Cigarette smoke may prime lung stem cells for different types of lung cancer, Hopkins study finds

As USPSTF falters, the idea that “screening is always good” is gaining traction

With the pope’s lung cancer diagnosis jumpstarting conversations about lung cancer screening and the constant buzz surrounding multi-cancer detection tests, evidence-based evaluation of screening tests is more important than ever.

October 21, 2026

News Analysis

The lung cancer diagnosis of Pope Leo—believed to be a never-smoker—sparks conversations around screening
“Even when the patient is the pope, advances in cancer treatment don’t arrive by divine intervention.”

Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma. According to missives from the Holy See, the pope underwent surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung Oct. 13.

FDA seeks nominations for the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee, announces new members

FDA is requesting nominations by Dec. 14 for voting members to serve on the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee.

October 16, 2026

Vol.52 No.38

Clinical Roundup

Lung cancers can use two different mechanisms to evade KRAS-inhibiting drug, MIT researchers find

About 25% of lung adenocarcinomas have mutations of the gene KRAS, which drives uncontrolled cell growth. In recent years, FDA has approved two KRAS inhibitors to treat patients with specific KRAS mutations. While these drugs can work well initially, tumors almost always develop resistance to them.

October 02, 2026

Vol.52 No.36

Clinical Roundup

Johns Hopkins investigators identify a metabolic weak point in exhausted immune cells in head and neck cancer

Immune cells can reach head and neck tumors, but once there, many stop functioning. This helps explain why immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors—which have transformed treatment for some cancers—benefit only 17% to 23% of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

October 02, 2026

Vol.52 No.36

Perspective

When did stage 3B lung cancer become “early stage”?

My recent column about Merck’s television commercial for perioperative Keytruda left me with a question I could not shake.

September 25, 2026

Vol.52 No.35

By Raja M. Flores

Cigarette smoke may prime lung stem cells for different types of lung cancer, Hopkins study finds

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN

As USPSTF falters, the idea that “screening is always good” is gaining traction

The lung cancer diagnosis of Pope Leo—believed to be a never-smoker—sparks conversations around screening
“Even when the patient is the pope, advances in cancer treatment don’t arrive by divine intervention.”

FDA seeks nominations for the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee, announces new members

Lung cancers can use two different mechanisms to evade KRAS-inhibiting drug, MIT researchers find

Johns Hopkins investigators identify a metabolic weak point in exhausted immune cells in head and neck cancer

When did stage 3B lung cancer become “early stage”?

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Cigarette smoke may prime lung stem cells for different types of lung cancer, Hopkins study finds

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN

As USPSTF falters, the idea that “screening is always good” is gaining traction

The lung cancer diagnosis of Pope Leo—believed to be a never-smoker—sparks conversations around screening“Even when the patient is the pope, advances in cancer treatment don’t arrive by divine intervention.”

FDA seeks nominations for the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee, announces new members

Lung cancers can use two different mechanisms to evade KRAS-inhibiting drug, MIT researchers find

Johns Hopkins investigators identify a metabolic weak point in exhausted immune cells in head and neck cancer

When did stage 3B lung cancer become “early stage”?

Never miss an issue!

Login

The lung cancer diagnosis of Pope Leo—believed to be a never-smoker—sparks conversations around screening
“Even when the patient is the pope, advances in cancer treatment don’t arrive by divine intervention.”