Lung Cancer Weekly News

‘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.”

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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.”

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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.”

Mays Cancer Center continues collaboration with American Cancer Society to expand lung cancer screenings
“Mays Cancer Center at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) is proud to announce the American Cancer Society’s continued support for its lung cancer screening program. The gift is a $30,000 contribution to UT Health San Antonio’s Primary Care Center locations to appoint a lung cancer screening navigator and to help raise awareness about the program throughout San Antonio and South Texas. The program was funded by Crucial Catch, a partnership between the National Football League (NFL) and the American Cancer Society, promoting prevention and early detection of cancer.”

Advanced lung cancer inflammation index: a key predictor of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis severity
“The Advanced Lung Cancer Inflammation Index (ALI) reflects levels of systemic inflammation and nutrient metabolism in patients. However, The connection between ALI and hepatic steatosis and fibrosis remains unclear. This study aims to explore the potential association between ALI, the Controlled Attenuation Parameter (CAP), and Liver Stiffness Measurement (LSM), offering new perspectives for the prevention of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis.”

POU2F2⁺ B cells enhance antitumor immunity and predict better survival in non small cell lung cancer
“This study elucidates the significant role of POU2F2⁺ B cells in influencing survival and immune cell infiltration in NSCLC. Our findings highlight POU2F2 as a novel target for NSCLC immunotherapy. Targeting POU2F2 may modulate the tumor immune microenvironment, enhance the infiltration and activity of critical immune cells, and ultimately improve patient survival.”

‘Anyone can get it’: 2 Pittsburghers launch chapter of lung cancer support group
“Jacqueline Nixon of Bridgeville and Joi Kiley of McCandless aim to offer education and an ear.”

Tragedy Inspires Teen to Champion for a Tobacco-Free Future
“Amyrah M. is a Harrisburg, Pennsylvania-area high school student who lost her mother to lung cancer when she was just 14 years old. “My mom would smoke quite often,” said Amyrah, who first learned of the dangers of smoking at school. “I would go home and tell her that smoking is bad for you. She knew it was, but it was hard for her to quit.””

BMS shares overall survival results for Opdivo in phase 3 lung cancer trial
“The final analysis of the trial demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in the key secondary endpoint of OS for Opdivo-treated patients compared to those receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone.”

FDA Grants Priority Review to Zongertinib for Treatment of HER2-Mutated, Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
“Key Takeaways: Zongertinib, a TKI, received FDA priority review for HER2-mutated NSCLC, showing significant treatment potential. Beamion LUNG-1 trial results showed a 71% ORR, 69% PFS, and 73% DoR, with a favorable safety profile.”

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Atlanta barbers fight lung cancer with talk and trims in new campaign

Dr. Nieva Shares Insights From Epidemiology of Young Lung Cancer Trial

2 Immunotherapies Show Comparable Benefits in Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer
“Key Takeaways: PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors combined with chemotherapy significantly improve survival in ES-SCLC compared with chemotherapy alone. No significant difference in overall survival or progression-free survival was found between PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors.”

FDA Grants Fast Track Designation to IBI363 for Squamous NSCLC
“Key Takeaways: IBI363 received FDA fast track designation for squamous NSCLC after prior anti–PD-(L)1 therapy and chemotherapy. Phase 1 trial data showed a 50% ORR and 88.9% DCR at a 3-mg/kg dose, with median PFS not reached.”

‘Off-Grid’ Electrical Activity Drives Tumor Growth in Small Cell Lung Cancer
“Researchers from the Francis Crick Institute in London discovered aggressive lung cancer cells capable of forming their own electrical network, much like the body’s own nervous system. The findings, published in Nature, suggest that this property could make lung cancer cells less dependent on the environment surrounding tumors, allowing them to spread more easily around the body.”

Lung Cancer Is Rising in Non-Smokers, And This Could Be Why
“While the number of smokers in the world as a proportion of the population is dropping, lung cancer continues to cause almost 2 million deaths per year – and new research reports on a concerning rise in cases among people who’ve never lit up a cigarette.”

DNA’s organization influences the risk of smoking-induced lung cancer
“The study from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, led by Prof. Sheera Adar and her graduate student Elisheva Heilbrun-Katz from The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada in the Faculty of Medicine in collaboration with Prof. Raluca Gordan from Duke University and the University of Massachusetts, has uncovered how the structure and chemical modifications of DNA affect the damage caused by cigarette smoke and the body’s ability to repair it. This breakthrough helps explain how smoking leads to lung cancer.”

Lung lesion volume doubling times associated with survival metrics
“The takeaway? Volume doubling time is “widely accepted as a key indicator of the growth rate of lung nodules, reflecting biologic aggressiveness and prognosis for those nodules corresponding with cancer,” the group wrote. “For part-solid lesions, volume doubling time of the solid component may be expected to have greater prognostic utility than volume doubling time of the whole lesion, given the greater association of the solid component than ground-glass component of such lesions with pathologically invasive cancer.””

Genprex Collaborators Find NPRL2 Gene Therapy Using Oncoprex® Delivery System is a Potential Treatment for Anti-PD1 Resistant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
“AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 13, 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 that its research collaborators at a major cancer research center in Houston, Texas have published a new study in eLife titled, “NPRL2 gene therapy induces effective antitumor immunity in KRAS/STK11 mutant anti-PD1 resistant metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in a humanized mouse model.””

New Study May Lead to More Personalizing Lung Cancer Treatments
“Dr. Momcilovic’s goal is to develop better, personalized treatments for lung cancer by understanding each patient’s unique tumor characteristics and finding the right therapy for them. She hopes to figure out why some treatments work for certain patients but not others, identify biomarkers that can predict which treatments will work, and discover new combination therapies that might be more effective than current standard-of-care treatments.”

Cancer’s ripple effect may promote blood clots in lungs
“Blood clots form in response to signals from the lungs of cancer patients – not from other organ sites, as previously thought – according to a preclinical study by Weill Cornell Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and University of California San Diego Health.”