Clinical trials offer hope for lung cancer patients
Researchers, oncologists, and experts in thoracic surgery are uncovering new frontiers in lung cancer diagnosis, prevention, and intervention. These innovative lung cancer treatments and approaches are resulting in more positive outcomes for lung cancer patients everywhere.
New ways to diagnose and treat lung cancer
At the Lankenau Institute for Medical Research (LIMR), the research institute of Main Line Health, oncologists and cancer researchers are working together to find new ways to diagnose and treat lung cancer, as well as how to improve quality of life for people who have been diagnosed with lung cancer.
In the past, our research at LIMR has allowed us to develop a predictive test for patients with lung and other types of cancer to determine whether chemotherapy would result in nausea, a common side effect of chemotherapy. Research conducted at LIMR led to the discovery of the first inhibitors of IDO1, a gene that is a critical component in clinical trials for lung cancer, breast cancer, melanoma and other cancers.
Research conducted at LIMR led to discovery of the first IDO1 inhibitors, a gene critical in clinical trials for lung cancer, breast cancer, melanoma and other cancers.
Research conducted at LIMR led to the discovery of the first IDO1 inhibitors, a gene that is a critical component in clinical trials for lung cancer, breast cancer, melanoma and other cancers.
Related: LIMR develops a therapeutic approach that may improve outcomes of patients on cancer immunotherapies
Our research continues—immunotherapies are an exciting part of our research and work at LIMR, and we look forward to learning more about how we can harness the power of the immune system to improve diagnosis, life expectancy, and quality of life using these new treatments.
Is a clinical trial right for you?
Clinical trials are critical to the advancement of cancer treatments, so I always recommend them to eligible patients. When there are already-approved treatments for a person's cancer, a clinical trial will provide the opportunity for patients to get a treatment that we hope may be better than the available standard, often by comparing a new approach to that standard.
When no standard treatment is available, clinical trials provide the opportunity for patients to get a potentially effective therapy in a setting where no therapy has so far proven to be beneficial. Even if the therapy proves ineffective, the information obtained in a carefully done trial will help future patients.
All patients treated on clinical trials are followed very carefully by our clinical trials staff, in addition to the patient's oncology care team, so trial participants have an extra layer of care provided to them and the satisfaction of knowing they're helping us learn how best to treat future patients—in addition to potentially improving their own outcomes.
Clinical trials at Main Line Health
At the Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, we offer access to clinical trials. We are at the forefront of new discoveries in lung cancer prevention and treatment and are championing further progress through the implementation of expert-informed clinical trials designed to supplement treatments for patients at every stage of lung cancer. By participating in research, you help improve lung cancer prevention, detection and treatment for the future.
If you have been diagnosed with lung cancer, and you are interested in exploring all of your treatment options, talk to your cancer team about clinical trials that might be right for you.