Weekly News

Lung Cancer News
Week Ending March 30, 2020

The IASLC is collecting member and patient experiences with COVID-19 as a way to pool knowledge and connect our members during this public health crisis. These stories, information from the Journal of Thoracic Oncology (JTO), and official statements from the IASLC will be published on this page. In addition, this page will feature links to important resources such as journal articles and social media groups relevant to the care of patients with lung cancer.

Coronavirus and Lung Cancer: Crucial Coronavirus (Covid-19) information on Hope With Answers: Living With Lung Cancer podcasts
“Los Angeles, CA, March 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Covid-19 caused by the Coronavirus poses a significant risk to people living with lung cancer and people who are immunocompromised. Lung Cancer Foundation of America is stepping in to help with podcasts featuring the latest research and information from lung cancer experts and patients telling their stories during the pandemic.”

Are Patients with Cancer at Higher Risk of COVID-19?
“Patients with cancer who are diagnosed with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) tend to have poorer outcomes, and it is vital that the oncology treatment team screen their patients for the virus before continuing on with treatment, according to a small study conducted in Wuhan, China.”

AI-powered blood test detects lung cancer with DNA analysis
“Stanford researchers have developed a way to screen for lung cancer by combining next-gen molecular DNA quantification with machine learning. The experimental technique requires only a blood test and could, with refinement, replace low-dose CT scanning as an initial exam for longtime smokers.”

Delaying Cancer Surgery During COVID-19
“Cancer surgeries may need to be delayed as hospitals are forced to allocate resources to a surge of COVID-19 patients, says the American College of Surgeons, as it issues a new set of recommendations in reaction to the crisis.”

FDA Approves Durvalumab for Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer
“The FDA has approved durvalumab (Imfinzi) in combination with standard-of-care chemotherapy, etoposide and carboplatin or cisplatin, as a frontline treatment for adult patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC).¹ “

Can a blood test pinpoint lung cancers in high-risk people?
“It’s not really news that elderly people with a significant smoking history are at increased risk for lung cancers. Annual, low-dose computed tomography scans for those at especially high risk have been shown to be a useful way to catch the disease early enough to reduce deaths. But this type of screening has a high false-discovery rate, and only about 5% of eligible patients actually choose or have access to regular CT scans.”