Become a Peter Mac Discovery Partner

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month

Lung cancer is the fifth most diagnosed cancer in Australia, with an estimated 15,122 Australian’s being diagnosed this year. This November, we’re thrilled to be able to share a glimpse into some of the innovative lung cancer research happening here at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. 

Download our November Lung Cancer Awareness Sheet as a PDF or view below.

CROWN Study: Treating ALK-positive, advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

Peter Mac oncologist Professor Ben Solomon has seen remarkable results from a Peter Mac-led Phase III international clinical trial, CROWN.

The five-year, progression-free-survival data for the CROWN study involved 296 patients with previously untreated ALK-positive, advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). Patients in this Phase III trial were randomized to receive either the new drug lorlatinib or an earlier treatment crizotinib.

Five years after treatment, 60% of patients treated with lorlatinib remained alive and without disease progression and this compared to just 8% for patients who received crizotinib.

Lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer-related death around the world. NSCLC accounts for approximately 80-85% of lung cancers, with ALK-positive tumours occurring in about 3-5% of NSCLC cases.

ASPIRATION trial: Genomic profiling in metastatic lung cancer tissue

Prof Solomon is also co-lead of the ASPiRATION trial which is providing comprehensive genomic testing to 1,000 newly diagnosed patients with lung cancer across Australia.

This testing identifies if a patient has any of a wide array of genetic targets (including ROS1 but many others) for which a targeted drug may be available, or in clinical trials.

This enables patients who are not responding well to conventional treatments to be diverted to drugs more likely to work for them based on their genetic testing results, an approach known as “precision medicine”.

“Targeted drugs, while not yet a cure, are extending life and improving quality of life for people with lung cancer and we’re starting to see the benefits in terms of improved long-term survival,” said Prof Solomon..

Thanks to research, between 1991-95 and 2016-20, the five-year survival rates for lung cancer have improved from 10.3% to 25.6%, but there is still much more work to be done. Your support helps researchers like Prof Solomon continue their vital work to improve the lives of all Australians impacted by cancer.

Download our November Lung Cancer Awareness Sheet as a PDF or view below.