A new study maps how rare mixed tumors evolve into hybrid cell states and immune-protected neighborhoods, pointing to new ways to detect and treat combined small-cell lung cancer. The findings reveal that these tumors do not arise from two separate cancers but rather from a single ancestral cell that evolves over time.
Researchers at UT MD Anderson have made significant advancements in cancer care, including a blood-based biomarker for cancer risk in people with Lynch Syndrome and a new target to sensitize pancreatic tumors to immunotherapy. The studies also identified a strategy to overcome radiation therapy resistance in lung cancer.
UCLA investigators present new research on targeted drug delivery for colorectal cancer, COVID-19's impact on breast cancer outcomes, and AI in cancer diagnosis. These studies offer insights into overcoming drug resistance, enhancing immune responses, and improving outcomes for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers.
Researchers reveal lactylation as a key player in lung cancer progression and drug resistance, highlighting potential targets for overcoming treatment resistance. The study identifies self-reinforcing loops that sustain acquired resistance to EGFR-TKIs and provides a framework for developing precision therapies.
The COCOON trial found that a structured dermatologic prophylaxis regimen reduced moderate-to-severe dermatologic adverse events by half, with fewer grade ≥3 events and treatment discontinuations. This approach could improve tolerability and maintain dose intensity for EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer patients.
A study published in The Lancet Regional Health – Americas found that carefully selected older adults can safely undergo surgery and achieve outcomes comparable to younger patients. The research challenges longstanding assumptions about age and cancer treatment, suggesting that older adults should not be excluded from potentially curat...
A new study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings found that robotic bronchoscopy has a high sensitivity for malignancy (85%) and accuracy rate (76.9%), with a complication rate of 2.8%. The technology allowed for earlier detection of lung cancer, reducing diagnoses at advanced stages from 54% to 31%, and improved survival rates.
A phase 1/2 clinical study found that pralsetinib improved durable responses with manageable safety profiles in patients with advanced or metastatic RET fusion-positive non-small cell lung cancer. The overall response rate was 78% and median duration of response was longer in patients with the CCDC6-RET fusion gene.
A study led by Brown University researchers analyzed lung screening data to identify abnormalities outside the lungs that warrant follow-up care. Cancer-related findings appeared in about 3% of screening rounds and were linked to a higher risk of extrapulmonary cancers, particularly urinary system cancers.
Researchers found that breast cancer cells trigger the lung's natural repair system, leading to chronic inflammation and promoting tumor growth. A repurposed drug, roflumilast, may slow this process by preventing the lung environment from aiding tumor growth.
A cohort study found that smokers with negative baseline low-dose computed tomography findings had a significantly increased long-term lung cancer risk, becoming apparent only after two years of screening. This suggests supporting extended initial screening intervals and personalized long-term monitoring based on smoking history.
The NRG-LU005 trial found that immunotherapy atezolizumab did not improve survival for patients with limited-stage small cell lung cancer when added to chemoradiation. Twice-daily radiation therapy, however, was associated with improved survival in this population.
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have identified a protein, ATF4, linked to increased metastasis and recurrence in lung cancer. The study reveals that older individuals' tumors are smaller and grow more slowly, yet more likely to have spread when detected.
Severe COVID-19 and influenza infections can prime the lungs for cancer development, according to new research. Vaccination, however, largely prevents these changes, suggesting a reduced risk of lung cancer.
A large Australian study of over 417,000 women found that fertility treatments were not linked to higher overall cancer rates, but some cancers were slightly more common, while others were less common. Women who received fertility treatment were more likely to develop uterine and ovarian cancer, as well as melanoma, but the overall ris...
Researchers identified distinct spatial tumor-immune ecologies that differentiate stable disease from progressive disease in non-small cell lung cancer patients. Tumors that progressed were characterized by immune suppression before treatment began, while stable disease tumors showed stronger colocalization of immune cells. Machine lea...
Researchers developed CAR macrophages that crossed the blood-brain barrier, recognizing and destroying cancer cells and releasing signals to harm nearby tumors. The treatment showed significant reductions in brain tumor progression and increased survival in preclinical models.
Researchers at Ohio University discovered that blocking the growth hormone receptor may help make lung cancer treatments more effective. Patients with low GHR tumors survived significantly longer than those with high GHR tumors, highlighting a potential new target for therapy.
Researchers found that regulatory T cells can be redirected to protect tumors instead of the body. Blocking P2RX7, a molecule released by stressed cells, helps immune cells work more closely with B cells and leads to better outcomes.
This study developed and evaluated an automatic method for lung nodule detection and classification using a CNN-based architecture on the LIDC-IDRI database. The proposed method achieved high sensitivity and accuracy, with competitive performance compared to recent studies.
New research suggests that inhaled microplastics can cause inflammation and damage to the lungs, potentially increasing the risk of respiratory diseases such as asthma and COPD. Microplastics can also trigger inflammatory responses and deliver toxins directly into the lungs, highlighting a growing concern for lung health.
A new Mount Sinai study strengthens landmark evidence supporting lung-sparing surgery for pleural mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer caused by asbestos exposure. The research found zero in-hospital and 30-day mortality rates, and a 90-day mortality rate of 4.2 percent in carefully selected patients.
Lung cancer in never-smokers (LCINS) is a growing global health challenge with distinct biological and clinical characteristics. The authors emphasize the importance of identifying risk factors, developing better screening tests, and discovering more effective treatment approaches for LCINS.
Researchers at City of Hope have made significant breakthroughs in cancer treatment, immune system regulation and early disease detection. A study found that subtle RNA changes can shape cancer behavior, opening new avenues for precision oncology. In contrast, combining immunotherapy with chemoradiation did not improve survival rates f...
A new review highlights the growing burden of lung cancer in never-smokers, emphasizing the need for dedicated research, screening, and clinical trials. The study argues that LCINS has distinct causes and biology requiring a different approach to diagnosis and treatment.
A new analysis found that rural cancer patients treated locally have similar surgical outcomes to those who traveled to urban facilities. The study used Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results data from Medicare-eligible patients with lung or colon cancer, aged 65 or older, residing in rural areas.
A study published in Radiology found that photon-counting CT reduced radiation exposure by 66.34% and improved image quality compared to conventional CT in lung cancer patients. The technology also showed fewer adverse reactions, including contrast-induced acute kidney injury.
Vinay Badhwar, MD, was elected President of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons with a three-part framework emphasizing daily practice excellence, data-driven science, and measurable impact. He aims to advance collaboration across surgical disciplines and integrate the specialty into the broader healthcare ecosystem.
Breakthrough research recommends that more than one N1 node be removed and evaluated during surgery for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The study found that many cancers were identified in N1 nodes adjacent to the bronchi, highlighting the need for expanded lymph node evaluation.
Researchers developed an AI tool called ONCO-ACS to predict the risk of secondary heart attacks in cancer patients after a heart attack. The tool combines cancer-related factors with standard clinical data to provide reliable information for doctors to balance treatment benefits and harms.
The University of Cincinnati Cancer Center is testing approaches to neutralize an enzyme complex that enables cell division in KRAS-mutated lung cancers. The grant aims to identify the best strategy to suppress this enzyme and prevent long-term tumor growth.
A small subset of highly plastic cancer cells drives cancer progression and treatment resistance, study finds. Targeting these cells may make current treatments more effective and prevent aggressive tumors from forming.
A study analyzing air pollutants' impact on lung cancer reveals that fine particulate matter (PM2.5) increases the risk of all subtypes, while NO2, O3, and SO2 are linked to non-small-cell lung cancer. No associations were found between gaseous pollutants and small-cell carcinoma.
A study from Flinders University found that patients with progressive disease, which describes the way cancer grows, have varying survival rates depending on whether their existing tumours re-grow or new ones appear. Understanding this progression can help doctors make better decisions about future treatment strategies.
Predictions for lung cancer death rates among EU and UK women indicate stabilization of mortality rates at 12.5 deaths per 100,000 in 2026. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death for both sexes in the EU, with mortality rates continuing to decline among men.
New studies from Sylvester reveal that 40% of cancers are preventable and that lifestyle interventions can play a crucial role in cancer treatment. Researchers also discovered PFAS on firefighter gear, which may limit exposure to hazardous chemicals linked to cancer.
Researchers at the University of Florida have discovered a small compound produced by gut bacteria that doubles the response to lung cancer immunotherapy treatment in mice. The findings could lead to a new combination therapy that boosts patient responsiveness by 50% without adding invasive treatments.
A new blood test has been developed to predict which patients with lung cancer will benefit from the newly approved immunotherapy drug tarlatamab. The test, based on circulating tumor cells, correctly identified 85% of patients who responded to the drug and 100% of those who did not.
A new approach to treating KRAS-mutated lung adenocarcinomas has been identified, using a combination of ERBB inhibitors and Aurora kinase inhibitors. This therapy shows significant effectiveness against existing treatments, offering hope for patients with limited options.
The American Cancer Society's new 'Cancer Statistics, 2026' report reveals a historic milestone: US cancer survivorship has reached a record 70%, driven by major gains in cancers once considered difficult to treat. However, the report also highlights persistent disparities, concerning increases in cancer among women and younger adults.
Researchers at MD Anderson have made significant advancements in cancer treatment, demonstrating the effectiveness of immunotherapy before and after surgery in improving lung cancer patient outcomes. Additionally, a new study shows promise in using CAR T cell therapy to treat large B-cell lymphoma, reducing relapse rates.
A new study suggests that durvalumab may offer a promising treatment option for limited-stage small cell lung cancer patients, extending overall and progression-free survival. However, the therapy's high cost poses significant challenges to sustainability and access in the real-world setting.
A study published in Molecular Oncology developed a liquid biopsy panel that can detect specific gene mutations in lung cancer patients, offering a potential solution for early detection and guiding patient treatment. The test showed promising results, detecting mutations in 65.6% of samples, including those in frozen samples without s...
A new nanodrug called Nano-273 could offer improved survival for patients with pancreatic and lung cancers by activating the immune system and blocking tumor growth. The drug, developed by University of Houston researcher Wei Gao, has shown promising results in early studies.
A study found that high PD-L1 levels are associated with increased risk of lymph node metastasis and poorer recurrence-free survival rates in patients with pulmonary adenocarcinoma. This suggests that PD-L1 expression may serve as a potential indicator for early postoperative recurrence.
Dr Aldona Mzyk's project uses quantum sensors to track how immune cells interact with tumours, enabling the development of improved patient-tailored cancer therapies and earlier diagnosis tools. The research aims to overcome current cancer immunotherapies' failure in solid tumours by controlling metabolic changes.
Researchers have identified two proteins that allow cancer cells to evade destruction by brain immune cells, known as microglia. By removing these proteins, microglia play a key role in eliminating cancer cells during the early stage of their arrival in the brain.
A NIH-led study identified key factors driving tumor evolution and influence outcomes in lung cancer, revealing a previously unknown origin of aggressive tumors associated with the ID2 mutational signature linked to LINE-1 reactivation. Major driver gene mutations also influenced tumor evolutionary trajectories.
Researchers found that patients who received immunochemotherapy before 3:00 pm experienced significantly longer progression-free survival and overall survival compared to those treated later. Earlier administration of immunotherapy was also associated with lower risks of cancer progression and death.
A special issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology highlights the transformation of lung cancer from a feared and stigmatized disease to one that is increasingly understood as chronic and treatable. Advances in screening, therapeutics, and survivorship have improved outcomes for patients.
SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the American College of Radiology·TypeSystematic review·DateDec 1, 2025
Mayo Clinic researchers have found several previously unknown genetic and cellular processes that occur in lung adenocarcinoma tumors responding well to immunotherapy. The study identified markers that may predict a positive response to immunotherapy, including the presence of senescent tumor cells and loss of the PRKCI gene.
A population-based cohort study found that individuals following high-glycemic index diets had a 13% higher chance of developing lung cancer compared to those on low-GI diets. In contrast, those consuming high-glycemic load diets experienced a 28% lower risk of lung cancer.
A recent study led by Dr. Leah Backhus found that lung cancer patients often receive inadequate posttreatment surveillance, which can lead to a substantial gap in care. The study estimated the true surveillance rates and predictors of guideline-concordant care in patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer.
Current USPSTF guidelines exclude two-thirds of patients from age-based screening, disproportionately affecting women and never-smokers. Age-based screening has been shown to improve detection and demonstrated superior cost-effectiveness compared to existing programs.
Lung cancer screening has the potential to prevent 3 times more deaths and gain 3 times more life-years than current levels. Increasing awareness and accessibility of lung cancer screening could lead to wider adoption.
Researchers at The University of Osaka have developed a novel Balloon-Assisted Bronchoscope Delivery (BDBD) technique, enabling safe access to small, early-stage lung cancers hidden in the peripheral lung fields. This innovation promises to revolutionize both early diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment.
Researchers have shown that disabling the NRF2 gene with CRISPR technology can restore drug sensitivity and slow tumor growth in lung cancer. The approach, which targets a master switch for resistance, has potential across multiple tumor types.
The new clinical cancer research center will support lung and genitourinary cancers, serving as a central hub for seven VA medical centers. The grant aims to improve access to precision oncology trials and patient care for veterans diagnosed at later stages.
Researchers found that Biaxially rotational dynamic radiation therapy (BROAD-RT) significantly reduced radiation doses to lungs, heart, and oesophagus compared to volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). However, it resulted in greater low-dose lung exposure.
This pilot study evaluated the effectiveness of improved laser ablation with saline injection in treating early-stage lung adenocarcinoma. The modified system significantly expanded ablation zones, achieving a 100% complete ablation rate in six patients. The treatment was safe and effective, with no major complications reported.