Roy S. Herbst, MD, PhD
When we last gathered for the International Lung Cancer Congress® in late July 2017, I couldn’t help being be inspired by the dedication to patient care I observed. In a field as fast paced and complicated as lung cancer, staying current on the latest breakthroughs and standards can extend and even save patients’ lives.
The year 2017 was markedly busy when it came to practice-changing research. We saw the approval of osimertinib for EGFR-mutated lung cancer, ceritinib and alectinib approved for ALK-rearranged disease, the novel combination of dabrafenib and trametinib greenlit in BRAFmutated lung cancer, and the emergence of checkpoint inhibitor/chemotherapy combination therapies—to highlight just a few.
With each new approval and every new agent come a multitude of data to decipher, recommendations to incorporate, patients to consider, and practice changes to make. Now, at this year’s International Lung Cancer Congress®, it’s time for us to gather once again and take the next step toward improving lung cancer care.
At this year’s Congress, our 19th, experts and clinicians from around the world will provide perspectives on the latest data in targeted therapy, immunotherapy, surgical and radiation oncology. Just as no two lung cancers patients are the same, this Congress recognizes that no two learners are the same. With you in mind, we focus on providing multiple engaging formats, from lectures to tumor boards, to roundtable discussions, and audience led debates. No matter your practice, you’ll walk away from this Congress prepared to implement the latest in lung cancer care. Join us during the last weekend in July, and use what you’ve learned the next week in clinic.
I hope to see you in California! Until then, let’s continue to provide the best cancer care for our patients.
Sincerely,
Roy S. Herbst, MD, PhD