This year’s European Lung Cancer Congress (ELCC) was all about lung cancer. Prof. Oliver Gautschi, MD, Co-Chief Physician of the Clinic for Medical Oncology at the Lucerne Cantonal Hospital (LUKS), was not only in the thick of things as a participant, but also as a speaker. In an interview, he answered our questions and shared his conclusion of the congress with us.
Thank you very much for taking the time to answer our questions. This year’s European Lung Cancer Congress took place completely virtually at the end of March. How do you experience this now widespread format? Do you think that congresses will increasingly take place virtually even after the pandemic?
Prof. Oliver Gautschi, MD:
The virtual events of ESMO and IASLC are very well organized and work technically flawlessly. Even during the ongoing COVID pandemic, it is important that we continue to educate ourselves on oncology and share results. However, personal contact is lacking. This would be important for critical discussions, conception of new studies, and promotion of young researchers.
What were the key messages of this year’s ELCC for you? What points in particular have stuck in your mind?
Despite significant advances in treatment, thoracic tumors remain unpredictable and dangerous. There is a great need in the implementation of modern diagnostics and therapy. There is also a great imbalance between European countries in terms of these opportunities.
Was there anything that really surprised you?
The presentations of Ms. Blackhall and Mr. Vansteenkiste in the context of the awarding of the Heine Hansen Prize. I know both of them quite well. Learning more details about her career and scientific achievements was very interesting for me.
With the growing number of targeted options, therapy for NSCLC is becoming more specific. Are current diagnostic workflows up to this challenge? What developments do you hope to see in this regard?
Targeted therapy options are rapidly advancing. We have reported extensively on the new RET inhibitors at ELCC. Even for dedicated oncologists, it is increasingly difficult to stay “on the ball” here. I think medical care systems will have to adapt in the future so that affected patients can increasingly be cared for at centers.
Are there new substances whose application in lung cancer could, in your opinion, achieve significant clinical relevance in the next few years?
In addition to new molecular therapies, I also expect new immunotherapies. On the one hand, there are new data on oral PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors. On the other hand, there are new checkpoints such as TIGIT that can be addressed pharmacologically. Here we are facing further, major developments.
Your presentation focused specifically on NSCLC patients with brain metastases. What are the special challenges in this patient group?
Many patients with lung cancer unfortunately develop brain metastases. The question is whether brain metastases must always be addressed by radiation or surgery, or whether the effect of systemic therapy can be waited for first. We discussed this in a virtual “tumor board” with experts from Europe and the USA.
What are your hopes for improving the prognosis of patients with brain metastases?
Molecularly targeted drugs are already being “designed” today so that they can also exert an effect in the brain. This is less possible with immunotherapies. Here, inhibition of different checkpoints could improve the response of brain metastases. Clinical studies in this direction are ongoing.
What is your position on lung cancer prevention and screening? For example, should smokers with at least 30 pack years be monitored using low-dose CT?
Prevention remains important, as tobacco smoking continues to be a major problem. In terms of early detection using low-dose CT, Europe is not yet as far along with implementation as the USA. In Switzerland, the potential benefits are currently being examined by an independent commission. There is no nationwide study, so there is no broad screening outside of the SUVA program.
This interview took place in April 2021 in written form. It was conceived by Amelie Stüger.
InFo ONCOLOGY & HEMATOLOGY 2021; 9(3): 22 (published 6/16-21, ahead of print).
