World Lung Cancer Congress Held in Barcelona

At the International World Lung Congress, experts stated that in 5-year follow-up of metastatic or advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients who had previously received chemotherapy, immuno-oncology treatment provided 4 times greater overall survival benefit compared to chemotherapy. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Bilici, from the Medical Oncology Department of Medipol Mega University Hospital, reported that while 5-year survival rates were 3% in patients receiving chemotherapy, this rate was 13% in the patient group receiving immuno-oncology treatment. The IASLC 2019 World Lung Cancer Congress, organized by the International Lung Cancer Study Group and attended by oncologists, pulmonary specialists and doctors from other specialties involved in cancer treatment, where cancer clinical studies were presented, took place in Barcelona between 7-10 September 2019. At the congress, which is followed by many physicians and presented innovative approaches and treatment options applied in lung cancer, 5-year combined efficacy and safety findings representing long-term survival follow-up from immuno-oncology treatment in metastatic or advanced non-small cell lung cancer were shared. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Bilici, who noted that in metastatic or advanced non-small cell lung cancer, immuno-oncology treatment provided greater contribution to patient survival rates compared to chemotherapy in those previously treated with chemotherapy, stated: "When we look at the results in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer treated with immuno-oncology drugs, while 5-year survival rates were 3% in patients receiving chemotherapy, this rate was 13% in the patient group receiving immuno-oncology treatment. Among patients who survived 5 years, the rate of those who continued using immuno-oncology treatment was 36%. Furthermore, when we compare immuno-oncology treatments with chemotherapy, we can say that they can be administered more comfortably in terms of side effects."