USC Lung Cancer Program
Lung Cancer Research
At the USC Lung Cancer Program, we are committed to finding the cures of tomorrow today and making lung cancer a disease of the past. Our clinicians and researchers continue to build on our legacy of leadership and innovation — achieving scientific breakthroughs in lung cancer prevention, detection and treatment strategies.
Whether you have small cell lung cancer or non-small cell lung cancer, early stage lung cancer or stage 4 lung cancer, research can play a pivotal role in your treatment plan, giving you access to cutting-edge medications and treatment options. The strides made by our researchers can also make a profound difference in the lives of millions of people with lung cancer. By participating in a lung cancer trial, you too can make a vital contribution to the campaign to find new cancer treatments and, ultimately, a cure.
As an academic medical center, we are at the forefront of the most groundbreaking cancer trials available today. By choosing the USC Lung Cancer Program for your lung cancer care, you have access to the clinical trials that are driving the medical breakthroughs that will help us find tomorrow’s cures today. Together, we can make a difference and bring new hope to people with cancer.
Our offerings
- Finding a cure
- Improving detection, treatment, prevention
- Lung cancer breakthroughs
- Lung cancer clinical trials
- National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation
- Understanding lung cancer causes
What our National Cancer Institute designation means
In 1973, USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center was designated as one of the country’s original eight comprehensive cancer centers by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the federal government’s principle agency for cancer research and training. As an NCI-designated cancer center, we anchor the country’s cancer research efforts, making scientific discoveries that are translated into new treatments for people with cancer. The collective work of NCI researchers has led to important medical advances that have increased the number of cancer survivors in the United States and worldwide.
USC Norris cancer research breakthroughs
Our clinician-scientists have been at the forefront of cancer research for more than 40 years, making historic breakthroughs that have changed the way we understand lung cancer and how it’s treated.
Participate in Lung Cancer Research
Establishing a Diagnosis of Lung Cancer Through a Fluid Biopsy
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: I. To estimate the sensitivity and specificity of the fluid biopsy in establishing a diagnosis of bronchogenic carcinoma. SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: I. To determine the accuracy of determination of ...
Learn More ≫Longitudinal Monitoring of Tumor Specific Mutations in Patients With Lung Cancer
PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: I. To evaluate the ability of next generation sequencing (NGS) to monitor the evolution of cancer-specific mutations in patients undergoing treatment for non-small cell lung carcinoma ...
Learn More ≫Phase 1 Safety Run-In and Phase 2 Randomized Clinical Trial of Anetumab Ravtansine and MK-3475 (Pembrolizumab) Compared to MK-3475 (Pembrolizumab) Alone for Mesothelin-Positive Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: I. Determine the dose of anetumab ravtansine that is safe in combination with MK-3475 (pembrolizumab) to be used in the randomized phase 2 study. (Phase I safety ...
Learn More ≫Randomized Study of Erlotinib vs Observation in Patients With Completely Resected Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Mutant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: I. To assess whether adjuvant therapy with erlotinib hydrochloride (erlotinib) will result in improved overall survival (OS) over observation for patients with completely resected stage IB (>= 4 cm)- ...
Learn More ≫News and Stories
Meet Jason Ye, MD, Assistant Professor of Clinical Radiation Oncology
Dr. Ye is a radiation oncologist at USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center at Keck Medicine of USC. He specializes in a wide array of advanced radiation treatment techniques for people with lung, breast, brain and spine tumors. Here’s what you won’t find on his resume. He can’t wait to swim with manta rays in Kona.
4 Hidden Risks for Lung Cancer
Most people associate lung cancer with smoking, but the fact that you don’t smoke...