DENVER, July 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) encourages all those involved in molecular testing of lung cancer patients to participate in a global survey designed to assess the implementation of best practices and ultimately develop worldwide guidelines for molecular testing. To take the IASLC Global Survey on Molecular Testing in Lung Cancer, please visit www.iaslc.org/survey.
“The pace of scientific advances in lung cancer is extremely rapid,” said Fred R. Hirsch, MD, PhD, and CEO of the IASLC. Dr. Hirsch also noted that, “Ensuring that patient care follows scientific advances necessitates an understanding of the implementation and barriers to adopting new treatments. The IASLC is uniquely poised to collect that data, harnessing and disseminating it to change patient outcomes.”
Numerous guidelines recommend testing for oncogenic molecular drivers such as EGFR, ROS1, ALK and BRAF in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with an adenocarcinoma histology component. Therapies targeting these specific oncogenic molecular drivers can add years of quality life for these patients, but the knowledge of driver presence is required before therapy can be initiated.
Expert participation in this survey is critical to understanding the current status of molecular testing in lung cancer as well as any regional challenges and barriers to implementation, including why not all regions participate in molecular testing. The IASLC invites health care professionals and other interested parties to take this survey. The survey is available in English, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese and Spanish.
Results of the IASLC Global Survey on Molecular Testing in Lung Cancer will 1) determine the current status of molecular testing, 2) reveal any regional challenges or barriers to implementation, and 3) inform future strategies to overcome barriers to molecular testing in lung cancer patients worldwide. A summary of the key findings will be shared with respondents and a full report will be submitted to the Journal of Thoracic Oncology, the official journal of the IASLC, for publication. Respondents will be entered into a drawing to win free registration to an upcoming IASLC World Conference on Lung Cancer.
Given the pace of advances in thoracic oncology, collecting and distributing up-to-date information is critical to improving outcomes worldwide. The IASLC is committed to serving as a global resource for all involved in lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide.
AstraZeneca has provided a sponsorship grant toward this independent program.
About the IASLC
The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) is the only global organization dedicated solely to the study of lung cancer and other thoracic malignancies. Founded in 1974, the association's membership includes more than 7,500 lung cancer specialists across all disciplines in over 100 countries, forming a global network working together to conquer lung and thoracic cancers worldwide. The association also publishes the Journal of Thoracic Oncology, the primary educational and informational publication for topics relevant to the prevention, detection, diagnosis and treatment of all thoracic malignancies. Visit www.iaslc.org for more information.
Contact: Becky Bunn, MSc
IASLC Public Relations Manager
Becky.Bunn@IASLC.org | 720-325-2946