In the Pipeline and Under Study

Lung cancer continues to be the number one cancer killer, claiming more lives than breast, colon and prostate cancers combined. Outcomes for standard lung cancer treatment remain poor, making participation in clinical research studies a viable treatment choice.

The robust research program at Roswell Park — with more than 20 protocols underway for both high-risk individuals and lung cancer patients — provides our patients with more options to maximize their survival.

Pioneering New Cancer Treatments

Roswell Park maintains one of the first Clinical Research Centers in the nation that focuses specifically on the development of new cancer treatments. The Center provides more treatment options for patients through clinical research studies, and makes it possible to expand our phase I program, which represents the first step toward FDA approval. The Clinical Research Center provides the highest level of patient safety and quickly generates precise data on potential new treatments. Our physicians, surgeons and scientists continually strive for new and better ways to fight lung cancer. Some highlights of our lung research include the discovery and study of:

• Agents for cancer prevention. Researchers have multiple ongoing studies for people at high risk for lung cancer, including new and existing agents that may prevent the progression of premalignant lesions to cancer.
• New surgical tactics. Surgeons are exploring such methods as the use of laser-light therapy (photodynamic therapy) during surgery and lung suffusion, wherein anticancer drugs are delivered only to the lung, minimizing the exposure of the rest of the body to potential toxicity.
• Novel radiation techniques. Targeting the tumor with unprecedented precision allows radiologists to deliver far higher and more effective radiation doses in fewer treatments and with decreased side effects.
• Targeted therapies. Testing new target-specific drugs and exploring ways to combine these with existing drug treatment are some of the ongoing research efforts that aim to personalize medicine for each patient, to maximize anticancer effect and quality of life while minimizing side effects.

Clinical Trials For Patients at All Cancer Stages

Clinical research studies are available to patients with all stages of lung cancer. Our dedication to this research is a hallmark of our mission to understand, prevent and cure cancer. Find available clinical research studies for lung cancer or call 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724).