BTOG 2022 | Circulating biomarkers for early-stage lung cancer

The National Lung Screening Trial (NLST, NCT00047385) and NELSON trial (ISRCTN63545820) have demonstrated the efficacy of low dose computed tomography (CT) scans in early detection of lung cancer but widespread rollout of CT scans have been limited. Frank McCaughan, MRCP(UK), MD, PhD, FRCP, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK, discusses the role of circulating biomarkers in screening early-stage lung cancer. Blood tests screening for circulating biomarkers are easier to implement but may not be as effective in early lung cancer, as demonstrated in the AIR study (NCT02500693). Alternative techniques and technologies such as detecting methylated tumor DNA and machine learning may lead to more sensitive screening. This interview took place at the 20th Annual British Thoracic Oncology Group (BTOG) Conference 2022.