Metastatic Lung Cancer Clinical Trials 2023

What Are Metastatic Lung Cancer Clinical Trials?

Metastasis is the process of cancerous cells spreading from their site of origin to other parts of the body. When these cells detach from a malignancy, they migrate through the blood or lymph system to invade healthy tissue. Metastasis is a gradual process in stage three or four of cancer.

In local metastatic lung cancer, the cancerous cells travel from their site of origin to other areas of the lung. However, the cancerous cells spread to distant body systems in distant metastatic lung cancer. Furthermore, metastatic tumours can develop in the lung when cancerous cells spread from distant malignancies to the respiratory system. Similarly, malignancies that originate in the lungs can metastasize to other parts of the body.

Clinical trials for metastatic lung cancer investigate the ways to optimize the safety and efficacy of existing therapeutic regimens. Researchers also aim to find new metastatic lung cancer treatments to improve patient outcomes.

Why Is Metastatic Lung Cancer Being Studied Through Clinical Trials?

Responsible for twenty-five percent of all deaths caused by cancer, lung cancers are a significant threat to global health. This statistic includes metastatic lung cancer cases. Furthermore, the five-year survival rate of metastatic lung cancer is as low as seven percent.

Therefore, addressing the poor survival rate and increasing prevalence of metastatic lung cancer is imperative in improving patient outcomes. There are several established treatments for metastatic lung cancer; however, treatment complications severely impact the patient’s quality of life.

What Are The Types of Treatment Available For Metastatic Lung Cancer?

Metastatic lung cancer treatment combines surgery, immunotherapy, targeted drug therapy, and chemotherapy. Each approach supports the body’s immune system in destroying cancerous cells.

In patients whose primary cancer is well-controlled and whose metastasized malignancies are isolated in the lung, surgery is an option. Furthermore, surgery is limited to patients strong enough to survive the recovery. Thoracic surgeons perform lobectomies, segmentectomies, pneumonectomies, or wedge resections.

Before surgery, patients are required to improve their exercise routine in preparation for post-surgery recovery. Following surgery, patients frequently receive adjuvant therapy to reduce their risk of recurrence.

Furthermore, metastatic lung patients require palliative care, including psychological counselling, dietary interventions, and pain management. Shortness of breath is a prevalent symptom that metastatic lung cancer patients experience. Physicians prescribe opioids and anxiolytics to manage shortness of breath.

What Are Some Recent Breakthrough Clinical Trials For Metastatic Lung Cancer?

Researchers have made several significant discoveries through metastatic lung cancer clinical trial research, such as the following:

2023: Metastatic tumours adapt their metabolism to the secondary cancer site to optimally grow: researchers discovered that secondary tumours alter their metabolic processes to mirror the metabolism of their secondary site. This discovery allows scientists to inhibit the growth of cancerous cells more effectively.

Who Are Some Of The Key Researchers Conducting Metastatic Lung Cancer Clinical Trial Research?

The MD Anderson Research Centre is a global leader in lung cancer research, including metastatic lung cancer. The centre’s current research includes investigating how to utilize each patient’s molecular profile to individualize treatment and use stereotactic radiosurgery in metastatic lung cancer.