CancerRadar

Lung Cancer

Treatments & research overview

Best-in-class treatments in use today

For non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the most common type of lung cancer, several treatments are used as standard of care. These include targeted therapies, immunotherapies, and chemotherapy. Targeted therapies, such as osimertinib (Tagrisso), are used to treat patients with specific genetic mutations, like EGFR mutations. These medications work by blocking the growth of cancer cells. Osimertinib is approved for patients with EGFR-mutant NSCLC who have progressed on a previous EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Immunotherapies, such as pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and nivolumab (Opdivo), are used to treat patients with advanced NSCLC. These medications help the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. Pembrolizumab is approved for patients with NSCLC who have a high level of PD-L1 expression, while nivolumab is approved for patients with NSCLC who have progressed on previous treatments. Chemotherapy is often used in combination with targeted therapies or immunotherapies to treat NSCLC. Carboplatin and pemetrexed (Alimta) are common chemotherapy combinations used to treat patients with advanced NSCLC.

What researchers are actively studying

Researchers are actively studying several substances and approaches to improve treatment options for NSCLC. Some of the most prominent areas of research include: * KRAS inhibitors: Researchers are studying KRAS inhibitors, such as sotorasib (Lumakras) and fulzerasib, to treat patients with KRAS-mutant NSCLC. * Immunotherapy combinations: Researchers are testing combinations of immunotherapies, such as pembrolizumab and nivolumab, to improve treatment outcomes for patients with advanced NSCLC. * Targeted therapies: Researchers are studying new targeted therapies, such as osimertinib and necitumumab, to treat patients with specific genetic mutations. * Cancer vaccines: Researchers are testing cancer vaccines, such as OSE2101, to stimulate the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.

Where the evidence stands

The evidence for these treatments and approaches is varied. Some treatments, like osimertinib, have been shown to be effective in clinical trials and are approved by regulatory agencies. Other treatments, like KRAS inhibitors, are still in late-stage clinical trials and have not yet been approved. Early-stage clinical trials, such as Phase 1 and Phase 2 trials, are testing new treatments and approaches to treat NSCLC. These trials are often small and may not provide conclusive evidence of a treatment's effectiveness. However, they can provide valuable information about a treatment's safety and potential benefits.

What this means for people affected

The research landscape for NSCLC is complex and rapidly evolving. While there are many treatment options available, not all patients will respond to these treatments. Researchers are actively studying new substances and approaches to improve treatment outcomes for patients with NSCLC. This means that patients and their families should stay informed about the latest research and treatment options. They should also discuss their treatment options with their healthcare provider to determine the best course of treatment for their individual situation.

AI-generated summary · last updated March 6, 2026

Recent research findings

Lab StudyApril 1, 2026

New Link Found in Lung Cancer

Researchers studied a type of protein modification called myristoylation in non-small cell lung cancer cells. They found that certain proteins, including GLIPR2, play a role in a process called ferroptosis, which can kill cancer cells. The researchers used a new method to identify these proteins and understand their function.

Why it matters: This finding could lead to new therapeutic strategies for non-small cell lung cancer.

This is an early stage, preclinical study.

View source →
Phase 3 TrialMarch 5, 2026

Lung Cancer Treatment Study

This trial is studying a new combination of treatments for patients with a specific type of lung cancer. The trial is currently recruiting participants. It's too early to know if this treatment will be effective.

Why it matters: This trial matters because it may help find a new treatment option for patients with EGFR-mutant lung cancer.

The trial is currently recruiting and no results are available yet.

View source →
Phase 2 TrialMarch 5, 2026

Lung Cancer Treatment Trial

This trial is studying the addition of an anti-cancer drug, TRC102, to the usual chemotherapy treatment during radiation therapy for stage III non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer. The trial is currently recruiting participants. The goal is to see if this new combination is effective.

Why it matters: This trial matters because it may help find new and potentially more effective treatments for stage III non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer.

The trial is currently recruiting and is in an early stage, so limited data is available.

View source →
Phase 3 TrialMarch 5, 2026

Lung Cancer Treatment Trial

This trial is studying the addition of immunotherapy to chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer. The trial is currently recruiting participants. It aims to find out if this combination is effective.

Why it matters: This trial matters because it may help find a new way to treat non-small cell lung cancer.

The trial is currently recruiting and no results are available yet.

View source →
Phase 3 TrialMarch 5, 2026

Lung Cancer Immunotherapy Trial

This trial is studying if immunotherapy helps people with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer after standard treatment. The trial is currently recruiting participants. It's not yet known if this treatment will be effective.

Why it matters: This trial matters because it may help find new ways to treat lung cancer and prevent it from coming back.

The trial is currently recruiting and no results are available yet.

View source →
Animal StudyMarch 5, 2026

Propofol Enhances Cancer Treatment

Researchers studied how propofol affects non-small cell lung cancer cells. They found that propofol makes these cells more sensitive to a common chemotherapy drug. This happened through a process that involves modifying a protein called PARP-1.

Why it matters: This finding matters because it could help scientists understand how to make chemotherapy more effective for patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

This is an early study using animal models and lab experiments, and more research is needed to confirm these results in humans.

View source →
Phase 1 TrialMarch 5, 2026

HIPEC Trial for Peritoneal Cancer

This trial is studying a treatment called Heated Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) for people with certain types of peritoneal cancer. The trial is currently recruiting participants. Researchers are trying to learn more about how well this treatment works for these patients.

Why it matters: This trial matters because it may help find new ways to treat peritoneal cancer, which could improve outcomes for people with this disease.

This is an early-stage trial and it is still recruiting participants, so limited data is available.

View source →
Phase 2 TrialMarch 5, 2026

Lung Cancer Treatment Study

This trial is studying how well chemotherapy and immunotherapy work in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. The trial is currently recruiting participants and aims to compare treatment outcomes in patients with different levels of physical ability. It's still unclear what the results will show.

Why it matters: This trial matters because it may help doctors understand how to better treat lung cancer patients with varying levels of physical ability.

The trial is currently recruiting and is in an early stage, so limited data is available.

View source →
Phase 2 TrialMarch 5, 2026

Nivolumab and Ipilimumab Trial

This trial is studying the use of nivolumab and ipilimumab in treating patients with rare tumors. The trial is currently active but not recruiting new patients. Researchers are collecting data to see how well these treatments work.

Why it matters: This trial matters because it may help find new treatments for people with rare types of cancer.

The trial is currently not recruiting new patients and is in an early stage of research.

View source →
Lab StudyMarch 5, 2026

Combining Treatments for Lung Cancer

Researchers studied combining cetuximab with KRAS G12C inhibitors in lung cancer cells. They found that this combination enhanced the effect of one inhibitor, fulzerasib, in certain cells. The combination also changed the expression of various proteins in these cells.

Why it matters: This finding matters because it could help tailor treatments for patients with a specific type of lung cancer.

This is an early, preclinical study using cell lines and animal models, and its results may not translate to humans.

View source →
Phase 1 TrialMarch 5, 2026

Lung Cancer Treatment Study

This trial is studying a combination of two drugs, osimertinib and necitumumab, for patients with a type of lung cancer that has spread or come back. The trial is currently active but not recruiting new patients. Researchers are trying to learn if this treatment is safe and effective for these patients.

Why it matters: This trial matters because it may help find new treatment options for patients with lung cancer that has progressed despite previous treatment.

The trial is in its early stages and not recruiting new patients, so limited data is available.

View source →
Phase 1 TrialMarch 5, 2026

Lung Cancer Treatment Trial

This trial is studying the combination of a new anti-cancer drug, Iadademstat, with other anti-cancer drugs for small cell lung cancer. The trial is currently recruiting participants. It aims to find out if this combination improves outcomes for people with this type of cancer.

Why it matters: This trial matters because it may help find new and more effective treatments for small cell lung cancer.

The trial is in its early stage and recruiting participants, so limited data is available.

View source →
Phase 3 TrialMarch 5, 2026

Lung Cancer Treatment Trial

This trial is studying the addition of an antibody to standard chemoradiation for patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer. The trial is currently active but not recruiting new patients. Researchers are testing if this new approach is effective.

Why it matters: This trial matters because it may lead to a new treatment option for patients with unresectable stage III non-small cell lung cancer.

The trial is not recruiting new patients and no results have been reported yet.

View source →
Lab StudyMarch 4, 2026

Lung Cancer Transformation Studied

Researchers analyzed tumor cells from lung cancer patients to understand how non-small cell lung cancer transforms into small cell lung cancer. They found a stem-like cell subpopulation that may drive this transformation and identified immune cells that promote it. The role of these cells in transformation is still being studied.

Why it matters: This finding matters for understanding the mechanisms of lung cancer transformation and its impact on treatment resistance.

This is an early study with a limited number of patient samples.

View source →
Phase 3 TrialMarch 4, 2026

Vaccine Trial for Lung Cancer

This trial is studying a therapeutic cancer vaccine called OSE2101 in patients with non-small cell lung cancer who have developed resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors. The trial is currently recruiting participants. It's not yet clear how effective the vaccine will be.

Why it matters: This trial matters because it may provide a new treatment option for patients with non-small cell lung cancer who have limited other choices.

The trial is currently recruiting and no results are available yet.

View source →
Observational StudyMarch 4, 2026

Cost of Lung Cancer Treatments Compared

Researchers compared the cost-effectiveness of different treatments for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer in Japan. They found that pembrolizumab had the most favorable cost-effectiveness profile, while atezolizumab was the least cost-effective. The study's results are based on a comprehensive analysis of clinical trial data and real-world cost estimates.

Why it matters: This finding matters for patients and future research because it provides insight into the cost-effectiveness of different treatment options for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

The study's results are based on data from Japan and may not be generalizable to other populations or settings.

View source →
Phase 1 TrialMarch 4, 2026

New Treatment for Lung Cancer

Researchers tested a new treatment, izalontamab brengitecan, in patients with non-small cell lung cancer who had specific genetic changes. They found that the treatment had encouraging results, with many patients' tumors shrinking or stopping growth. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings.

Why it matters: This finding matters because it may provide a new treatment option for patients with lung cancer who have specific genetic changes and have not responded to other treatments.

This is an early-stage study with a relatively small number of patients, and more research is needed to confirm the results.

View source →
Observational StudyMarch 4, 2026

Lung Cancer Study Finds New Biomarkers

Researchers analyzed lung cancer cells to understand how certain genetic molecules, called lncRNAs, affect tumor growth and patient outcomes. They found that some lncRNAs are associated with poor prognosis and distinct immune profiles. The study's findings are based on an analysis of existing data and may need further validation.

Why it matters: This finding matters for patients or future research because it may help identify new targets for therapy and improve patient stratification.

The study is based on existing data and may need further validation through additional experiments or clinical trials.

View source →
Lab StudyMarch 4, 2026

Liposomal Amodiaquine for Lung Cancer

Researchers tested a new way to deliver an anti-malarial drug to lung cancer cells using inhalable liposomes. They found that this method showed promise in lab experiments, killing cancer cells more effectively than the drug alone. However, it's still unclear how this will work in people.

Why it matters: This finding matters for future research into new treatments for non-small cell lung cancer, which has limited current therapies.

This is an early, preclinical study that only involved lab experiments, and more research is needed to see if this approach will work in people.

View source →
Phase 2 TrialMarch 4, 2026

Lung Cancer Treatment Study

This trial is studying a new treatment for non-small cell lung cancer. It compares a drug called Telisotuzumab Adizutecan to standard care. The trial is currently recruiting participants.

Why it matters: This trial matters because it may help find new ways to treat non-small cell lung cancer in adults with a specific genetic mutation.

The trial is in an early stage and currently recruiting participants, so limited data is available.

View source →

Related clinical trials

PHASE1RECRUITING

Testing the Addition of Anti-Cancer Drug, ZEN003694 (ZEN-3694) and PD-1 Inhibitor (Pembrolizumab), to Standard Chemotherapy (Nab-Paclitaxel) Treatment in Patients With Advanced Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

NCT05422794 →
PHASE1RECRUITING

Testing the Safety of the Combination of Anti-Cancer Drugs CX-5461 (Pidnarulex) and Trastuzumab Deruxtecan (T-DXd) for Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2)-Positive Solid Tumors and Breast Cancer

NCT07137416 →
NAACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

Partial Irradiation and Sequential vs. Concurrent Chemo Early Breast Cancer

NCT01928589 →
PHASE4RECRUITING

Pharmacokinetic Study of Skeletal Muscle Area-based Paclitaxel Infusion in Patients With Cancer

NCT05183126 →
PHASE3ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

Hormone Therapy With or Without Combination Chemotherapy in Treating Women Who Have Undergone Surgery for Node-Negative Breast Cancer (The TAILORx Trial)

NCT00310180 →
PHASE2ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

Testing the Addition of Radium Therapy (Radium-223 Dichloride) to the Usual Chemotherapy Treatment (Paclitaxel) for Advanced Breast Cancer That Has Spread to the Bones

NCT04090398 →
RECRUITING

Clinical, Laboratory, and Epidemiologic Characterization of Individuals and Families at High Risk of Melanoma

NCT00040352 →
PHASE2ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

A Phase II/III Trial of Nivolumab, Ipilimumab, and GM-CSF in Patients With Advanced Melanoma

NCT02339571 →
PHASE2RECRUITING

Testing the Addition of an Individualized Vaccine to Durvalumab and Tremelimumab and Chemotherapy in Patients With Metastatic Triple Negative Breast Cancer

NCT03606967 →
PHASE3RECRUITING

Adding an Immunotherapy Drug, MEDI4736 (Durvalumab), to the Usual Chemotherapy Treatment (Paclitaxel, Cyclophosphamide, and Doxorubicin) for Stage II-III Breast Cancer

NCT06058377 →