A groundbreaking international collaboration is taking systematic aim at lung cancer's most pressing challenges, with the ambitious goal of eliminating it as a cause of death. The Lung Ambition Alliance, launched in July last year, brings together the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC), Guardant Health, the Global Lung Cancer Coalition (GLCC), and AstraZeneca in a coordinated effort to transform patient outcomes.
Confronting Late-Stage Diagnosis
Current global statistics paint a stark picture - only one in five lung cancer patients survives five years after diagnosis. However, in countries with advanced healthcare systems like Japan, survival rates reach nearly 30%, highlighting the potential impact of early intervention and comprehensive care.
The Alliance has identified screening as a critical priority. Despite evidence that low-dose CT (LDCT) screening can save lives, implementation of screening programs remains limited globally. Dr. Tetsuya Mitsudomi, IASLC president and Alliance co-founder, notes, "We are missing the opportunity to diagnose asymptomatic people at a point when there is a potential for them to be cured."
To address this gap, the Alliance is supporting the Early Imaging Lung Confederation (ELIC), a cloud-based screening registry designed to improve early-stage lung cancer detection and management. Public support for such initiatives is strong, with 87% of surveyed individuals favoring national screening programs.
Advancing Treatment Innovation
The second major focus area centers on delivering innovative medicines, particularly in earlier disease stages. The lung cancer treatment landscape has evolved rapidly with targeted therapies and immunotherapies, but the Alliance sees potential for even greater impact through earlier intervention.
The Major Pathologic Response (MPR) Project represents a key initiative in this space, investigating the effectiveness of pre-operative therapies like immunotherapy. This project aims to validate surrogate endpoints and identify predictive biomarkers, potentially accelerating the development of next-generation treatments for various tumor types and genetic mutations.
Addressing Care Disparities
Quality of care variations remain a significant challenge globally. The Alliance is tackling this through multiple approaches, including the Initiatives in Lung Cancer Care (ILC2) grant programme, which supports patient organizations in developing locally-tailored solutions to improve care delivery.
Additionally, the Alliance supports the Staging Project, working to standardize international lung cancer staging guidelines and develop the 9th edition of the Tumour, Node and Metastasis (TNM) staging system.
Breaking Down Stigma Barriers
A persistent challenge in lung cancer care is stigma. Recent survey data reveals that only 22% of people disagree with attributing lung cancer to patients' lifestyle choices. This stigma can delay diagnosis and treatment, as patients may feel guilty and hesitate to seek medical attention. It also impacts research funding allocation, potentially slowing progress in developing new treatments.
The Alliance's comprehensive approach, combining improved screening, innovative treatments, and enhanced care quality, represents a coordinated effort to overcome these challenges. With more than 7,500 IASLC members worldwide and growing support from various stakeholders, the initiative demonstrates the power of collaborative action in tackling one of healthcare's most pressing challenges.
