Latest Developments in Lung cancer treatment Research 2020

Lung cancer is a deadly ailment that once had a low survival rate. However, recent research developments have thrown new light on new treatment for aggressive form of lung cancer that are far more effective. The research leading up to 2020s have shown how treating lung cancer has improved leaps and bounds, so much so that the developments of the past 5 years have outweighed the advances in the past 5 decades leading up to it. There are many new lung cancer drugs approved by the FDA that make the latest lung cancer treatment for adult patients and children, a matter of hope. Read on to know more:

Surgery - Surgery is one of the forms of treatment given to patients with lung cancer. Technological advancements in surgeries have given the medical world the VATS (Video-assisted thoracic surgery). With meager chances of complications and better short-term and long-term survival rates, surgical oncologists are increasingly using VATS to treat patients.

Radiotherapy - Radiotherapy is another form of treatment used in lung cancer patients. One of the breakthroughs in non-surgical methods of cancer treatment is the stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (or SABR). This form of radiotherapy is finding its way towards being the standard of care over conventional external beam therapy. It has a high success rate in cases where the cancer is inoperable. Trials are undergoing, and statistics show this new form of treatment in a favorable light.

Molecular Testing - Molecular testing is used to find genetic mutations in cancerous cells. Finding specific mutations can lead to potential treatments. These are called target therapy. These personalized treatment plans have a higher chance of yielding positive results. The tests are prescribed for all lung cancer patients regardless of age or sex, and the results are used to personalize target therapies.

Systemic Therapy - Systemic therapy is a distinctive word for any cancer treatment subject to the entire body. For instance, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are the most conventional forms of systemic cancer therapy. All these therapies play an indispensable role in combating cancer cells present in the body. As 2020 begins, we can see almost 20 new agents that have led to this drastic change, which shines as a ray of hope for patients.

Targeted Therapy - Targeted Therapy has consistently been researched and developed to yield positive results with the onset of the 2010s. The number of agents being made to fight new oncogenic drivers and agents with higher genetic resistance barriers has been significantly high.

Immunotherapy - Immunotherapy and its introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors have been considered a milestone in the fight against lung cancer. Immune checkpoint inhibitors were primarily introduced in 2015 and played an imperative role in the treatment of lung cancer. Soon, immunotherapy was officially recognized from the later-line therapy to the first treatment. In a Tumor PD-L1 routine testing, checkpoint inhibitor therapy offered much more pronounced effects. Furthermore, the therapy was also combined with several other treatments like chemotherapy to bring about much more effective results. The promising finds in the area of immunotherapy research is an assuring sign.

The various advances in lung cancer treatment directly improve the patient's chances of winning the battle against lung cancer. With leading medical authorities approving novel treatment methods and results showing promising yield, the benefit a patient can reap from these advancements is enormous.