LUNGevity Takes Step Forward in Clinical Trial Eligibility Reform for Lung Cancer Patients

[LaurenH]

LUNGevity Foundation, the nation’s leading lung cancer-focused nonprofit organization, is pleased to announce the publication of recommendations that will create more opportunities for patients to participate in potentially lifesaving clinical trials.  The Foundation’s manuscript “Making Lung Cancer Clinical Trials More Inclusive: Recommendations for Expanding Eligibility Criteria” appears in the current issue of the esteemed medical journal, the Journal of Thoracic Oncology (JTO). The article, which was co-authored by members of the Expanded Eligibility working group of the LUNGevity Scientific and Clinical Roundtable initiative, provides recommendations for expanding overly restrictive eligibility criteria in clinical trials.

Previously, the exclusions in eligibility criteria for clinical trials prevented as many as 50% of lung cancer patients from participating as part of trials. The Foundation’s recommendations, which include expanding criteria around brain metastases, history of previous malignancies, and reduced performance status, intend to enable more lung cancer patients to have access to innovative therapies.

“As a Foundation, we have been working with multiple stakeholders to create clinical trials that are effective and accessible to more patients,” Andrea Ferris, President and CEO of LUNGevity, says. “New options in lung cancer treatment are evolving rapidly, and patients need to be able to access them. The publication is a big step toward our goal of expanding clinical trial eligibility, and one that can potentially benefit a lot of lung cancer patients.”

Read the full press release.

[Steff]

Love, love love! Thank you Lungevity!!!

[Judy M.]

Thank you Lungevity!!! I'm on of those who would probably be rejected because of previous malignancies. Oncologist told me that when I ask about trials some time ago. 

Judy M.