Lung Cancer Weekly News

AI model predicts future lung cancer risk from a single low-dose chest CT scan
“A deep learning model was able to predict future lung cancer risk from a single low-dose chest CT scan, according to new research published at the ATS 2025 International Conference. The model, called Sybil, which was originally developed using National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) data by investigators from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard Medical School, could be used to guide more personalized lung cancer screening strategies.”

Younger Patients With Lung Cancer Often Have Targetable Biomarkers
“Key Takeaways: Younger lung cancer patients frequently have targetable biomarkers, allowing for personalized therapies that can improve survival rates. Targeted therapies differ from traditional treatments, focusing on specific genetic changes, but may lead to resistance and require ongoing testing.”

More women under 65 are being diagnosed with lung cancer, Maryland doctor says
“A recent American Cancer Society study found that lung cancer incidence is now higher in women than in men under age 65. Women who have never smoked are more than twice as likely as men who have never smoked to develop the disease.”

Mutation profiles and clinicopathological correlations in lung squamous cell carcinoma
“Our study identified novel mutations and their relationships, such as NF1, PTEN, and PIK3CA, which have not been previously reported in LSCC and may have significant therapeutic and prognostic implications. Given the molecular heterogeneity observed in LSCC, it is imperative to ascertain the mutational profile in all LSCC patients to identify driver mutations that are amenable to targeted therapy. Our data suggest that certain histopathological features may be associated with mutations, providing reliable information to enhance treatment and follow-up decisions.”

Camrelizumab/Apatinib Plus Chemotherapy May Show Promise in ES-SCLC
“Combining camrelizumab and apatinib with chemotherapy as frontline treatment demonstrated promising activity in a small cohort of patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC), according to findings from a phase 1 study (NCT05001412) published in Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy.”

More evidence links physical activity with improved cancer survival
“A new large analysis led by American Cancer Society (ACS) researchers shows engaging in leisure-time moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) after a cancer diagnosis improves survival for people with several cancer types, including bladder, breast, colon, endometrial, kidney, lung, oral, prostate, rectal, and respiratory cancer.”

I Have Stage IV Lung Cancer and Still Consider Myself the Luckiest Man in the World
“My goal is to live long enough to benefit from the next treatment breakthrough—and the next.”

Congress Votes to Allow Polluters to Increase Cancer-Causing Pollution
“Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a Congressional Review Act Resolution of Disapproval (CRA) to repeal an important air pollution rule. The resolution was already passed by the Senate and, if it is signed into law, it will be the first drastic weakening of the Clean Air Act. The CRA would repeal a rule that helped ensure polluting facilities monitored and controlled their emissions and will likely lead to those facilities increasing the levels of toxic air pollution they emit.”

Novel Partnership Aims to Advance ctDNA Testing in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
“Cleveland Clinic, the University of Minnesota and University of Cambridge receive $1M grant to develop point-of-care biosensor for early detection and treatment personalization.”

FDA Grants Fast Track Designation to ZL-1310 in Small Cell Lung Cancer
“Key Takeaways: ZL-1310, targeting DLL3, shows early antitumor activity in extensive-stage SCLC, with 74% of patients experiencing tumor shrinkage or disappearance. The FDA’s fast track designation for ZL-1310 underscores the urgent need for new SCLC treatments and supports accelerated development.”

Brain structural alterations and cognitive dysfunction in lung cancer patients without brain metastasis
“This study explored the relationship between cognitive function and brain structure in lung cancer (LCs) patients without brain metastases and healthy controls (HCs). A cohort of 75 chemotherapy-naive LCs without brain metastases and 29 age-, sex-, and education-matched HCs underwent cognitive assessments and structural MRI. The MRI focused on cortical thickness, surface area, and volume of subcortical structures.”

Basal-shift transformation leads to EGFR therapy-resistance in human lung adenocarcinoma
“Although EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) are effective for EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), resistance inevitably develops through diverse mechanisms, including secondary genetic mutations, amplifications and as-yet undefined processes.”

Final Overall Survival Data: Amivantamab-vmjw Plus Lazertinib vs Osimertinib in EGFR-Mutated Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
““The survival curve tells a clear story. Amivantamab plus lazertinib helps patients live longer, and the benefit keeps growing over time,” said trial investigator Nicolas Girard, MD, PhD, Head of Medical Oncology, Institut Curie, and Professor of Thoracic Oncology and Respiratory Medicine, Paris-Saclay University, France. “We see the gap between the survival curves continue to widen, which is exactly what we want to see in lung cancer treatment to improve outcomes for patients. These results reinforce that we are entering a new era for EGFR-mutated non–small cell lung cancer.””

On the move: giant trucks to deliver lung cancer screening to remote communities
“A cardiologist’s vision to bring diagnostic cardiac services to the Queensland bush led to the creation of ‘Heart of Australia’ – a fleet of purpose-built clinics on wheels that will now be boosted to take the National Lung Cancer Screening Program to Australians living in rural, remote and First Nations communities.”

Biomarker Testing Remains Crucial for Young Patients With Lung Cancer
“Key Takeaways: Young lung cancer patients have a higher incidence of targetable biomarkers, necessitating comprehensive testing for ALK fusions and EGFR mutations. Repeat biomarker testing is essential when resistance to targeted therapies occurs, revealing new mutations and guiding treatment adjustments.”

A phenome-wide Mendelian randomization analysis reveals the genetical associations of myocardial infarction, angina pectoris and Alzheimer’s disease with lung cancer
“Lung cancer is a complex disease with varying subtypes. The genetic architectures and risk factors that are similar or distinct among these subtypes remain unclear. In this work, Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) conducted by the International Lung Cancer Consortium and transdisciplinary Research in Cancer of the Lung were utilized to illustrate the genetic landscapes of different subtypes of lung cancer.”

Fred Hutch study finds genetic driver of drug resistance in small cell lung cancer
“Researchers use CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool on tumor cells grown in mice to better model how tumors that initially respond to chemotherapy become resistant.”

Pregnancy-specific glycoproteins linked to poor outcomes for women with lung cancer
“Key takeaways: Female patients whose lung cancer had pregnancy-specific glycoprotein expression had worse survival outcomes. A treatment strategy that targets these proteins could improve outcomes.”

Immunotherapy in lung cancer brain metastases
“Brain metastases (BM) occur frequently in lung cancer, particularly in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients and remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Standard therapies have limited efficacy due to poor crossing of the blood-brain barrier and the distinct features between BM and the primary tumor. This review explores the immune landscape of brain metastatic disease, emerging immunotherapeutic strategies, and promising biomarkers in NSCLC patients.”

Study introduces heart-sparing technique in lung cancer radiotherapy
“A new study presented at ESTRO 2025 introduces the RAPID-RT study, which uses an innovative rapid-learning approach to evaluate the impact of treatment modifications in radiotherapy.”

Suppressing key enzymes could improve lung cancer treatment outcomes
“Blocking proteins that cause cancer cells to mutate and resist treatment could significantly improve outcomes for some patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the most common type of lung cancer, according to a new Yale study.”

Cigna denies life-saving operation to man battling stage 4 cancer
“A man fighting for his life as he battles stage 4 cancer is asking for donations after his health insurance denied him a life-saving lung transplant. Deron Wells, 59, is battling advanced lung cancer and his doctors have approved him for a double transplant, a procedure that his loved ones have described as his “only path to survival.” However, Cigna Healthcare, his health insurer, has refused to authorize the transplant and the emergency medical transport needed to get him to the hospital for the operation.”

BioMark Diagnostics Announces Landmark Publication Validating High Specificity and Accuracy of Its Early-Stage Lung Cancer Test
“Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – May 12, 2025) – BioMark Diagnostics Inc. (CSE: BUX) (FSE: 20B) (OTCQB: BMKDF) (“BioMark”), a leading developer of liquid biopsy tests for early cancer detection, today announced the publication of a pivotal study as part of the special issue Molecular Pathogenesis and Diagnostics of Lung Diseases of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences. The research, titled “Clinical Validation of Plasma Metabolite Markers for Early Lung Cancer Detection”, provides significant external validation for BioMark’s metabolomics and machine learning powered technology, particularly highlighting its high specificity and accuracy in detecting early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and differentiating it from other non-cancerous lung conditions.”

‘Screening Saves’ initiative launched to combat rising lung cancer rates

Less Is More With Advanced Surgical Approaches in Early-Stage NSCLC
“Historically, lobectomies were the standard surgical technique for patients with early-stage non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, more recently the NSCLC treatment paradigm shifted, as doing less surgery has demonstrated comparable outcomes, according to Alexis Chidi, MD, PhD, MSPH.”

BiTE Therapy Drug Tarlatamab Provides Improved Outcomes for Previously Treated Small Cell Lung Cancer
“The incidence of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) has significantly dropped in recent decades with the decline in cigarette smoking. Still, the aggressive nature and widespread metastases that characterize this disease continue to limit treatment success for those plagued by their diagnosis.”

Pennsylvania to Turn Turquoise for Lung Cancer Awareness During Turquoise Takeover
“The American Lung Association in Pennsylvania is turning the Commonwealth turquoise May 5-11, 2025, to raise awareness about lung cancer, honor those impacted and encourage residents to take action to help end the disease. The annual Lung Cancer Action Week and Turquoise Takeover celebration unites America to stand together to end lung cancer. Each year, the American Lung Association turns the nation turquoise—the signature color of LUNG FORCE—by illuminating buildings and landmarks across the U.S., encouraging the public to wear turquoise and share their support on social media and highlighting the stories of those impacted by lung cancer to inspire hope and save lives.”

The origin of a common form of lung cancer that affects above all the smokers are discovered
“Identify the cells which, if damaged by smoking, start carcinoma lesions with squamous cell lungs. The challenge of early diagnosis. The discovery of the cellular origin of one of the most common forms of lung cancer will help to refine early diagnosis and prevention of this disease, strongly associated with cigarette smoke.”

Immunotherapy: Balancing Cancer Treatment Benefits and Risks
“As with most cancer therapies in their early years, immunotherapy is celebrated for its many positive outcomes and also evaluated for its side effects, some of them difficult to manage. As immunotherapy has emerged as the fourth pillar of cancer treatment—alongside surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy—researchers at Yale Cancer Center are scrutinizing its toxicities and investigating ways to minimize risks and amplify benefits.”

First-Line Adagrasib Shows Activity in STK11-Mutant KRAS G12C NSCLC
“In this phase 2 cohort of the KRYSTAL-1 trial (NCT03785249), first-line adagrasib (Krazati) demonstrated a clinically meaningful objective response rate (ORR) of 30.3% (95% CI, 15.6%-48.7%) and a disease control rate of 66.7% in patients with advanced KRAS G12C-mutated non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring concurrent STK11 mutations, according to findings presented at the 2025 AACR Annual Meeting .”

FDA-designated orphan drug could increase radiation efficacy in lung cancer
“DALLAS – April 30, 2025 – An FDA-designated orphan drug that can target a key vulnerability in lung cancer shows promise in improving the efficacy of radiation treatments in preclinical models, according to a study by UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers. The findings, published in Science Advances, suggest a new way to enhance the response to radiotherapy by inhibiting DNA repair in lung cancer cells.”

Anlotinib Combo Improves PFS/OS in Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer
“Combining anlotinib and benmelstobart with chemotherapy significantly prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) among patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) across randomized clinical trials, according to findings from a network meta-analysis published in Translational Lung Cancer Research.”

Substantial Drop in Lung Cancer Deaths, Incidence, a Highlight of New Report on Cancer Statistics
“Erin Schenk, MD, PhD, says the National Cancer Institute’s 2025 Annual Report to the Nation captures advances in the detection and treatment of lung cancer.”

Adela Presents Data Demonstrating Ability of Tissue-Free MRD Test to Predict Recurrence in Lung Cancer at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2025
“FOSTER CITY, Calif., April 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Adela, Inc., an innovator in blood testing for molecular residual disease (MRD) monitoring and early cancer detection through a proprietary genome-wide methylome enrichment technology, presented initial results demonstrating the ability of its MRD test to predict recurrence in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer, at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting from April 25-30, 2025.”

AACR: HER2 targeted therapy shows promise in previously treated lung cancers
“Key Takeaways: Zongertinib, a HER2-targeted therapy made by Boehringer Ingelheim, demonstrated promising results in HER2-mutant lung cancer. These cancers are associated with resistance to standard therapies and a very poor prognosis. As an oral pill, zongertinib would be a more convenient option for patients. Trial data prompted a priority review by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) earlier this year and sparked a Phase II trial comparing it to the current standard of care. Additional cancer types are under investigation.”

Potential New Treatment for KRAS-GI2D Lung Cancer Reported in First-of-Its-Kind Clinical Trial
“Now, for the first time, a drug taking aim at the mutation subtype called KRAS-G12D is showing promise in a phase 1 trial for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) . The drug is an experimental targeted therapy called zoldonrasib (RMC-9805). The KRAS-G12D mutation is rare (appearing in about 4% of all NSCLCs) but can be found in a wide range of patients, including in younger patients who have never smoked.”

Pregnancy-Related Proteins in Tumors Linked to Worse Survival in Female Lung Cancer Patients
“Lung cancer can co-opt genes that normally help a fetus develop and evade the mother’s immune system. And while these pregnancy-specific glycoproteins (PSGs) can get activated in the cancers of both men and women, female patients had poorer outcomes, a Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) research team has found.”

Researchers develop urine test for early detection of lung cancer
“A groundbreaking new urine test could soon help spot the early warning signs of lung cancer long before symptoms appear. Scientists at the University of Cambridge, led by Professor Ljiljana Fruk and Dr. Daniel Muñoz-Espín, have developed the first test of its kind.”

Onc.AI’s model improves lung cancer survival predictions in GSK-run study
“Onc.AI announced on Friday findings from a research collaboration with GSK that showed its AI-powered Serial CT Response Score (CTRS) improved overall survival (OS) predictions compared to traditional surrogates in patients with non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) taking GSK’s anti–PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor Jemperli (dostarlimab) in the GARNET Phase I trial. Results from the study will be presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) meeting on Sunday.”

Roswell Park Expert to Share Promising Results on New Immunotherapy Approach in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
“Newswise — BUFFALO, N.Y. and CHICAGO — Patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are often treated with immunotherapy drugs known as checkpoint inhibitors, which are designed to strengthen the immune system’s ability to kill cancer cells — but these drugs do not produce a lasting response in most patients with this cancer type. Initial results of a phase 1 clinical trial of the investigational drug JNJ-86974680 reveal that it has the potential to overcome that limitation.”

Participation in Lung Health Cohort Research Study Leads to Early Cancer Diagnosis
“Cindy was a healthy, 35-year-old woman with no symptoms of cancer when she joined the American Lung Association’s Lung Health Cohort Study, a research study with the goal of following 4,000 young, healthy adults for approximately five years, to start identifying risk factors for lung diseases.”

Protein Implicated as Driver of Lung Cancer
“Northwestern Medicine scientists have uncovered how a testis-specific protein contributes to tumor growth and progression in lung cancer, according to a study published in Science Advances.”

‘Considerable’ rates of lung cancer found among individuals with no known risk factors
“A new study published in JAMA reveals “considerable” rates of lung cancer among individuals with no known risk factors. Low dose computed tomography (LDCT) has been proven as an effective screening tool for lung cancer based on randomized clinical trials among seniors and current and former smokers. However, previous studies have shown rising rates of the disease for younger individuals and nonsmokers, especially in Asia, experts noted.”

American College of Radiology announces significant expansion of Lung Cancer Screening Registry
“The American College of Radiology (ACR) has announced significant changes to its Lung Cancer Screening Registry. In fact, the registry is getting a whole new name—and will be known as the Early Lung Cancer Detection Registry by the end of 2025.”

University of California Lung Cancer Consortium and AstraZeneca Expand Healthy Lungs California Initiative to Improve Early Lung Cancer Detection and Screening Statewide
“This five-year partnership brings together researchers from across five University of California campuses—UC Davis, UC Irvine, UCLA, UC San Diego and UCSF—coordinated through the UC Lung Cancer Consortium and led by Amy L. Cummings, M.D., Ph.D., a thoracic oncologist and research scientist at the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. The collaboration will address current barriers to early lung cancer detection and screening.”

Breast cancer drug Supinoxin shows potential for small-cell lung cancer in new tests
“Tran and co-principal investigator Bennett Elzey, research associate professor of comparative pathobiology in the College of Veterinary Medicine, have published their results in the journal iScience. The team suggests that Supinoxin will more effectively treat tumors when combined with another therapeutic. The latest experiments probed the effects of Supinoxin on DDX5 protein activity in cancerous human cell lines and in an animal model.”

Ivonescimab in Combination with Chemotherapy Demonstrates Statistically Significant and Strongly Positive Results in First-Line Treatment of Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (sq-NSCLC) vs. Tislelizumab in Combination with Chemotherapy
“HONG KONG, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Akeso, Inc. (9926.HK) (“Akeso” or the “Company”) is both pleased and honored to announce that its global first-in-class PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody, ivonescimab, in combination with chemotherapy, has demonstrated strongly positive results in the Phase III clinical trial (AK112-306/HARMONi-6) for first-line treatment of advanced squamous non-small cell lung cancer (sq-NSCLC). The Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC) declared that the study had met its primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS) at the first pre-specified interim analysis. The results of HARMONi-6 study are both statistically significant and clinically meaningful.”

Nicotine promotes the progression and metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer by modulating the OTUB1-c-Myc-EZH2 axis
“Smoking has been identified as a major risk factor for the development and progression of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). As a key component of tobacco smoke, nicotine is believed to play a significant role in promoting NSCLC growth and progression. EZH2 is an epigenetic regulator highly expressed in the tumor tissues of smokers. However, whether and how nicotine regulates the expression of EZH2 and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.”

Lung Cancer Screening Rates Increased After 2021 Update to USPSTF Guidelines
“Increased lung cancer screening uptake was seen after the 2021 update to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) guidelines, which expanded eligibility criteria to include adults aged 50 to 80 years with a smoking history of 20 or more pack-years, according to a research letter published online March 20 in JAMA Oncology.”

Early Lung Cancer Identification
“NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center (UH) has announced a groundbreaking collaboration with global healthcare Artificial Intelligence (AI) innovator Qure.ai to deploy chest X-ray AI, supporting earlier identification of lung cancers. The FDA cleared chest X-ray AI solution qXR-LN will act as a second read, to be compared to the radiologists’ read of patient chest X-rays for any suspicious lung nodules. This will also provide evidence for future AI research.”

Addressing low lung cancer screening rates through awareness and access
“Lung cancer screening has the potential to catch lung cancer early and save lives-but only if people get screened. Although lung cancer screening is recommended in the U.S. for certain individuals with a history of smoking, only 18% of eligible individuals in the U.S. get screened. One suggested explanation has been that those eligible are resistant to receiving preventive healthcare, but a new study published in JAMA and led by researchers at Mass General Brigham indicates otherwise.”

Particulate matter air pollution as a cause of lung cancer: epidemiological and experimental evidence
“Air pollution has a significant global impact on human health. Epidemiological evidence strongly suggests that airborne particulate matter (PM), the dust components of polluted air, is associated with increased incidence and mortality of lung cancer. PM2.5 (PM less than 2.5 µm) from various sources carries different toxic substances, such as sulfates, organic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and heavy metals, which are considered major carcinogens that increase lung cancer risk.”

‘Grandma, were you afraid to die?’ Reader has one big reason to beat lung cancer
“Happy birthday Sloane! Eight years old, tomorrow. Sorry about being early, but my column doesn’t run on Tuesdays, and in my profession — newspapering, ask your grandmother about it — a day early is far better than a day late.”

Imdelltra May Improve Survival in Small Cell Lung Cancer
“Imdelltra (tarlatamab-dlle) has shown statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in overall survival compared to local standard-of-care chemotherapy among patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) whose disease has progressed on or after a single line of platinum-based chemotherapy, it has been announced.”

Lung Cancer: Mortality Trends in Veterans and New Treatments
“The annual incidence rate of lung cancer among veterans is substantial and increasing, tripling from 2000 to 2017; historically, it was largely due to higher rates of smoking. In recent years, the VHA has aimed to improve survival rates of patients with lung cancer across all disease stages and racial/ethnic groups.² These efforts include providing increased screening, molecular testing, and access to targeted therapies; adopting advanced surgical and biopsy techniques; and implementing nurse navigators to guide care.”

Some lung cancer patients maintain long-term control after stopping immunotherapy
“Bottom line: A subset of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who discontinued immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy due to immune-related adverse events (irAEs) continued to experience long-term disease control.”

First Patient Dosed in a Phase 1/2 Trial for Small Cell Lung Cancer
“Key Takeaways: Iadademstat, a selective LSD1 inhibitor, is being tested with immune checkpoint inhibitors for extensive-stage SCLC in a phase 1/2 trial. The trial, led by the National Cancer Institute, evaluates safety, tolerability, and efficacy in patients post-chemoimmunotherapy.”

The dual role of microRNAs in lung cancer progression and suppression
“Lung cancer (LC) is a major global health issue, with high mortality rates and limited therapeutic options. It is primarily categorized into non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Despite significant advancements in diagnostic techniques, LC remains highly lethal, largely due to late-stage diagnosis and aggressive metastasis. Recent research has emphasized the pivotal role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the pathogenesis of LC.”

High-Dose Radiotherapy Boosts Survival Without Toxicity Increase in LS-SCLC
“Hyper-fractionated twice-daily radiotherapy conferred an overall survival (OS) improvement vs standard-dose radiation without increasing toxicity among patients with limited-stage small cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC), according to findings from a phase 3 study (NCT03214003) published in Lancet Respiratory Medicine.”

The interactions among factors associated with the risk of lung cancer among diabetes patients: a survival tree analysis
“Past epidemiological studies demonstrated mixed findings on the association between diabetes and lung cancer. Given the possible links between diabetes, smoking, and respiratory diseases, this study aims to examine the interaction patterns among factors associated with the risk of lung cancer among diabetes patients.”

Osimertinib Shows Sustained Survival Benefit in EGFR-Mutant NSCLC
“Osimertinib (Tagrisso) demonstrated a sustained overall survival (OS) benefit, both as a monotherapy treatment and as a backbone for combinations with savolitinib (Orpathys) or datopotamab deruxtecan-dlnk (Datroway), in patients with EGFR-mutated non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), according to press release from the drug’s developer, AstraZeneca.”

Lexington woman shares lung cancer journey to encourage early screenings
“LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — It came out of nowhere for Elizabeth Williams. Life-changing news started with what seemed like a simple cough. “I had a cough in 2019. It just wouldn’t go away. Finally ended up getting a chest x-ray and then a CT scan and a diagnosis in August 2020,” Williams said.”

Candel Therapeutics reports breakthrough data for late-stage lung cancer – ICYMI
“Candel Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:CADL) earlier this week shared updated clinical data from a Phase 2a study evaluating its immunotherapy candidate CAN-2409 in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.”

NCCN 2025: Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Expand Treatment Options for Early-Stage NSCLC
“Key Takeaways: Neoadjuvant ICIs improve event-free survival and pathological response in NSCLC, with CheckMate816 showing significant benefits in resectable cases. Adjuvant ICI therapy, as seen in IMpower010 and KEYNOTE-091, enhances disease-free survival, particularly in patients with high PD-L1 expression.”

Tobacco Control Helps Avert Millions of Lung Cancer Deaths
“Reductions in smoking prevalence may have helped in averting nearly 4 million deaths related to lung cancer and saved approximately 76 million person-years of life (PYL), according to findings from a study published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.”

First-line combination should be ‘new standard’ in advanced lung cancer
“Key takeaways: Amivantamab-vmjw plus lazertinib significantly improved OS for certain patients with advanced NSCLC compared with osimertinib. The combination also reduced risk for intracranial progression and delayed time to symptomatic progression.”

Increased use of chest X-rays linked to earlier lung cancer diagnosis and improved survival
“A groundbreaking study has revealed a significant link between the frequency of chest X-ray referrals from GPs and earlier diagnosis and improved survival rates for lung cancer patients.”

Intensive Program Helps People Being Screened for Lung Cancer Quit Smoking
“When people who smoke are screened for lung cancer, studies have suggested that the screening visit can be an opportune time for health care providers to offer them ways to stop smoking. Results from a large clinical trial now show that a comprehensive program that integrates intensive counseling and cessation medications may be a particularly effective way of accomplishing that goal.”

Study reveals gaps in lung cancer screening despite updated guidelines
“Since 2021, when lung cancer screening guidelines began to include younger people and those with a lower smoking history, the number of screenings climbed, but significant gaps remain, especially among people with limited access to healthcare, according to a new study led by researchers at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.”

Novel selective strategies targeting the BCL-2 family to enhance clinical efficacy in ALK-rearranged non-small cell lung cancer
“ALK (anaplastic lymphoma kinase) rearrangements represent the third most predominant driver oncogene in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Although ALK inhibitors are the tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) with the longest survival rates in lung cancer, the complex systemic clinical evaluation and the apoptotic cell death evasion of drug-tolerant persister (DTP) cancer cells may limit their therapeutic response.”

RYBREVANT® (amivantamab-vmjw) plus LAZCLUZE™ (lazertinib) significantly outperforms standard of care in first-line EGFR-mutated lung cancer with compelling new data at ELCC 2025
“Median overall survival improvement projected to exceed one year with much-anticipated overall survival analysis showing statistically superior result versus Osimertinib. Preventative dermatologic regimen meets primary endpoint and enhances patient experience.”

When Lobectomy Is Out: Selecting Treatment for Stage 1 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in High-Risk Patients
“The American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) published a consensus statement defining and outlining proper assessment of these high-risk patients in 2021. In late 2024, AATS published a follow-up document: consensus on how to choose more appropriate treatment for high-risk patients. Alternatives to lobectomy include sublobar resection, stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) and image-guided thermal ablation (IGTA).”

Wildfire Exposure Confers Longer Length of Stay Following NSCLC Surgery
“Patients who received curative-intent surgery for non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) at facilities impacted by a wildfire disaster experienced longer length of stay (LOS) vs similar patients who underwent treatment at times when no disasters occurred, according to findings published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.”

Video:

Latest Advances in Management of Advanced NSCLC with ALK or ROS1 Mutations

A Post-Treatment Blood Test Could Inform Future Cancer Therapy Decisions
“In the continuing evolution of personalized medicine, a new Yale study has found evidence to support the value of a tool that measures the presence of cancer-derived molecules in the blood of patients with lung cancer years after their treatment. This tool is a type of molecular residual disease (MRD) detector, which is used after patients have completed their primary treatment in order to monitor their cancer status. Researchers say it could inform clinical intervention, including whether to restart or intensify treatment.”

Family Caregiver Support Program Well-Received Despite Modest Effects
“A perioperative support program for family caregivers of patients undergoing surgery for early-stage lung cancer appeared feasible and acceptable, yet its impact on psychological distress and other caregiving-related outcomes remained inconclusive, according to results from a study published in BMC Nursing.”

‘The missing piece of my life’: DNA testing unites woman with family after decades-long search
“KEY TAKEAWAYS: Kerri Robbins, 65, found her biological father’s family through DNA testing. She connected with relatives, gaining support amid her Stage 4 lung cancer battle. Robbins advocates for radon awareness in Utah, linking her cancer to radon exposure.”

Western Diets Linked With Lung Cancer Risk
“For cancers of organs like the liver, the long-term impact of our diet has been well studied — so much so that we have guidance about red meat, wine and other delicacies. A new study from researchers at University of Florida Health looks at another kind of organ whose cancer risk may be affected by poor diet: the lungs. The study was funded by several National Institutes of Health grants and a collaboration between the University of Kentucky’s Markey Cancer Center and the UF Health Cancer Center.”

Patient-Reported Outcomes Reinforce Clinical Benefits of Tarlatamab in Small Cell Lung Cancer
“Tarlatamab (Imdelltra; Amgen) demonstrated moderate and long-lasting tolerability with a strong benefit-risk profile in previously treated small cell lung cancer (SCLC), with favorable patient-reported outcomes (PROs) across a spectrum of functional outcomes and symptoms.”

Disentangling the effects of various risk factors and trends in lung cancer mortality
“Lung cancer is a leading cause of mortality in oncological classifications, yet the impact of various risk factors on lung cancer mortality (LCM) in non-smokers remains unclear. This study aims to weigh out the diverse impact of multiple risk factors on LCM rates and identify trends in LCM rates worldwide.”

ACR to release early lung cancer detection registry
“The American College of Radiology (ACR) is expanding its Lung Cancer Screening Registry, which will evolve into the Early Lung Cancer Detection Registry in late 2025. The expansion will support diagnostic performance feedback on management of actionable incidental pulmonary nodules using current ACR Learning Network Recommendations Follow-Up Collaborative measures, the ACR said. These measures focus on the quality of radiology report recommendations and timely follow-up completion rates.”

IU Health, Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center launch mobile lung cancer screening
“INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana University Health and the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center are rolling out a new tool to help detect lung cancer. A 40-foot truck with CT scanner on board launched last week, marking what the health system says is the first mobile lung screening program in the state.”

Amid funding concerns, promising lung cancer vaccines could be available in next few years
“Ongoing clinical trials to develop a lung cancer vaccine to treat or prevent the most deadly form of cancer in the U.S. could be available to patients in “the next few years,” Dr. Stephen Liu, who works at Georgetown University’s cancer center. “I’m optimistic that in the next few years, we’ll see one that’s ready for patients,” Liu told WTOP, amid ongoing concerns about funding cuts and research priorities of the new Trump administration.”

Big Tobacco: Still Selling Women a Pack of Lies
“Research has found that women’s smoking rates have not declined as quickly as men, and each year more than 200,000 women will die of tobacco related disease in the U.S., and an estimated 1.5 million worldwide. Currently, more than 10% of women report smoking cigarettes regularly, meaning either every day or most days. This is particularly worrying because women face unique health risks from tobacco use. During Women’s History Month we are looking at how Big Tobacco has targeted women, and the impact tobacco has on women’s health.”

Video:

Stanford professor with terminal cancer uses his experience to teach special course

Continued Atezolizumab Shows Durable Benefit in Pretreated ES-SCLC
“Continuation therapy with atezolizumab (Tecentriq) following progression on first-line chemo-immunotherapy produced promising efficacy and manageable safety in a small cohort of patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC), according to findings from a pooled analysis study published in Clinical and Experimental Medicine.”

Unraveling the genetic differences between LUAD and LUSC in lung cancer
“Lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality, with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) representing the most prevalent subtypes of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Despite their classification under the same umbrella, these two forms of lung cancer exhibit distinct genetic landscapes, therapeutic targets, and treatment responses.”

FDA Grants Rhenium Obisbemeda Orphan Drug Status for LM in Lung Cancer
“The FDA has granted orphan drug designation (ODD) to rhenium (186Re) obisbemeda for the potential treatment of patients with leptomeningeal metastases (LM) in patients with lung cancer. Rhenium obisbemeda is a novel, injectable radiotherapy. The agent was just evaluated in the phase 1/2a ReSPECT-LM trial (NCT05034497) for patients with LM, as well as in the in the phase 1/2 ReSPECT-GBM trial (NCT01906385) for patients with recurrent glioblastoma.”

A New PD-L1 Nanobody Enhances Cell Death in Lung Cancer In Vitro and In Vivo
“Conclusion: The new PD-L1 nanobody substantially improved upon the FDA-approved PD-L1 monoclonal antibody by surpassing the disadvantage of having large molecular weight (MW) and low tissue penetration. The cytotoxicity and antitumor ability of PD-L1 nanobody, in vitro and in vivo, also support its potential as a therapeutic agent for lung cancer immunotherapy.”

Lung cancer disparities in rural, persistent poverty counties: a secondary data analysis
“Conclusions: Smoking, lung cancer incidence, and lung cancer mortality are highest in counties that are both rural and persistent poverty, suggesting an urgent need to develop targeted lung cancer interventions in these communities.”

When ‘Acceptable’ is Unacceptable: A Call for Objectivity in Cancer Trial Results
““Tolerable.” “Manageable.” “Acceptable.” Those are terms that crop up often when researchers report on early-phase clinical trials of new treatments for lung cancer at medical conferences. But do terms like these accurately describe the side effects caused by experimental treatments?”

Can Systematic Immune Inflammation Predict Survival in Patients Receiving Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors for NSCLC?
“A high pretreatment systemic immune-inflammation index level is associated with worse survival outcomes in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who receive immune checkpoint inhibitors, according to a recent study.”

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FDA Approval of Ensacove Adds to the Toolkit for ALK-Positive NSCLC
“Ensacove (ensartinib) has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for adults with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have not previously received an ALK-inhibitor.”

Lung Cancer Cases Rising In Non-Smoking Women: Risk Factors & Causes
“According to the World Health Organisation’s cancer sector, the number of lung cancer diagnoses among nonsmokers is rising, particularly among women. As per the research published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, lung adenocarcinoma, the most prevalent form of lung cancer in nonsmokers, causes about 60% of lung cancer cases in women and 45% in men. Globally, there were about 2.5 million new instances of lung cancer detected in 2022, up 300,000 from 2020.”

For cancer patients, oncologists often have the final word
“For terminally ill cancer patients, the final days of life are immensely personal, having the choice to continue cancer treatments, or to stop treatments and prioritize a more comfortable passing. What a patient wants, however, isn’t always what they receive, according to a Rutgers Health study published in the journal Cancer.”

Trastuzumab Rezetecan Is Safe, Efficacious for Patients With HER2-Mutated Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
“Key Takeaways: Trastuzumab rezetecan achieved a 73% objective response rate in HER2-mutated NSCLC patients, surpassing trastuzumab deruxtecan in efficacy. The HORIZON-Lung trial involved 94 patients, assessing safety, tolerability, and efficacy of trastuzumab rezetecan in advanced NSCLC.”

OCFA firefighters among hundreds helping research health effects of Eaton and Palisades fires
“CYPRESS, Calif. (KABC) — A fire captain with the Orange County Fire Authority who survived cancer has teamed up with the University of Arizona and other partners to research the effects of exposure to carcinogens and other toxins to firefighters during the Eaton and Palisades fires.”

First Patient With Small Cell Lung Cancer Dosed With Peluntamig
“The multi-center, first-in-human, open-label, phase 2/3 SKYBRIDGE study is investigating the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and initial efficacy of peluntamig in patients with advanced or refractory cancers expressing DLL3. Additionally, a phase 1 trial of peluntamig is being conducted in China. The study plans to enroll and estimated 203 patients as submitted in 2024.”

AI successfully reduces workload in lung cancer screening
“A study by researchers from the University of Liverpool and the Research Institute for Diagnostic Accuracy, Netherlands, has demonstrated that artificial intelligence (AI) can significantly improve the efficiency of lung cancer screening.”

Sweet potato extracts slow breast and lung cancer growth, study finds
“A study led by researchers from Tennessee State University, USA, has found that methanolic extracts of sweet potato leaves and stems can inhibit the growth of breast and lung cancer cells. The findings are published in the journal BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies.”

Vaccines: the next frontier of lung cancer treatment and prevention
“Dr Keith Knutson, a Mayo Clinic Immunologist and Cancer Vaccine Researcher, talks to ITIJ about the potential for vaccines to help treat and prevent types of cancer”

Biond Biologics to Regain Full Rights to BND-22, a Novel Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Targeting the ILT2 Receptor
“Following positive results from the Phase 1 dose escalation study, BND-22 (SAR444881) is now being tested in Phase 2 trials as monotherapy for patients with cholangiocarcinoma and in combination with cetuximab in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and colorectal cancer (CRC).”

NP leader scores $750,000 grant with hopes of boosting lung cancer screening uptake by the thousands
“A noted nurse practitioner and researcher has scored a $750,000 grant, which will help her team to potentially boost lung cancer screening uptake by the thousands. Lisa Carter-Bawa, PhD, MPH, is a behavioral scientist with nearly 20 years of clinical experience as an NP. She’s part of a group of experts at Hackensack Meridian Health in New Jersey, which has a plan to partner with community groups to improve awareness around low-dose CT.”

Lung Cancer Biomarker Testing & Screening Lag Behind
“While biomarker testing can help determine the choice of treatment, the report shows that insurance coverage for biomarker testing is only required in some states. Only 15 states require insurance coverage of comprehensive biomarker testing, five states require some plans to cover testing, and 30 states and Washington, DC, do not require any coverage of biomarker testing.”

LUPER Study Evaluates Lurbinectedin Plus Pembrolizumab in Relapsed SCLC
“Lurbinectedin plus pembrolizumab demonstrated “promising efficacy” in patients with relapsed small cell lung cancer (SCLC), according to results from the phase 1/2 LUPER study.”

Utahns face elevated risk of radon, non-smoking lung cancer. Here’s where that risk is higher.
“Kerri Robbins loves her home, so it was terrible to find out it made her sick. Robbins is one of thousands of Utahns who have developed lung cancer after radon exposure. Utah has the lowest rate of smoking in the nation, but lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the state, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.”