Dr. Subramanian Discusses Tumor Biology in Lung Cancer

Janakiraman Subramanian, MD, a medical oncologist and director of thoracic oncology and director of the Center for Precision Medicine at Saint Luke’s Cancer Institute, discusses tumor biology in lung cancer.

To move the needle forward in both small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and squamous non—small cell lung cancer, physicians have to gain a better understanding of the biology of the disease, explains Subramanian. One way to inform this understanding is through tissue collection, he adds.

However, tissue collection, specifically the quantity and quality of the specimens—especially in SCLC—are lacking. This stunts any further understanding of how the tumor evolves over time with different treatments, says Subramanian. Implementing a standardized tissue collection protocol could alter the way physicians treat patients with SCLC.

Patient enrollment on clinical trials is another critical component of improving outcomes. Combining biological data with clinical outcomes data is how physicians can continue to move the needle forward, he concludes.