BIOL1010 - Lung Cancer: Concepts, Research, and Future Presentation

This presentation provides a comprehensive overview of lung cancer, starting with its basic concepts, including definition, types (non-small cell and small cell), and epidemiology. It delves into the risk factors associated with the disease, such as smoking, exposure to secondhand smoke, and occupational hazards, alongside a discussion of common signs and symptoms like chest pain, bloody sputum, and weight loss. The presentation traces the historical development of lung cancer research, from its identification in the 1700s to the advent of screening tests and chemotherapy in the mid-20th century, and it also highlights current research areas, including the application of immunotherapy, biomarker studies, and the exploration of novel treatments like metformin and antibody drug conjugates. Furthermore, the presentation addresses the social implications of cancer research, such as patient privacy and informed consent, and it concludes by exploring potential future research directions, including robot-assisted surgery and combination therapies, as well as quiz questions.

Lung Cancer

Basic Concepts
• The basic concepts that has to be learned to
understand about its conditions are-
• What is lung cancer?
• Types of lung cancer
• The types of lung cancer.
• The epidemiology
• The risk factors

What is lung Cancer?
• Lung cancer is a malignant
lung tumor that is
characterized by uncontrolled
cell growth in the lung
tissues.
• Types of lung cancer-
• Non-small cell lung cancer
• Small cell lung cancer
• Lung metastasis

Epidemiology
(Canadian cancer society, 2017).

Risk factors
• Some of the risk factors associated with lung
cancer are cigarette smoking.
• Exposure to second hand smoke.
• Occupational exposures such as (Asbestos,
motor vehicle pollutants and emissions)
• Less intake of Beta carotene
• Radiations

Signs and Symptoms
• Chest pain
• Bloody sputum
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Unknown fever

Historical development
• Lung cancer was not identified as a disease until 1700
• In 1810, the various features of the lung cancer was
identified
• The screening tests for lung cancer began in 1950s with
annual chest x-rays or sputum cytology (Canadian cancer
society, 2017).
• In 1949 Nitrogen mustard (mechlorethamine) becomes
the first chemotherapy approved by the FDA.
• Discovery of the interferon in treating cancer in mice
• Introduction of radiotherapy in the year 1960

Current research
Noteworthy researches for screening lung cancer
early-
• Finding a low cost tool for predicting whether
the smoker has a high risk of developing lung
cancer
• Testing of the urine, blood and sputum or
exhaled breath

Current researches
Noteworthy researches for the diagnosis and the
prognosis of the lung cancer
• Endobronchial ultrasound biopsy
• Biomarkers
• Testing of the several tumor markers at the
same time

Current researches
• Positive pleural lavage cytology (presence of cancer cells
in the washings from the lining of the lung and rib cage)
• Researches about Metformin (antidiabetic drug)
• Immunotherapy
• Radiation therapies like proton beam radiation therapy,
image –guided radiation therapy and dose-escalation
therapy
Computed tomography guided
fine needle aspiration cytology
Immunotherapy

Social implications of cancer research
The social implication may consist of:-
• Use of the human specimens
• Potential rights and the welfare of the human
participants.
• Privacy and confidentiality of the patient
information
• Informed consent
• Storage of the information for future researches

Future researches
• Robot assisted surgery
• Combination of both
immunotherapy and
Chemotherapy.
• Use of the monoclonal
antibodies
Robot assisted surgery

Future researches
• Antibody drug conjugates
• Cell cycle checkpoint inhibitors
• Development of appetite enhancing drugs

Quiz questions
• What is lung cancer? State some of the
common symptoms ?
• Name some promising fields of research in
lung cancer treatment?

References
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• Canadian cancer society. (2017). Research in lung cancer. Access date: 1.12.2018. Retrieved from:
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