Improving Lung Cancer Survival: The Impact of the PROSPECT-Lung Trial

The PROSPECT-Lung clinical trial, led by Raid Aljumaily, M.D., a hematologist-oncologist at OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, and associate professor at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, is set to revolutionize the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. This trial, the first from the National Cancer Institute’s Clinical Trials Innovation Unit (CTIU), aims to determine the best timing for immunotherapy in patients with operable lung cancer.

Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths, and non-small cell lung cancer is the most common type. Oklahoma, in particular, faces high lung cancer rates and low survival rates. Traditionally, early-stage lung cancer treatment involved surgery followed by chemotherapy, which only slightly reduced the chance of the cancer coming back by 5%. Recent research shows that adding immunotherapy can significantly lower the chances of cancer returning by 40%.

The trial will compare two treatment plans: one where patients receive chemotherapy and immunotherapy before surgery, and another where surgery is followed by chemotherapy and immunotherapy. This comparison will help identify which approach offers better outcomes and fewer complications.

The PROSPECT-Lung trial could lead to more effective lung cancer treatments, improving survival rates and quality of life for patients. This trial is unique because it reflects real-world treatment decisions and aims to generate practical, applicable evidence quickly. By involving 1,100 patients across the United States, including OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, the PROSPECT-Lung trial supports the clinical, research, and educational missions of OU Health and the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine.

Read more from the University of Oklahoma about the PROSPECT-Lung clinical trial.

OU Faculty Member Co-Leading Innovative National Trial to Advance Lung Cancer Treatment