administration of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy earlier in the day is associated with improved survival, according to a study published online December 8 in Cancer.”

RYBREVANT® (amivantamab-vmjw) plus LAZCLUZE® (lazertinib) delivers statistically significant and clinic ally meaningful improvement in overall survival benefit for Asian patients withEGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer in the Phase 3 MARIPOSA study
“First and only chemotherapy-free combination in the first-line setting to demonstrate an overall survival benefit versus osimertinib among Asian patients. Median overall survival not yet reached and is projected to exceed four years, which would surpass osimertinib monotherapy by more than one year.”

BioNTech’s CTLA-4 drug improves survival in phase 3 cancer trial but poses tolerability challenge
“A closer look at phase 3 data on BioNTech and OncoC4’s anti-CTLA-4 antibody has shown the efficacy that excited analysts last week is offset by a challenging tolerability profile.”

US approves oral drug for adults with rare type of lung cancer after early clinical trials globally
“The FDA has granted accelerated approval to sevabertinib, an oral drug, for HER2-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after prior treatment. Phase 1/2 trials showed sevabertinib’s efficacy, particularly in previously untreated patients, with manageable safety, offering a new precision treatment option. Further studies are required to confirm the data for full FDA approval, addressing an unmet need for effective therapies for this aggressive form of lung cancer.”

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ATS Breathe Easy – Delving into the Research on Lung Cancer in People Who Have Not Smoked
“Lung cancer is commonly associated with smoking. However, among people diagnosed with lung cancer, the proportion who have never smoked has been increasing, and there are many reasons why a person who has never smoked may develop this disease. Lori Sakoda, PhD, MPH, ATSF, a research scientist and epidemiologist at Kaiser Permanente Northern California, explains what factors may come into play, what the ongoing research shows, and what knowledge gaps exist on this topic. Patti Tripathi hosts.”

Dietary Glycemic Index, Glycemic Load, and Risk of Lung Cancer: A Population-Based Cohort Study
“CONCLUSIONS These findings show that high dietary GI is associated with an increased risk of lung cancer, NSCLC, and SCLC, whereas GL is inversely associated with the risk of lung cancer and NSCLC.”

Missing cancer gene may boost response to immunotherapy
“For some patients with the most common type of lung cancer, known as lung adenocarcinoma, there’s new hope. In a new study published in Cell Reports, Mayo Clinic researchers have found several previously unknown genetic and cellular processes that occur in lung adenocarcinoma tumors that respond well to immunotherapy.”

Understanding Minimally Invasive Lung Cancer Care Advancements
“Dr. Daniel J. Boffa, professor and division chief of Thoracic Surgery at Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut, sat down with CURE to discuss the evolving landscape of lung cancer treatment. In the interview, he highlights major advancements that are transforming patient care, including the role of minimally invasive surgical techniques that preserve lung function and new systemic therapies such as immunotherapy and targeted therapy. These innovations are enabling more precise treatments and personalized approaches to improve outcomes while minimizing side effects for patients with lung cancer.”

FDA grants traditional approval to tarlatamab-dlle for extensive stage small cell lung cancer
“On November 19, 2025, the Food and Drug Administration granted traditional approval to tarlatamab-dlle (Imdelltra, Amgen Inc.) for adults with extensive stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) with disease progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Tarlatamab-dlle received accelerated approval for this indication in 2024.”

FDA grants accelerated approval to sevabertinib for non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer
“On November 19, 2025, the Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval to sevabertinib (Hyrnuo, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.), a kinase inhibitor, for adults with locally advanced or metastatic, non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors have HER2 (ERBB2) tyrosine kinase domain (TKD) activating mutations, as detected by an FDA-approved test, and who have received a prior systemic therapy.

FDA also approved the Oncomine Dx Target Test (Life Technologies Corporation) as a companion diagnostic device to aid in detecting HER2 (ERBB2) TKD activating mutations in patients with non-squamous NSCLC who may be eligible for treatment with sevabertinib.”

Age-Based Screening for Lung Cancer Surveillance in the US
“Meaning  These findings suggest that current screening guidelines miss most patients with lung cancer, and age-based screening could improve detection and cost-effectiveness while reducing disparities.”

Data from Genprex’s Acclaim-1 Phase 1 Gene Therapy Clinical Trial Published in Clinical Lung Cancer
“AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Genprex, Inc. (“Genprex” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: GNPX), a clinical-stage gene therapy company focused on developing life-changing therapies for patients with cancer and diabetes, today announced the publication of data from its Acclaim-1 Phase 1 clinical trial of Reqorsa® Gene Therapy (quaratusugene ozeplasmid) in combination with Tagrisso® (osimertinib) in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the peer-reviewed journal Clinical Lung Cancer.”

Breath-based lung cancer detection using an ML-driven low-cost sensor array
“Our system outperforms existing e-nose detection methods by more than 5% and is capable of classifying in approximately 5 minutes. These findings highlight the potential of this breath analyzer system as a rapid and cost-effective tool for preliminary lung cancer screening.”

The Incidence, Severity and Risk Factors of Renal Injury in Lung Cancer Patients Receiving Osimertinib Therapy: A Real-World Study
“Conclusions: This study demonstrates that renal injury is not rare in lung cancer patients treated with osimertinib, particularly in patients aged ≥ 60 years or with pre-existing renal injury. Although most cases are reversible, regular monitoring of renal function is strongly recommended for these patients.”

Visugromab Plus Nivolumab Shows Durable Response in Refractory Tumors
“Key Takeaways: Visugromab combined with nivolumab showed a median duration of response exceeding two years in refractory NSCLC, UC, and HCC patients. GDF-15 is a therapeutic target and immune escape mechanism, contributing to checkpoint inhibitor resistance and cancer cachexia.”

Blood-Based Screening Test May Increase Preclinical Lung Cancer Detection
“Results from the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST; NCT00047385) revealed that the Mercy Halo blood-based lung screening test displayed a significant improvement in the detection of early-stage preclinical lung cancer, especially among patients at an elevated risk who were not currently engaged in low-dose CT screening programs, according to a news release from the developer, Mercy BioAnalytics.”

Adherence to Posttreatment Surveillance Guidelines in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Retrospective Cohort Study
“Conclusions: In this unique application of a competing risks framework, the rate of guideline-concordant surveillance in this national cohort was lower than that reported in many previous studies. This finding highlights a potentially substantial gap in surveillance among eligible, asymptomatic lung cancer survivors. More strategies are needed to measure the true rate of guideline-concordant surveillance, along with education and advocacy to ensure guideline-concordant care.”

What the Data Show: Lung Cancer Down, Youth Vaping Down, Inequities Up
“While there has been some advancement in tobacco prevention and control efforts, tobacco-related disparities persist. These disparities do not reflect individual choices. They reflect long-standing inequities in access to quality health care, early detection, and treatment. Communities of color, particularly Black residents, have faced decades of underinvestment, limited access to preventive services, higher exposure to predatory tobacco marketing, and environmental stressors that increase their risk of morbidity and mortality. These inequities require a comprehensive approach that includes equitable access to lung cancer screening and treatment, access to evidence-based tobacco cessation resources, and tobacco prevention education for those at higher risk.”

Researchers engineer a novel technique for guiding endoscopes to deep lung tumors
“Researchers at The University of Osaka have engineered a novel technique, Balloon-Assisted Bronchoscope Delivery (BDBD), to guide endoscopes to small, early-stage lung cancers hidden deep within the periphery of the lungs. By using a small balloon to gently widen the airways, this innovative method overcomes the physical limitations of conventional bronchoscopy, promising to revolutionize both the accuracy of early diagnosis and the potential for minimally invasive treatment.”