This week, the LCA team attended the 19th Annual World Conference on Lung Cancer (September 23-26, 2018) in Toronto, Canada. Jennifer C. King, PhD, Director of Science and Research, gives us the scoop on some of the research and treatment breakthroughs, and how they impact you!

  • SCREENING REDUCES MORTALITY! Results from the Dutch-Belgium Lung Cancer Screening trial (NELSON) showed that lung cancer screening significantly reduces lung cancer mortality. In this trial, which was more favorable than the National Lung Cancer Screening Trial (NLST), low dose CT screening decreased mortality by 26 percent in asymptomatic men at high risk for lung cancer. In a smaller subset of women, the results showed an even greater benefit to lung cancer screening than in men. Learn more!
  • SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER: It has been over 20 years, but IMpower 133 has now demonstrated clinically meaningful improvement in overall survival over current standard-of-care for patients with small cell lung cancer. In this trial, an immunotherapy drug called Tecentriq (atezolizumab) was added to the standard chemotherapy that patients with small cell lung cancer receive, and the combination resulted in a longer time before the cancer returned and longer survival for patients.
  • LONG-TERM SURVIVORSHIP: With the growing number of lung cancer survivors, Lung Cancer Alliance conducted a survey to see what needs our community is experiencing. The results show that emotional effects, unlike physical impacts, are more problematic for lung cancer survivors after five years. Learn more!
  • LUNG CANCER STIGMA: Lung Cancer Alliance presented results from a survey on stigma surrounding lung cancer. The survey, which was first conducted ten years ago, was replicated to see what a difference 10 years has made. Results showed that public awareness of lung cancer had increased, but so has stigma around the disease. Lisa Carter-Harris, PhD and practicing nurse who was involved with the survey, goes in depth on what this all means for our community.
  • IMMUNOTHERAPY FOR STAGE III NSCLC: Earlier this year, Imfinzi (durvalumab) was the first immunotherapy drug approved by the FDA for stage III non-small cell lung cancer, given after chemotherapy and radiation. New data was presented from the PACFIC trial that showed that this treatment results in significant and meaningful improvement in the patients’ overall survival.
  • TREATMENT DEVELOPMENTS FOR ALK+ PATIENTS: The ALTA-1L trial showed that Alunbrig (brigatinib) was better than Xalkori (crizotinib) as a first treatment in patients with ALK positive lung cancer. This was particularly true when patients had brain metastases.