Translational Gap in Lung Cancer Research
Ashley Rebecca Guishard, Juan Sebastian Yakisich2, Neelam Azad3, Anand Krishnan V. Iyer3School of Pharmacy, Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia, USA Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Hampton University, VA The Governor’s School for Science and Technology, Hampton, Virginia, USA and Present addressThe Governor’s School for Science and Technology, Hampton, Virginia, USA and Present address, 2Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Hampton University, VA Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Hampton University, VA Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Hampton University, VA, 3Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Hampton University, VA
Lung tumors display intratumoral heterogeneity and contain “cancer stem-like cells” (CS-LCs) that drive chemoresistance and tumor relapse. Cancer relapse occurs when treatment does not target all types of cell subpopulations. Clinical trials often test only one drug, which will likely not be effective on heterogeneous tumors. Studies testing two or more drugs seldom incorporate cancer stem cell- targeting drugs. This translational gap, defined as a delay in the clinical applications of scientific discoveries, may be present in other cancers. In this study, we reviewed 50 Phase I/II and II lung cancer clinical trials (PI/IICT) published in 2015 and 50 studies published in 2004. We compared the number of anticancer drugs used in each CT, the drugs’ ability to target CS-LCs, and the use of radiotherapy. Between 2015 and 2014, the use of radiotherapy (10% and 12%, respectively) and the percentage of studies using drugs known to target CS-LCs (32% and 26%, respectively) were similar. There was an increase in the percentage of PI/IICT testing three drugs when comparing 2015 to 2004 (34% vs 16%). We conclude that a translational gap exists in lung cancer research. Keywords: Lung cancer, translational gap, stem cells, chemotherapy, clinical trial.
Cite This Article
Guishard A, Yakisich J, Azad N, Iyer A. Translational Gap in Lung Cancer Research. EJMI. 2022; 6(1): 1-21
Corresponding Author: Juan Sebastian Yakisich