Welcome to the newsletter from LUNGevity's Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patient Gateway.
In this edition, we highlight progress in both early-stage and late-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Studies continue to show the benefits of using immunotherapy to treat patients with metastatic disease. Based on these initial findings in the advanced disease setting, we are now seeing both immunotherapy and targeted therapies move to the early-stage setting, either as neoadjuvant (before surgery) or adjuvant (after surgery) options.
As these treatment options emerge, it is important that we identify who will benefit from which option. This suggests comprehensive biomarker testing is likely to become increasingly important for patients diagnosed with early-stage lung cancer.
Researchers are also working to develop better biomarkers to identify those who may respond best to immunotherapy treatment options.
In addition to treatment progress, there are changes being considered to improve the way we stage lung cancer.
Research News
Knowledia
Proposed TNM Update Could Shift Staging for Lung Cancers
Published Sep 13, 2023
Inside Precision Medicine
CheckMate 227 Trial Shows Long-Term Dual Immunotherapy Benefits In Advanced NSCLC
Published Sep 13, 2023
The ASCO Post
AEGEAN Trial Demonstrates Positive Surgical Outcomes With the Addition of Perioperative Durvalumab to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy
Published Sep 13, 2023
MDedge
For NSCLC, neoadjuvant, adjuvant, or both?
Published Aug 7, 2023
MDPI
Biomarkers for Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Response in NSCLC: Current Developments and Applicability
Published Jul 25, 2023
Get Connected
Join us for the NSCLC Virtual Meetup
It’s the easy way to build your community. The second Wednesday of each month, you can connect with others who understand what it’s like to live with NSCLC without actionable mutations. The next No Mutations Virtual Meetup is happening on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at 12 pm ET. Register for the No Mutations Meetup to get a confirmation email with details about how to join the virtual meeting. Can’t make it? Don’t worry, there’s a full list of virtual meetups to fit your schedule.
Learn from Experts at Your Convenience
The International Lung Cancer Survivorship Conference is LUNGevity’s annual virtual conference (held in September) to inform patients and caregivers about the latest lung cancer research and treatments. The sessions have been recorded and are available for free viewing until December 21. Register today to access these informative sessions from lung cancer experts. Learn more here.
Have You Seen?
Decentralized Trials: Bringing Clinical Trials Closer to the Patient
While participating in clinical trials can provide substantial benefits to people with lung cancer, the resources required to do so may pose significant hurdles, especially to those who don’t live close to where trials are held, such as academic medical centers or major oncology network sites. Decentralized clinical trials remove some hurdles to trial participation for patients and are thus important for improving trial access for larger and more diverse groups of people. This article discusses some of the work being done to decentralize clinical trials and improve access for patients. Read it here.
Emotional Care for the Whole
Family
A diagnosis of cancer has an impact on the entire family. Emotional support from family and friends can make a significant difference to the experience of survivorship, but figuring out when, how, and in what way to offer support can be difficult. In this article, Julie Larson, a licensed clinical social worker, offers guidance on these challenging situations. Read it here.
Shared Decision-Making, Self-Advocacy, and Dealing with Financial Toxicity
In this webinar, oncologist Cardinale Smith, MD, PhD, discusses how it is possible and preferable for the healthcare team to make treatment decisions that align with the patient’s goals. Watch it here.
…and so much more at the NSCLC Patient Gateway.
If you were forwarded this email and you’d like to subscribe to this newsletter, you can sign up here.
If you need further assistance along your lung cancer journey, please email us at support@lungevity.org. Our team is always here to assist you.
