The World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC24), hosted in San Diego, USA, from Sept. 7 to 10, was a significant event for the global fight against lung and thoracic cancers. The conference was chaired by Sandip Patel (University of California, USA), Linda Martin (University of Virginia, USA), Narjust Florez (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, USA), and Fabio Ynoe de Moraes (Queen’s University, Canada).

Celebrating the 50 anniversary of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC), the conference brought together 6,000 delegates representing diverse disciplines in basic and clinical sciences.

Commemorating 50 Years of the IASLC

The conference paid tribute to IASLC’s 5 decades of dedication to combating lung cancer with a special plenary session titled “50 Years of IASLC: Advances in Thoracic Oncology Treatment & Research: Legacy of Impact, Future of Promise,” held on Tuesday, Sept. 10, from 5 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. The session provided attendees with a unique opportunity to reflect on the organization’s impact and the significant progress in lung cancer treatment and detection over the years.

Saturday, Sept. 7: Setting the Stage for Innovation

The conference started with events focusing on early diagnosis and multidisciplinary care:

• Pathfinding Clinically Useful Early Diagnostics from Bench to Bedside: A Hands-On Workshop (8 a.m. to 10 a.m.)

  • This workshop, led by a team of experts from the Early Detection Research Network, provided practical experience and insights into the development, validation, regulatory review, and clinical utility metrics of biomarkers for early cancer detection.
  • Attendees gained hands-on experience and access to tools (R scripts) for data manipulation, diagnostic test accuracy assessment, calibration, generalizability, and understanding regulatory requirements related to stability, robustness, and clinical utility endpoints.
  • Workshop faculties were Stephen Deppen (Vanderbilt University, USA), Yency Forero (Vanderbilt University, USA), Alex Kaizer (University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Colorado), Anna Baron (University of Colorado), Michael Nolan Kammer (Vanderbilt University, USA), and Karen Anderson (Arizona State University).

• 2024 IASLC CT Screening Symposium (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)

  • This symposium addressed the latest advancements and persistent challenges in CT screening for lung cancer.
  • Topics included global implementation strategies, the integration of mobile CT units, addressing equity in screening access, and exploring emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and novel biomarkers.
  • Symposium was managed by Annette Maree McWilliams (Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Australia), Chi-Fu Jeffrey Yang (Massachusetts General Hospital, Mass.), Stephen Lam (University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada), Kazuto Ashizawa (Nagasaki University, Japan), Witold Rzyman (University Clinical Centre Medical University of Gdańsk, Poland), Ella Kazerooni (University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich.), and Douglas Wood (Seattle, Wash.).

• Multidisciplinary Team and Challenging Real-World Treatment Decisions for Patients with Locally Advanced NSCLC (10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.)

  • This session emphasized the significance of a multidisciplinary approach in managing locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
  • Brought together perspectives from surgery, radiation oncology, medical oncology, and patient advocacy, the session aimed to equip attendees with a comprehensive understanding of treatment options and decision-making in real-world clinical settings.
  • Speakers were Brendon Stiles (Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, N.Y.), Balazs Halmos (Montefiore Medical Park, Bronx, N.Y.), Isabelle Opitz (University Hospital of Zürich, Switzerland), Nitin Ohri (Montefiore, N.Y.), Benjamin Levy (University of San Francisco, Calif.), Teresa D. Conneran, Andreas Rimner (University of Freiburg Loerrach, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany), Joachim Aerts (Erasmus MC Cancer Centre, Rotterdam, Netherlands), Cecilia Pompili (University of Hull, U.K.), Alessandro Mariani (University of São Paulo, Brazil), and Peter B. Illei (Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md.).

• Nurse & AHP + ITONF Workshop (12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.)

  • This workshop catered specifically to the needs of nurses, allied health professionals, and members of the International Thoracic Oncology Nursing Forum (ITONF) working in thoracic oncology.
  • Key topics were systemic cancer treatment interactions and managing comorbidities, pain management strategies, holistic supportive care in thoracic oncology, and an introduction to qualitative research methods in the field.
  • Speakers were Caitlin Broderick (WA Cancer and Palliative Care Network), Mary Duffy (Peter Mac Callum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia), and Michelle Turner (Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore, Md.).

• Persuasive Communication (3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

  • The workshop on the importance of effective communication equipped healthcare professionals and researchers with strategies to raise awareness about lung cancer. It also advocated for increased research funding and patient support.
  • Dr. Castro guided participants in effectively disseminating scientific information to diverse audiences.
  • Annabelle Gurwitch and Monica Castro (Patient Advocates) led a practical session focused on leveraging media platforms to advocate for lung cancer research and support.

• Social Media & Communications Workshop (3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.)

  • The workshop focused on using social media platforms and communication skills to advance advocacy and research efforts in lung cancer.
  • Participants gained practical skills in crafting compelling messages, engaging with online communities, and using social media for advocacy and outreach.
  • Speakers were Matthew Smeltzer (The University of Memphis, Tenn.), Aakash Desai (University of Alabama at Birmingham, Ala.), Estelamari Rodriguez (University of Miami Health System, Miami, Fla.), Karen Reckamp (Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, Calif.), Noemí Reguart (Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Spain), Ana Velazquez Manana (UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, Calif.), Dusty Donaldson (Dusty Joy Foundation, North Carolina), and Charu Aggarwal (University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Penn.)

• Early Career Investigator Workshop (8:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.)

  • The workshop offered guidance and support to early career professionals in the field of thoracic oncology, providing practical advice on navigating the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
  • Topics were:
    • Overcoming challenges as a young investigator: Pablo Munoz Schuffenegger (Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile) provided interesting insights to young investigators.
    • Addressing time management strategies: This session, led by Sun Min Lim (Yonsei Cancer Center, South Korea), offered guidance on balancing clinical and research responsibilities.

• Successful IASLC Grant Application (1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.)

  • The workshop provided valuable insights into the IASLC grant application process, offered guidance on crafting successful proposals, and how to increase the likelihood of securing funding for research.
  • Lei Deng (University of Washington, Seattle, Wash.), Tindara Franchina (Università degli Studi di Messina, Messina, Italy), Rachael Helen Dodd (The University of Sydney, Australia), Balazs Halmos, Jose Carlos Benítez (Institut de Cancérologie Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France), Abdul Rafeh Naqash (University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Okla.) Qing Zhou (University of California, Los Angeles, Calif.), Masaoki Ito (Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan), Triparna Sen (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, N.Y.), Lyudmila Bazhenova (University of California, San Diego, Calif.), Luiz Henrique de Lima Araújo (DASA, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), Kenneth John O’Byrne (Icon Cancer Centre Greenslopes, Australia), and Christina Baik (University of Washington, Seattle, Wash.)

• LATAM Workshop: Challenges and Future of Lung Cancer in Latin America (12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.)

  • The workshop addressed the unique challenges and advancements in lung cancer care within Latin America.
  • Discussions revolved around:
    • Access to minimally invasive surgery and biomarker testing.
    • Radiation oncology infrastructure and resources.
    • The availability of targeted therapies and immunotherapy.
    • Research and development initiatives specific to lung cancer in Latin America.
  • Carlos Gil Ferreir (Brazilian National Cancer Institute, Brazil), Rossana Ruiz, Peru (Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplásicas, in Lima, Peru), Clarissa Baldotto (Clinica Research, Instituto D’Or for Research and Education, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), Gustavo Schvartsman (Albert Einstein Israelite Hospital, São Paulo, Brazil), and Claudio Martín (Instituto Privado de Oncología | Alexander Fleming Buenos Aires, Argentina).

Sunday, Sept. 8: Global Perspectives and Precision Oncology

Sunday’s program at WCLC 2024 shifted the focus toward fostering global collaboration and exploring advancements in precision oncology.

• Joint IASLC-CSCO-CAALC Session: Prevention and Evidence-Based Medicine: The Past and Future for Lung Cancer Globally (10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.)

  • The session promoted international collaboration by bringing together experts from the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO), the Chinese Association of Asian Clinical Oncology (CAALC), and IASLC to discuss advancements and future directions in lung cancer prevention and treatment strategies.
  • The session was chaired by Chunxue Bai (Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China), Karen Kelly (University of California, San Diego, Calif.), Yi-Long Wu (Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangzhou, China), and Caicun Zhou (Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Shanghai, China).

• Genomics for Oncologists: An Interactive Workshop (10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.)

  • This interactive workshop provided oncologists with practical training on integrating genomic testing into patient care.
  • Co-chairs were Ramaswamy Govindan (Washington University in St. Louis, Mo.) and Richard Haspel (Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Mass.).

• Patient Advocates Role: Overcoming Access Barriers (2:00 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.)

  • This session provided a platform for patient advocates to discuss strategies for addressing barriers in lung cancer care, advocating for increased access to treatment, and improving support services for patients and their families.
  • The session was chaired by Upal Basu Roy (LUNGevity Foundation, Chicago, Ill.) and Lillian Leigh (IASLC Sydney, New South Wales, Australia).

• Poster Presentations and Networking

  • The conference featured dedicated poster sessions and showcased various research findings. These sessions provided opportunities for in-depth discussions between presenters and attendees.
  • Presenters were Hai-Yan Tu (Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, China), Zeliang Ma (Peking Union Medical College, China), Yongsheng Wang (Chengdu University, China), Jie Huang, Yao-Bin Lin (Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, China), Lina Chen, Fang Wu, Yaping Xu, Fang-Liang Lu, Qing Zhou, and Lifeng Wang.

Monday, Sept. 9: Exploring Cutting-Edge Treatments and Global Health

Monday’s program at WCLC 2024 continued the exploration of innovative treatment modalities, with a focus on targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and global health considerations:

• AABIP-IASLC Session on Peripheral Lung Cancer Therapeutics (10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.)

  • This session focused on the latest therapeutic approaches for peripheral lung cancer that showcased advancements in various treatment modalities, including:
    • Bronchoscopic therapy
    • Image-guided ablation
    • Radiation therapy
    • Surgical techniques
    • Emerging systemic therapies.
  • Speakers were Antoni Rosell (Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Spain), Robert Suh (Westwood Imaging Center & Interventional Radiology Clinic, Los Angeles, Calif.), James Urbanic (UC San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, Calif.), Junichi Soh (Osaka Metropolitan University, Japan), Marina Chiara Garassino (University of Chicago, Chicago, Ill.), George Cheng (University of California, San Diego, Calif.), Septimiu Murgu (UChicago Medicine Duchossois Center for Advanced Medicine Hyde Park, Chicago, Ill.), Keriann Van Nostrand, Tampa, Fla.).

• Navigating the Emotional Aftermath of Challenging Patient Outcomes (10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.)

  • This session highlighted the critical importance of addressing the emotional and psychological well-being of healthcare professionals working with patients with lung cancer, particularly after experiencing challenging patient outcomes.
  • The session was led by Mark Lewis (INCA, Boston, Mass.) and Michael Maddaus (Physician Life Coach, Minneapolis, Minn.). They shared their insights and experiences.

• Global Aspects of Access to Precision Oncology (3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.)

  • This session addressed the challenges and opportunities in ensuring equitable access to the latest advancements in precision oncology for patients worldwide.
  • Discussions covered the varying costs and regulatory landscapes associated with novel lung cancer treatments in different regions of the world and highlighted the need for collaborative efforts to address disparities in access to care.
  • Speakers were Verna Vanderpuye (National Center for Radiotherapy, Oncology, and Nuclear Medicine, Accra, Ghana), Pedro Aguiar Jr. (Instituto Oncoclínicas, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), Abhishek Shankar (AIIMS, Delhi, India), Emmanuella Nwachukwu (National Hospital Abuja, Nigeria), Luiz Araújo (Brazilian National Cancer Institute & Dasa Oncologia, Brazil), Thanyanan Baisamut (Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand), Riyaz Shah (Maidstone, UK.), and Valeria Denninghoff (Argentina).

Tuesday, Sept. 10: Late-breaking Research and Patient Advocacy Take Center Stage

The final day of WCLC 2024 focused on disseminating late-breaking research findings; the day shared updates on key clinical trials and amplified the voices of patient advocates.

• Late-breaking Research and Clinical Trial Updates

  • The day featured presentations on the latest research discoveries and updates from significant clinical trials, offering attendees the most up-to-date information to guide their practice and research efforts.
  • Dedicated sessions focused on:

• Transforming Cancer Therapy: Biomarkers and Novel ADCs

This session explored the latest advancements in biomarker research and the development of novel antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for targeted lung cancer therapy.

Speakers were Mihaela Aldea (Institut de Cancérologie Gustave Roussy, France), Isabel Preeshagul (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Montvale, N.J.), Hidehito Horinouchi (NCC, Japan), Anwen Xiong (Tongji University, Shanghai, China), James C-H Yang (National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan), and Federico Cappuzzo (AUSL della Romagna-Ravenna, Italy).

• Updates on Lung Cancer Pathology 2024

This session covered the most recent updates in lung cancer pathology, including advancements in diagnostic techniques, molecular profiling, and the identification of new therapeutic targets.

Speakers were Paul Hofman (University Côte d’Azur, Nice, France) and Tricia Cottrell (Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, Md.), Yuko Minami (Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan), Fabio Tavoro (Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Brazil), Annikka Weissferdt (MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas), and Mauro Papotti (University of Turin, Italy).

• Patient Advocacy and the Future of Lung Cancer Care

Building upon the conversations held throughout the conference, Tuesday’s sessions further highlighted the crucial role of patient advocacy in shaping the future of lung cancer care.

• Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges: Advancing Patient Advocacy Worldwide (3:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.)

  • This closing plenary session featured a dynamic panel discussion with prominent patient advocates, including Yvonne Diaz (University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Fla.), Caleb Egwuenu (IKCC, Netherlands), Lillian Leigh (Advisory Council of Cancer Australia), and Shani Shilo (IASLC).
  • The session explored strategies for overcoming barriers to effective patient advocacy, enhancing patient-physician partnerships, and amplifying the voices of patients in lung cancer care.

Industry Presence, CME Opportunities, and Networking Events

Beyond the formal scientific program, WCLC 2024 offered several valuable opportunities for attendees:

• Industry Presence

  • Leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies like Innate Pharma, AstraZeneca, Amgen, Roche Diagnostics, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Pfizer Oncology, Abbvie, and others had a significant presence at WCLC 2024. They offered attendees insights into the latest therapeutic advancements and hosted industry-sponsored symposia.
  • These symposia provided a platform for focused discussions on specific treatment approaches and their impact on patient care.

• Continuing Medical Education (CME) Credits

WCLC 2024 offered attendees ample opportunities for continuing medical education (CME) credits and professional development.

• Networking Events

  • At WCLC 2024, attendees got an opportunity to connect with colleagues, renowned speakers, and industry representatives during poster sessions, receptions, and dedicated networking events, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange.
  • The conference also offered a dedicated virtual platform, providing access to session recordings, presentation slides, abstracts, and networking features, ensuring a comprehensive and engaging experience for both in-person and virtual attendees.

Research Insights

• Phase 3 Study of Ivonescimab (AK112) vs. Pembrolizumab as First-line Treatment for PD-L1-positive Advanced NSCLC: Primary Analysis of HARMONi-2
• Perioperative vs Neoadjuvant Nivolumab for Resectable NSCLC: Patient-Level Data Analysis of CheckMate 77T vs CheckMate 816
• Normalized Membrane Ratio of TROP2 by Quantitative Continuous Scoring is predictive of Clinical Outcomes in TROPION-Lung 01
• Neocoast-2: Efficacy and Safety of Neoadjuvant Durvalumab (D) + Novel Anticancer Agents + CT and Adjuvant D ± Novel Agents in Resectable NSCLC
• Amivantamab Plus Lazertinib vs Osimertinib in First-line EGFR-mutant Advanced NSCLC: Longer Follow-up of the MARIPOSA Study
• Ifinatamab Deruxtecan (I-DXd) in Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer (ES-SCLC): Interim Analysis of Ideate-lung01
• Lazertinib vs Osimertinib in 1L EGFR-Mutant Advanced NSCLC: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Exploratory Analysis from MARIPOSA
• Tarlatamab with a PD-L1 Inhibitor as First-Line Maintenance after Chemo-immunotherapy for ES-SCLC: DeLLphi-303 Phase 1b Study
• Tusamitamab Ravtansine vs Docetaxel in Previously Treated Advanced Nonsquamous NSCLC: Results from Phase 3 CARMEN-LC03 Trial
• SAFFRON-301: Tislelizumab Plus Sitravatinib in Advanced/Metastatic NSCLC Progressing on/after Chemotherapy and Anti-PD-(L)1

Press Conference Highlights

The WCLC 2024 press conferences provided valuable insights into groundbreaking research, innovative treatment approaches, and milestones in thoracic oncology. Below are the links to each day’s press conference, offering highlights and in-depth discussions on key topics:

• Day 1 Press Conference
• Day 2 Press Conference
• Day 3 Press Conference
• Day 4 Press Conference

WCLC 2025: Continuing the Legacy in Barcelona

As WCLC 2024 concluded, attendees were encouraged to look ahead to the next edition of this conference, scheduled to take place in Barcelona, Spain, from Sept. 6 to 9, 2025.

WCLC 2025 will be chaired by Umberto Malapelle (University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy), Jarushka Naidoo (RCSI Cancer Centre, Dublin, Ireland), Noemi Reguart (Hospital Clinic Barcelona, Spain), and Isabelle Schmitt-Opitz (University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland).

WCLC reaffirms its position as a must-attend event for everyone involved in the fight against lung cancer, committed to advancing lung cancer research, improving patient care, and ultimately conquering this global health challenge.

Meeting Summary:

https://soundcloud.com/lungcancerconsidered/live-from-wclc-2024-meeting-summary?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing