Back to discover
Disease

Lung carcinoma

Late-stage therapeutic development
Also known as carcinoma of lung, carcinoma of the lung, cancer of lung, cancer of the lung+1 more

carcinoma of lung, carcinoma of the lung, cancer of lung, cancer of the lung, lung cancer, NOS.

18
Clinical trials
12
Associated genes
12
Related proteins
Current focus
Caspase-3 biologyCaspase-9 biologyTherapeutic development

What's happening now

An analyst briefing on current research, clinical, regulatory and industry activity surrounding this disease.

Executive briefingUpdating summary…Momentum: Low
Key developments
  • 1 clinical trial expected to report results, the earliest in Q3 2027.
Upcoming Milestones
Clinical Milestones5View
Results posted 2
Results expected 1
Recently completed 2
Activity timeline5

Therapeutic landscape

Therapies with a regulatory footing for this condition, alongside the wider set of agents co-studied with it in the literature.

Approved & established therapies
Serplulimabapproved

Approval — Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) Hetronifly in combination with carboplatin and etoposide is… (2025)

Paclitaxelapproved

Approval — Apexelsin monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer in adult… (2024)

Tislelizumabapproved

Approval — Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) Tevimbra, in combination with platinum-containing chem… (2023)

Tremelimumabapproved

Approval — Imjudo in combination with durvalumab is indicated for the first line treatment of a… (2023)

Trastuzumab deruxtecanapproved

Approval — Breast cancerHER2-positive breast cancerEnhertu as monotherapy is indicated for the treat… (2021)

Cemiplimabapproved

Approval — Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma Libtayo as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment… (2019)

Durvalumabapproved

Approval — Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)Imfinzi in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy… (2018)

Clinical trials

15 sponsors · 1 new · 2 completed in the last 12 months (net +1)

The current development programme across all trial phases.

Clinical programme
18
All trials
6
Active
17
Late-stage
6
Completed
Late-stage studies

A Phase III RCT Comparing Low Dose Immunotherapy (Nivolumab) Combined With Standard Chemotherapy vs Standard Chemotherapy as First-line Treatment in Patients With Locally Advanced or Metastatic NSCLC

Phase 3 · Recruiting · Dr Arvindran A/L Alaga

A Phase III, Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Multi-centre, Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Furmonertinib (AST2818) Versus Placebo, in Patients With Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutation Positive Stage II-IIIA Non-small Cell Lung Carcinoma, Following Complete Tumour Resection With or Without Adjuvant Chemotherapy

Phase 3 · Recruiting · Allist Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Phase III Clinical Study of AL8326 Tablets in Patients With Advanced or Recurrent Small Cell Lung Cancer After at Least Prior Second-line Treatment

Phase 3 · Recruiting · Advenchen Laboratories Nanjing Ltd.

A Phase III, Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Multi-centre, Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of AZD9291 Versus Placebo, in Patients With Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutation Positive Stage IB-IIIA Non-small Cell Lung Carcinoma, Following Complete Tumour Resection With or Without Adjuvant Chemotherapy (ADAURA).

Phase 3 · Active, not recruiting · AstraZeneca

A Phase III, Randomized, Double-blind, Multicenter Clinical Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of SCTB14 Versus Pembrolizumab as First-Line Therapy in Patients With Driver Gene-Negative, TPS ≥10% Locally Advanced or Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Phase 3 · Recruiting · Sinocelltech Ltd.

Evaluation of Platelet Aggregability in Patients with Non-small Cell Lung Carcinomas

Phase 2/3 · Active, not recruiting · University of Sao Paulo
Recruiting

A Phase III RCT Comparing Low Dose Immunotherapy (Nivolumab) Combined With Standard Chemotherapy vs Standard Chemotherapy as First-line Treatment in Patients With Locally Advanced or Metastatic NSCLC

Phase 3 · Recruiting · Dr Arvindran A/L Alaga

A Phase III, Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Multi-centre, Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Furmonertinib (AST2818) Versus Placebo, in Patients With Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutation Positive Stage II-IIIA Non-small Cell Lung Carcinoma, Following Complete Tumour Resection With or Without Adjuvant Chemotherapy

Phase 3 · Recruiting · Allist Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Phase III Clinical Study of AL8326 Tablets in Patients With Advanced or Recurrent Small Cell Lung Cancer After at Least Prior Second-line Treatment

Phase 3 · Recruiting · Advenchen Laboratories Nanjing Ltd.

A Phase III, Randomized, Double-blind, Multicenter Clinical Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of SCTB14 Versus Pembrolizumab as First-Line Therapy in Patients With Driver Gene-Negative, TPS ≥10% Locally Advanced or Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Phase 3 · Recruiting · Sinocelltech Ltd.
Recently completed

Efficacy and Safety of First-line Anti-PD-1/PD-L1 Monoclonal Antibody in Combination With Chemotherapy vs. Anti-PD-1/PD-L1 Monoclonal Antibody, Chemotherapy, in Combination With Bronchoscopy-assisted Interventional Therapy in the Treatment of Patients With Advanced Central Non-small Cell Lung Cancer, a Randomized Controlled, Prospective Clinical Trial

Phase 2/3 · Completed · Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Shanghai, China

A Prospective, Multicenter, Open-label, Phase IV, Interventional Study to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of Capmatinib in Indian Patients With Mesenchymalepithelial Transition (MET) Exon 14 Skipping Mutation Positive Advanced Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC).

Phase 4 · Completed · Novartis Pharmaceuticals

A Phase IIIB, Single Arm, Multicenter Study of Atezolizumab (Tecentriq) in Combination With Carboplatin Plus Etoposide to Investigate Safety and Efficacy in Patients With Untreated Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer - MAURIS

Phase 3 · Completed · Hoffmann-La Roche

Pembrolizumab for Metastatic Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Patients Expressing PD-L1 Who Have Their Own Patient-derived Xenograft (PDX): Comparative Study of Clinical Response and In-vivo Antitumor Response Using Their Humanized CD34 PDX (Hu-CD34 PDX)

Phase 4 · Completed · Samsung Medical Center

A Randomized Phase II/III Trial of Afatinib Plus Cetuximab Versus Afatinib Alone in Treatment-Naive Patients With Advanced, EGFR Mutation Positive Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

Phase 2/3 · Completed · SWOG Cancer Research Network

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Phase III Study of Platinum+Pemetrexed Chemotherapy With or Without Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) in First Line Metastatic Non-squamous Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Subjects (KEYNOTE-189)

Phase 3 · Completed · Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC

Regulatory timeline

Drug regulatory events matched to this condition by indication — EMA.

First approvals
2025emaApproval — Serplulimab· Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) Hetronifly in combination with carboplatin and etoposide is indicated for the first‑line treatment of adult patients with extensive‑stage small cell lung cancer (ES‑SCLC). Non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) Hetronifly in combination with carboplatin and pemetrexed is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult non-squamous NSCLC patients with no EGFR, ALK or ROS1 positive mutations and who have: locally advanced NSCLC who are not candidates for surgery or radiotherapy, or metastatic NSCLC. Oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) Hetronifly in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-based chemotherapy is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable, locally advanced, recurrent or metastatic oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma whose tumours express PD-L1 with a CPS ≥ 5. source ↗
2024emaApproval — Paclitaxel· Apexelsin monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer in adult patients who have failed first-line treatment for metastatic disease and for whom standard, anthracycline containing therapy is not indicated. Apexelsin in combination with gemcitabine is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. Apexelsin in combination with carboplatin is indicated for the first-line treatment of non-small cell lung cancer in adult patients who are not candidates for potentially curative surgery and/or radiation therapy. source ↗
2024emaApproval — Paclitaxel· Naveruclif monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer in adult patients who have failed first-line treatment for metastatic disease and for whom standard, anthracycline containing therapy is not indicated (see section 4.4). Naveruclif in combination with gemcitabine is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. Naveruclif in combination with carboplatin is indicated for the first-line treatment of non-small cell lung cancer in adult patients who are not candidates for potentially curative surgery and/or radiation therapy. source ↗
2023emaApproval — Tislelizumab· Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) Tevimbra, in combination with platinum-containing chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment and then continued as monotherapy as adjuvant treatment, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with resectable NSCLC at high risk of recurrence (for selection criteria, see section 5.1).Tevimbra in combination with pemetrexed and platinum containing chemotherapy is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with non-squamous NSCLC  whose tumours have PD-L1 expression on ≥50% of tumour cells with no EGFR or ALK positive mutations and who have: locally advanced NSCLC and are not candidates for surgical resection or platinum-based chemoradiation, or metastatic NSCLC. Tevimbra in combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or nab-paclitaxel is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with squamous NSCLC who have: locally advanced NSCLC and are not candidates for surgical resection or platinum-based chemoradiation, or metastatic NSCLC. Tevimbra as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC after prior platinum-based therapy. Patients with EGFR mutant or ALK positive NSCLC should also have received targeted therapies before receiving tislelizumab. Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)Tevimbra, in combination with etoposide and platinum chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with extensive-stage SCLC. Gastric or gastroesophageal junction (G/GEJ) adenocarcinomaTevimbra, in combination with platinum and fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with HER-2-negative locally advanced unresectable or metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction (G/GEJ) adenocarcinoma whose tumours express PD L1 with a tumour area positivity (TAP) score ≥ 5% (see section 5.1).Oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC)Tevimbra, in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic OSCC whose tumours express PD L1 with a TAP score ≥ 5% (see section 5.1).Tevimbra as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic OSCC after prior platinum-based chemotherapy. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC)Tevimbra, in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with recurrent, not amenable to curative surgery or radiotherapy, or metastatic NPC. source ↗
2023emaApproval — Tremelimumab· Imjudo in combination with durvalumab is indicated for the first line treatment of adults with advanced or unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Imjudo in combination with durvalumab and platinum-based chemotherapy is indicated for the first-line treatment of adults with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with no sensitising EGFR mutations or ALK positive mutations. source ↗
2021emaApproval — Trastuzumab deruxtecan· Breast cancerHER2-positive breast cancerEnhertu as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who have received one or more prior anti-HER2-based regimens.HER2-low and HER2-ultralow breast cancerEnhertu as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic  hormone receptor (HR)-positive, HER2-low or HER2-ultralow breast cancer who have received at least one endocrine therapy in the metastatic setting and who are not considered suitable for endocrine therapy as the next line of treatment (see sections 4.2 and 5.1). HER2-low breast cancer who have received prior chemotherapy in the metastatic setting or developed disease recurrence during or within 6 months of completing adjuvant chemotherapy (see section 4.2). Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)Enhertu as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced NSCLC whose tumours have an activating HER2 (ERBB2) mutation and who require systemic therapy following platinum-based chemotherapy with or without immunotherapy.Gastric cancer Enhertu as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma who have received a prior trastuzumab-based regimen. source ↗
2019emaApproval — Cemiplimab· Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma Libtayo as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic or locally advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (mCSCC or laCSCC) who are not candidates for curative surgery or curative radiation. Libtayo as monotherapy is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with CSCC at high risk of recurrence after surgery and radiation (see section 5.1 for selection criteria).  Basal Cell Carcinoma Libtayo as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic basal cell carcinoma (laBCC or mBCC) who have progressed on or are intolerant to a hedgehog pathway inhibitor (HHI). Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Libtayo as monotherapy is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) expressing PD-L1 (in ? 50% tumour cells), with no EGFR, ALK or ROS1 aberrations, who have: locally advanced NSCLC who are not candidates for definitive chemoradiation, or metastatic NSCLC. Libtayo in combination with platinum?based chemotherapy is indicated for the first?line treatment of adult patients with NSCLC expressing PD-L1 (in ? 1% of tumour cells), with no EGFR, ALK or ROS1 aberrations, who have: locally advanced NSCLC who are not candidates for definitive chemoradiation, or metastatic NSCLC. Cervical Cancer Libtayo as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer and disease progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. source ↗
2018emaApproval — Durvalumab· Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)Imfinzi in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, followed by Imfinzi as monotherapy as adjuvant treatment, is indicated for the treatment of adults with resectable NSCLC at high risk of recurrence and no EGFR mutations or ALK rearrangements (for selection criteria, see section 5.1). Imfinzi as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of locally advanced, unresectable non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in adults whose tumours express PD-L1 on ≥ 1% of tumour cells and whose disease has not progressed following platinum based chemoradiation therapy (see section 5.1).Imfinzi in combination with tremelimumab and platinum-based chemotherapy is indicated for the first-line treatment of adults with metastatic NSCLC with no sensitising EGFR mutations or ALK positive mutations. Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)Imfinzi in combination with etoposide and either carboplatin or cisplatin is indicated for the first-line treatment of adults with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). Biliary Tract Cancer (BTC)Imfinzi in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin is indicated for the first line treatment of adults with unresectable or metastatic biliary tract cancer (BTC). Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)Imfinzi as monotherapy is indicated for the first line treatment of adults with advanced or unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).  Imfinzi in combination with tremelimumab is indicated for the first line treatment of adults with advanced or unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Endometrial Cancer Imfinzi in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel is indicated for the first-line treatment of adults with primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer who are candidates for systemic therapy, followed by maintenance treatment with: - Imfinzi as monotherapy in endometrial cancer that is mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) - Imfinzi in combination with olaparib in endometrial cancer that is mismatch repair proficient (pMMR). Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer (MIBC) Imfinzi in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin as neoadjuvant treatment, followed by Imfinzi as monotherapy adjuvant treatment after radical cystectomy, is indicated for the treatment of adults with resectable muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Gastric or Gastro-oesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma (GC/GEJC) Imfinzi in combination with FLOT chemotherapy as neoadjuvant and adjuvant treatment, followed by adjuvant Imfinzi monotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of adults with resectable gastric or gastro‑oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. source ↗
Safety updates
2021emaMarket withdrawal — Bevacizumab· Treatment of carcinoma of the colon or rectum, breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, renal cell cancer, epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer, and carcinoma of the cervix. source ↗

European Medicines Agency (CC BY 4.0). Events are matched to this condition by drug indication text — approvals/updates for drugs indicated for it, not disease-specific acts.

Associated genes

12 matches

Genes associated with this disease in the canonical knowledge graph (Open Targets evidence). Number shows the association score.

CHRNA50.50SLC67A10.46POT10.46ROS10.45CLPTM1L0.43RICTOR0.42FUBP10.41XPC0.40HGF0.40NFE2L20.40POU5F10.40KEAP10.40

Disease biology

12 matches

Proteins whose encoding gene is associated with this disease, reached through the canonical gene→disease graph. Number shows the gene's association score.

Proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase ROSvia ROS10.45Hepatocyte growth factorvia HGF0.40Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2via NFE2L20.40Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1via KEAP10.40RAC-beta serine/threonine-protein kinasevia AKT20.39Echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4via EML40.39B-cell lymphoma 6 proteinvia BCL60.39Serine/threonine-protein kinase ATRvia ATR0.39Caspase-3via CASP30.21Tyrosine-protein phosphatase non-receptor type 6via PTPN60.20Caspase-9via CASP90.19Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2via ACE20.13

Reference

Authoritative identity, definition & identifiers.

Synonyms

carcinoma of lung, carcinoma of the lung, cancer of lung, cancer of the lung, lung cancer, NOS

References & data sources
  • Disease identity & definition — NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), public domain
  • Clinical trials — ClinicalTrials.gov (U.S. National Library of Medicine)
  • Related entities are derived from literature co-mention (studied together) — associative, not causal.