State of the art lung cancer care—innovations from diagnosis to treatment
Lung cancer remains one of the most daunting challenges in the realm of oncology, claiming countless lives and imposing profound physical, emotional, and societal burdens. Over the decades, medical advancements have significantly improved our understanding of this complex disease, yet there remains much to be explored and addressed. This continuum—spanning prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship—illustrates the intricate interplay of science, healthcare systems, and human resilience.
In this work, we delve into the evolving narrative of lung cancer, from its epidemiology and risk factors to the cutting-edge technologies and therapies that offer hope for patients and families. The continuum underscores the importance of personalized medicine, early intervention, and the integration of supportive care alongside curative efforts. It is our hope that this compilation serves not only as a resource for healthcare professionals and researchers but also as a beacon of awareness and inspiration for the public. As we traverse this continuum, let us remember that progress in the fight against lung cancer is not merely measured in statistics but in the countless lives touched by compassion, innovation, and determination.
In recent years, immunotherapy has emerged as a groundbreaking approach in the fight against lung cancer. By harnessing the body’s own immune system, immunotherapy treatments such as immune checkpoint inhibitors, chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T cell) therapy, and cancer vaccines have shown remarkable promise. These therapies work by either enhancing the immune system’s ability to recognize and attack cancer cells or by directly targeting specific mechanisms that allow cancer to evade immune detection. For many patients, immunotherapy has not only improved survival rates but also offered a better quality of life compared to traditional treatments.
Minimally invasive surgery has also revolutionized the surgical management of lung cancer. Techniques such as video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and robotic-assisted surgery allow surgeons to operate with precision through small incisions, reducing trauma to the body. These approaches minimize recovery time, lower the risk of complications, and preserve lung function, making surgery a viable option for a broader range of patients. By combining advanced imaging and robotic technology, minimally invasive surgery exemplifies the integration of innovation and patient-centered care.
The future of cancer treatment research is incredibly promising. The development of therapies tailored to individual genetic profiles continues to grow. This includes targeting previously “undruggable” mutations, such as KRAS variants, with innovative small molecules and therapeutic cancer vaccines. Artificial intelligence is being utilized to analyze complex datasets, identify novel drug targets, and optimize treatment plans. It also plays a role in improving early detection through virtual biopsies and molecular profiling. Therapeutic vaccines are being designed to stimulate the immune system against specific cancer antigens are gaining traction. These vaccines could complement existing treatments and provide long-term immunity. Research focuses on understanding and countering mechanisms of resistance to existing therapies, ensuring long-term effectiveness. Advances with liquid biopsies may hold the key to affordable screening and follow-up clinics, allowing us to modify treatment as treatment may become resistant. Advances in robotic-assisted surgery, augmented reality, and real-time imaging are enhancing the precision and safety of surgical interventions.
Our collection serves to highlight the importance of the collective effort that supports and enables comprehensive lung cancer care. From the very start of the patients’ journey, we include a review of the successes and challenges of lung cancer screening. We follow with a discussion of the role that functional positron emission tomography (PET) imaging has in the accurate identification and clarification of the identity of multiple pulmonary lesions (synchronous vs. intrapulmonary metastases) which is always a challenging proposition.
We then examine treatment approaches for lung cancer, specifically considering the special considerations for ground glass nodules; as well as offering a discussion of options for medically inoperable patients.
Finally, we close our tour of lung cancer care by highlighting the importance of optimizing our patients’ outcomes by applying enhanced recovery protocols, and of embracing the concepts of continuous quality improvement so we can strive to always evolve our practice for best outcomes.
These directions highlight the collaborative and innovative spirit driving cancer research forward. Efforts are being made to address disparities in cancer care by developing cost-effective treatments and improving access to cutting-edge therapies worldwide. Together, these advancements highlight the dynamic progress being made in lung cancer treatment. They underscore the importance of continued research, collaboration, and investment in cutting-edge therapies that not only extend lives but also enhance the overall experience of care.
Acknowledgments
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Footnote
Provenance and Peer Review: This article was commissioned by the editorial office, Current Challenges in Thoracic Surgery (CCTS), for the series “Comprehensive Lung Cancer Care: A Continuum”. The article did not undergo external peer review.
Funding: None.
Conflicts of Interest: Both authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at https://ccts.amegroups.com/article/view/10.21037/ccts-25-19/coif). The series “Comprehensive Lung Cancer Care: A Continuum” was commissioned by the editorial office without any funding or sponsorship. D.E.M. serves as an unpaid editorial board member of Current Challenges in Thoracic Surgery from December 2023 to December 2025 and served as the unpaid Guest Editor of the series. P.J.V. served as the unpaid Guest Editor of the series. The authors have no other conflicts of interest to declare.
Ethical Statement: The authors are accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.
Open Access Statement: This is an Open Access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0), which permits the non-commercial replication and distribution of the article with the strict proviso that no changes or edits are made and the original work is properly cited (including links to both the formal publication through the relevant DOI and the license). See: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/.
Cite this article as: Maziak DE, Villeneuve PJ. State of the art lung cancer care—innovations from diagnosis to treatment. Curr Chall Thorac Surg 2025;7:13.
