A notable finding from recent research is that zongertinib, a selective HER2A protein that promotes cell growth — overexpressed in some breast and stomach cancers.Click for full explanation → tyrosine kinase inhibitor, achieved an objective response rateThe proportion of patients whose cancer shrinks or disappears after treatment.Click for full explanation → of 76% and a median progression-free survival of 14.4 months in patients newly diagnosed with HER2A protein that promotes cell growth — overexpressed in some breast and stomach cancers.Click for full explanation →-mutant NSCLC, substantially outperforming the roughly 30% response rateThe proportion of patients whose cancer shrinks or disappears after treatment.Click for full explanation → and less than 7 months duration seen with chemotherapyDrugs that kill rapidly dividing cells, including cancer cells.Click for full explanation →. Phase 3 trials are comparing immunotherapyTreatments that use the body's immune system to fight cancer.Click for full explanation → combinations: a study (NCT04267848) is testing immunotherapyTreatments that use the body's immune system to fight cancer.Click for full explanation → added to standard chemotherapyDrugs that kill rapidly dividing cells, including cancer cells.Click for full explanation → in NSCLC, and another (NCT06312137) is evaluating sacituzumab tirumotecan combined with pembrolizumab in resectable NSCLC not achieving pathological complete response. A Phase 2 study (NCT07329322) is examining sacituzumab tirumotecan with osimertinib as neoadjuvant treatment for resectable EGFR-mutated NSCLC. KRASOne of the most common cancer-driving mutations, found in lung, colon, and pancreatic cancers.Click for full explanation → G12C-directed therapy is being evaluated in unresectable Stage III NSCLC (NCT05398094). T cell receptor-based therapies engineered to target KRASOne of the most common cancer-driving mutations, found in lung, colon, and pancreatic cancers.Click for full explanation → G12D mutationsA change in DNA sequence that can drive cancer development.Click for full explanation → are in Phase 1 testing (NCT06218914). For SCLC, a DLL3-targeted chimeric antigen receptorA type of immunotherapy that genetically engineers a patient's own T cells to recognise and destroy cancer cells.Click for full explanation → T cell (CAR-TA type of immunotherapy that reprograms a patient's own T cells to attack cancer.Click for full explanation →) therapy is in early Phase 1 evaluation (NCT07249879). Research on circulating tumor cells as predictors of response to neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy is ongoing, as is work on exosomal RNA fragments as non-invasive diagnostic biomarkersA measurable biological signal used to detect disease or predict treatment response.Click for full explanation →. Overcoming primary immunotherapyTreatments that use the body's immune system to fight cancer.Click for full explanation → resistance in tumors with STK11 mutationsA change in DNA sequence that can drive cancer development.Click for full explanation → is another active area of investigation.
Where the evidence stands
Targeted therapiesDrugs that block specific molecules that cancer cells need to grow.Click for full explanation → for NSCLC with actionable mutationsA change in DNA sequence that can drive cancer development.Click for full explanation → in EGFR, ALK, BRAF, KRASOne of the most common cancer-driving mutations, found in lung, colon, and pancreatic cancers.Click for full explanation → G12C, RET, and HER2A protein that promotes cell growth — overexpressed in some breast and stomach cancers.Click for full explanation → have the strongest evidence base and are standard of care when applicable. ImmunotherapyTreatments that use the body's immune system to fight cancer.Click for full explanation → alone or with chemotherapyDrugs that kill rapidly dividing cells, including cancer cells.Click for full explanation → has robust Phase 3 support for NSCLC without actionable mutationsA change in DNA sequence that can drive cancer development.Click for full explanation → and for SCLC. The pipeline for overcoming acquired resistance after EGFR inhibitor therapy is active at Phase 1 and Phase 2. Newer antibody-drug conjugates are moving through Phase 2 and Phase 3 trials. CAR-TA type of immunotherapy that reprograms a patient's own T cells to attack cancer.Click for full explanation → and T cell receptor-based cellular therapies are in very early Phase 1 exploration. Combination immunotherapyTreatments that use the body's immune system to fight cancer.Click for full explanation → and neoadjuvant strategies are being refined across multiple settings. BiomarkerA measurable biological signal used to detect disease or predict treatment response.Click for full explanation →-based detection tools are still in the research and validation phase.
What this means for people affected
Lung cancer, once treated primarily with chemotherapyDrugs that kill rapidly dividing cells, including cancer cells.Click for full explanation →, now has a broad landscape of targeted therapiesDrugs that block specific molecules that cancer cells need to grow.Click for full explanation → for patients whose tumors carry specific mutationsA change in DNA sequence that can drive cancer development.Click for full explanation →. Molecular testing at diagnosis has become an essential step that can unlock highly effective treatment options. For those without actionable mutationsA change in DNA sequence that can drive cancer development.Click for full explanation →, immunotherapyTreatments that use the body's immune system to fight cancer.Click for full explanation → has meaningfully extended survival in many cases. Small cell lung cancer remains challenging, though immunotherapyTreatments that use the body's immune system to fight cancer.Click for full explanation → combinations have shown benefit. The research pace is fast, with multiple active trials testing how to extend disease control after resistance develops and how to bring cellular therapies from early investigation into clinical use.
Last updated May 4, 2026
Recent research findings
Understanding evidence levels▼
PreclinicalLab or cell studies — no human data yet.
Animal StudyResults in animals only — may not apply to humans.
Phase 1 TrialFirst-in-human safety testing in small groups.
Phase 2 TrialEarly effectiveness testing in a larger group.
Phase 3 TrialLarge controlled trial — the strongest trial evidence.
Observational StudyPatterns observed in populations — not a controlled trial.
ReviewSummary analysis of multiple existing studies.
Meta-AnalysisStatistical pooling of results from multiple studies.
Lab StudyLaboratory experiments on cells or tissue. No human or animal data.Published: May 18, 2026
New BiomarkerA measurable biological signal used to detect disease or predict treatment response.Click for full explanation → Identified in Lung Cancer
Researchers analyzed 1,896 genes in lung cancer patients and found that high levels of SERPINA3 were associated with poorer outcomes. They also found that SERPINA3 was linked to a type of immune dysfunction in the tumor. This suggests that SERPINA3 may be a useful biomarkerA measurable biological signal used to detect disease or predict treatment response.Click for full explanation → for identifying patients at higher risk of lung cancer progression.
Why it matters: This finding could help doctors identify patients who may benefit from more aggressive treatment or closer monitoring.
Efficacy
Tumors with high SERPINA3 expression had shorter overall and progression-free survival (OS: log-rank p=0.016; PFS: log-rank p=0.018).
Observational StudyPatterns observed in populations over time, not a controlled experiment.Published: May 18, 2026
New Study Links Cancer Treatment to Respiratory Complications
Researchers looked at how a type of cancer treatment called neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy affects patients after thoracic surgery. They found that patients who received this treatment were more likely to experience respiratory problems after surgery. The study suggests that patients who received this treatment had a higher risk of respiratory complications.
Why it matters: This finding could help doctors better understand the risks associated with this treatment and monitor patients more closely after surgery.
This study was a retrospective analysis of 327 patients and may not be representative of all patients who receive this treatment.
Phase 1 TrialFirst-in-human trial. Focuses on safety and dosing in small groups.Published: May 18, 2026
Combining Futibatinib and Binimetinib in Advanced Cancer Treatment
Researchers tested a combination of two cancer drugs, futibatinib and binimetinib, in lab experiments and a small clinical trialA research study that tests a medical intervention in human volunteers.Click for full explanation →. They found that the combination showed promise in treating certain types of lung cancer, but the trial was stopped due to side effects. The exact effectiveness of this combination is still unclear.
Why it matters: This study contributes to the ongoing search for effective treatments for advanced cancer, particularly for patients with KRASOne of the most common cancer-driving mutations, found in lung, colon, and pancreatic cancers.Click for full explanation →-mutant non-small cell lung cancer.
The trial was stopped early due to side effects, and the sample size was small.
✦ Significant findingA meaningful signal from later-stage research, or a strong phase 2 result that stands out from routine findings.Phase 3 TrialLarge controlled trial comparing treatments. The strongest level of trial evidence.Published: May 18, 2026
New Insights into Lung Cancer Treatment without Tobacco History
Researchers analyzed data from 741 patients with lung cancer who never smoked and didn't have specific genetic mutationsA change in DNA sequence that can drive cancer development.Click for full explanation →. They found that high levels of certain proteins and immune cells in the tumor were associated with better treatment outcomes. The study suggests that combining different treatments may improve results for these patients.
Why it matters: This finding could help doctors choose the best treatment options for patients with lung cancer who don't smoke and don't have specific genetic mutationsA change in DNA sequence that can drive cancer development.Click for full explanation →.
Efficacy
Objective response rate was 23.2%, median progression-free survival was 4.5 months, and median overall survival was 16.8 months.
Observational StudyPatterns observed in populations over time, not a controlled experiment.Published: May 17, 2026
Optimal Cancer Care Linked to Better Survival Rates
Researchers studied cancer patients in California and Texas to see how quickly they received treatment and how well it matched guidelines. They found that patients who got timely, guideline-concordant care had better survival rates, but this benefit was reduced for those living in the most vulnerable neighborhoods.
Why it matters: This finding highlights the importance of considering social factors in cancer care and treatment outcomes.
Efficacy
Patients who received optimal care had hazard ratios for death of 0.45 (colon cancer), 0.35 (NSCLC), and 0.46 (pancreatic cancer) compared to those who received least optimal care.
Lab StudyLaboratory experiments on cells or tissue. No human or animal data.Published: May 16, 2026
Better Cancer Diagnosis with More Accurate Imaging
Researchers compared two ways to train computer models to predict cancer genotypes from CT scans. They found that using biopsy-confirmed lesions improved model performance and generalizability. This approach may help improve cancer diagnosis, but more research is needed.
Why it matters: This finding could lead to more accurate non-invasive cancer diagnosis, which may support clinical decision-making when tissue sampling is limited.
Efficacy
All models achieved significant discrimination of EGFR status on internal validation (AUC = 0.62-0.68).
Observational StudyPatterns observed in populations over time, not a controlled experiment.Published: May 16, 2026
Comparing Cancer Treatments for Lung Cancer Patients
Researchers compared two treatment strategies for patients with advanced lung cancer. They found that two different approaches had similar results in terms of survival and side effects. However, the study had some limitations.
Why it matters: This finding could help doctors choose the best treatment for patients with advanced lung cancer.
Efficacy
The two-year overall survival rate was 94.9% in the induction plus consolidation group.
This study was retrospective and involved a relatively small number of patients.
Observational StudyPatterns observed in populations over time, not a controlled experiment.Published: May 16, 2026
Rare Lung Cancer Case Responds to New Treatment
Researchers reported a case of lung cancer that had come back after surgery in an 84-year-old woman. The cancer had two genetic mutationsA change in DNA sequence that can drive cancer development.Click for full explanation →, EGFR and HER2A protein that promotes cell growth — overexpressed in some breast and stomach cancers.Click for full explanation →, and had not responded to a common treatment. The woman then received a new treatment called trastuzumab deruxtecan, which caused the cancer to shrink and controlled the disease for about 6 months.
Why it matters: This finding may help doctors develop new treatment approaches for lung cancer with multiple genetic mutationsA change in DNA sequence that can drive cancer development.Click for full explanation →.
Observational StudyPatterns observed in populations over time, not a controlled experiment.Published: May 16, 2026
Blood Test May Predict Lung Cancer Treatment Success
Researchers studied 63 patients with lung cancer who received radiation therapy. They analyzed changes in a specific type of immune cell in the blood and found that these changes were associated with how long patients lived without their cancer getting worse. This suggests that a blood test may be able to predict which patients are more likely to benefit from additional treatment.
Why it matters: This finding could help doctors decide which patients need additional treatment and which may not benefit from it.
Efficacy
A higher D50 index on-RT was significantly associated with improved median PFS (not reached vs 21.95 months; P = .0246), and patients with low D50 index variation between on-RT and post-RT had a median PFS that was not reached (95% CI, 30.72-NA).
Lab StudyLaboratory experiments on cells or tissue. No human or animal data.Published: May 16, 2026
Ginsenoside Rh2 May Help Treat Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Researchers studied how ginsenoside Rh2 affects non-small-cell lung cancer cells. They found that it may help slow the growth of these cells by targeting a protein called AURKA. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings.
Why it matters: This study may lead to new treatments for non-small-cell lung cancer, a common and deadly type of cancer.
This study was conducted in lab experiments and may not directly translate to human patients.
Lab StudyLaboratory experiments on cells or tissue. No human or animal data.Published: May 15, 2026
New Insights into Lung Cancer Treatment with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
Researchers used a special platform to study the immune system around lung cancer tumors. They found a combination of three features that might help predict how well patients respond to a type of cancer treatment. This could lead to better treatment choices for patients.
Why it matters: This finding could help doctors make more informed decisions about which treatments to use for lung cancer patients.
✦ Significant findingA meaningful signal from later-stage research, or a strong phase 2 result that stands out from routine findings.Phase 2 TrialTests early effectiveness in a larger group after phase 1 safety is established.Published: May 15, 2026
New Research on Leptomeningeal Disease Treatment
Researchers reviewed 10 clinical studies on treating leptomeningeal disease, a complication of solid tumors. They found some promising results from targeted therapyDrugs that block specific molecules that cancer cells need to grow.Click for full explanation → and intrathecal treatments, but more research is needed. The studies had some limitations, such as small sample sizes and varied outcomes.
Why it matters: This research could help improve treatment options for patients with leptomeningeal disease.
Efficacy
Two Korean phase II studies demonstrated consistent intracranial activity of osimertinib in EGFR-mutant NSCLC-LMD, with median OS 13-15 months and intracranial ORR 51.6%.
Reliance on single-arm designs, heterogeneous endpoints, and sparse quality of life data reduces confidence in the findings.
Study of AU-007, A Monoclonal Antibody That Binds to IL-2 and Inhibits IL-2Rα Binding, in Patients With Unresectable Locally Advanced or Metastatic Cancer
KEYMAKER-U01 Substudy 01A: Efficacy and Safety Study of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) With or Without ChemotherapyDrugs that kill rapidly dividing cells, including cancer cells.Click for full explanation → When Used With Investigational Agents in Treatment-naïve Participants With Stage IV Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) (MK-3475-01A/KEYMAKER-U01A)
KEYMAKER-U01 Umbrella Master Study: Studies of Investigational Agents With Either Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) Alone or With Pembrolizumab PLUS ChemotherapyDrugs that kill rapidly dividing cells, including cancer cells.Click for full explanation → in Participants With Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) (MK-3475-U01/KEYMAKER-U01)
A Global Study to Assess the Effects of Durvalumab + Domvanalimab Following Concurrent Chemoradiation in Participants With Stage III Unresectable NSCLC
A Study Evaluating the Safety, Activity, and Pharmacokinetics of Divarasib as a Single Agent or in Combination With Other Anti-Cancer Therapies in Participants With Previously Untreated Advanced or Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer With a KRASOne of the most common cancer-driving mutations, found in lung, colon, and pancreatic cancers.Click for full explanation → G12C MutationA change in DNA sequence that can drive cancer development.Click for full explanation →
A Phase I/II Study of Sacituzumab Govitecan Plus Berzosertib in Small Cell Lung Cancer, Extra-Pulmonary Small Cell Neuroendocrine Cancer and Homologous Recombination-Deficient Cancers Resistant to PARP InhibitorsDrugs that block PARP enzymes, exploiting DNA repair defects in cancer cells such as those with BRCA mutations.Click for full explanation →
A Study to Compare the Combination of Navlimetostat (BMS-986504) With Pembrolizumab and ChemotherapyDrugs that kill rapidly dividing cells, including cancer cells.Click for full explanation → Versus Placebo Plus Pembrolizumab and ChemotherapyDrugs that kill rapidly dividing cells, including cancer cells.Click for full explanation → in First-line Metastatic Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Participants With Homozygous MTAP Deletion
Testing the Use of Combination ImmunotherapyTreatments that use the body's immune system to fight cancer.Click for full explanation → Treatment (N-803 [ALT-803] Plus Pembrolizumab) Against the Usual Treatment for Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (A Lung-MAP Treatment Trial)
