Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide, but treatment has changed dramatically in the past decade. Targeted therapies now exist for many genetic mutations, immunotherapy has extended survival for some people, and screening programs are catching more cases early when surgery can cure.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing drugs that target specific mutations like KRAS G12C and EGFR exon 20, combining immunotherapy drugs in new ways, using antibody-drug conjugates to deliver chemotherapy directly to cancer cells, and exploring early detection through blood tests. Research is also focused on small cell lung cancer, which has seen less progress than non-small cell types.
KRAS G12C inhibitors
Sotorasib and adagrasib target a mutation once considered undruggable, found in about 13% of non-small cell lung cancers. Trials are testing these drugs earlier in treatment and in combination with other therapies.
Antibody-drug conjugates
These drugs attach chemotherapy to antibodies that seek out cancer cells, sparing healthy tissue. Several are in late-stage trials for lung cancer with specific protein markers.
Blood-based early detection
Researchers are developing tests that find cancer DNA in blood before symptoms appear. Studies are checking whether these tests can catch lung cancer early enough to improve outcomes.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on cancer type (small cell or non-small cell), stage, specific genetic mutations, prior treatments, and performance status.
What types of trials are currently open
- Targeted therapy trials — Testing drugs designed for specific mutations like EGFR, ALK, ROS1, KRAS, and others. These trials often require genetic testing of your tumor first.
- Immunotherapy trials — Testing checkpoint inhibitors like pembrolizumab and nivolumab alone or in combinations, often with chemotherapy or other immunotherapy drugs.
- Early-stage trials — Testing whether newer treatments can shrink tumors before surgery or prevent recurrence after surgery in people with early-stage disease.
- Small cell lung cancer trials — Testing new approaches for this aggressive type, which has fewer treatment options than non-small cell lung cancer.
- Screening studies — Testing blood tests and imaging approaches to find lung cancer earlier, especially in people at high risk from smoking.
Recently added Lung Cancer trials
Vebreltinib Plus Furmonertinib in Patients With EGFR-mutated Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer and High PD-L1 Expression
This is a single-arm, exploratory phase Ib/II study with a seamless design to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Vebreltinib combined with furmonertinib as first-line treatment in patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring EGFR-sensitive mutations (exon 19 deletion or L858R) and PD-L1 TPS ≥50%. In the phase Ib part, 12-16 patients will be enrolled to compare the safety and early efficacy of Vebreltinib 100mg BID versus 150mg BID in combination with furmonertinib 80mg QD, and to determine the recommended phase II dose (RP2D). In the phase II part, 37 patients (including evaluable patients from the RP2D cohort in phase Ib) will receive treatment at the RP2D. The primary endpoint is investigator-assessed median progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints include objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), overall survival (OS), and safety. Exploratory endpoints will analyze the correlation between baseline MET abnormalities and treatment efficacy.
A Study to Investigate Treatment Patterns and Effectiveness of Tislelizumab in European Patients With Resectable or Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) and Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)
The purpose of this study is to collect real-world data on treatment patterns and clinical outcomes in European patients receiving tislelizumab in routine clinical practice
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