The increasing incidence of early-onset cancer worldwide has sparked extensive research efforts aimed at elucidating the distinct biology and treatment complexities in young individuals diagnosed with cancer. Lung cancer has predominantly been linked to older age and smoking history, and remains a leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality; however, compared to other cancer types, our understanding of early onset lung cancer (<50 years) is notably lacking. While overall lung cancer incidence has declined alongside other smoking-related cancers, concerning trends reveal shifting patterns of disease, including an upsurge of lung cancer diagnosis in young individuals, and they are more likely to be non-smokers, harbor oncogenic mutations, have advanced disease and possibly worse outcomes than older patients. Moreover, they face unique challenges, including treatment related complications and psychosocial sequelae. In an era of molecular characterization of cancer and personalized medicine, understanding the causes and manifestations of early onset lung cancer are key to optimization of treatment and prevention.
This collection endeavors to explore the complex interplay between genetic characteristics and environmental exposures in shaping the pathogenesis and phenotype of lung cancer in young populations. We will focus on etiology and molecular characterization of cancer, treatment strategies and global trends. Genetic determinants, including familial cancer syndromes, polygenic risk scores, germline and somatic mutations, will be investigated. Additionally, environmental risk factors such as air pollution, second-hand smoke and radon exposure, will be addressed. Innovative methodologies for assessing biological disease manifestations such as ctDNA and the gut microbiome will aim to elucidate various aspects of carcinogenesis. Management strategies in young individuals will also be discussed, encompassing considerations like fertility preservation, psychosocial challenges and balancing treatment efficacy with toxicity. Finally, this collection will explore evolving global disease patterns and disparities, underscoring the importance of understanding young onset cancer trends and their implications for future generations, including cancer prevention and early detection.
We welcome original research, clinical trials, basic research, reviews, meta-analyses, case reports and general commentaries on the topic of young onset lung cancer:
• Epidemiology and global trends
• Etiology
• Ancestry and ethnicity
• Genetics and genomics
• Biology and translational findings
• Targeted therapy, immunotherapy, chemotherapy
• Surgery and radiotherapy
• Treatment related side effects
• Metastatic disease and palliative care
• Fertility preservation and pregnancy
• Psychosocial challenges, survivorship, advocacy
Please note: Manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics or computational analysis of public genomic or transcriptomic databases which are not accompanied by validation (independent cohort or biological validation in vitro or in vivo) are out of scope for this section and will not be accepted as part of this Research Topic.
Please note the following conflict of interest disclosures:
Ilit Turgeman - Educational activities: AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Medison, Merck Sharp and Dohme, Merck Serono, Roche. Research grants: Gilead, Pfizer. Conference accommodation: Merck Serono, Roche.
Brian Henick - Honoraria: OncLive/MJH Life Sciences, DAVA Oncology. Consulting or Advisory Role: AstraZeneca, IDEAYA Biosciences, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Sorrento Therapeutics, Genentech/Roche, Regeneron, Bristol Myers Squibb. Research Funding: NexImmune, Genentech/Roche, Johnson & Johnson/Janssen, Stand Up 2 Cancer, V Foundation.
Laura Mezquita - Educational activities: Bristol-Myers Squibb, AstraZeneca, Roche, Takeda, Janssen, MSD, Radonova. Consulting or Advisory role: Roche, Takeda, Janssen, MSD. Research Grants: Amgen, Inivata, AstraZeneca, Gilead. Travel, Accommodations and Expenses: Bristol-Myers Squibb, Roche, Takeda, AstraZeneca, Janssen.
Keywords:
Global oncology, adolescent and young adult oncology, etiology, genetics, carcinogens, ethnicity, fertility, disparities, microbiome, biomarkers, oncogene driven lung cancer, immunotherapy, toxicity, palliation
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
The increasing incidence of early-onset cancer worldwide has sparked extensive research efforts aimed at elucidating the distinct biology and treatment complexities in young individuals diagnosed with cancer. Lung cancer has predominantly been linked to older age and smoking history, and remains a leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality; however, compared to other cancer types, our understanding of early onset lung cancer (<50 years) is notably lacking. While overall lung cancer incidence has declined alongside other smoking-related cancers, concerning trends reveal shifting patterns of disease, including an upsurge of lung cancer diagnosis in young individuals, and they are more likely to be non-smokers, harbor oncogenic mutations, have advanced disease and possibly worse outcomes than older patients. Moreover, they face unique challenges, including treatment related complications and psychosocial sequelae. In an era of molecular characterization of cancer and personalized medicine, understanding the causes and manifestations of early onset lung cancer are key to optimization of treatment and prevention.
This collection endeavors to explore the complex interplay between genetic characteristics and environmental exposures in shaping the pathogenesis and phenotype of lung cancer in young populations. We will focus on etiology and molecular characterization of cancer, treatment strategies and global trends. Genetic determinants, including familial cancer syndromes, polygenic risk scores, germline and somatic mutations, will be investigated. Additionally, environmental risk factors such as air pollution, second-hand smoke and radon exposure, will be addressed. Innovative methodologies for assessing biological disease manifestations such as ctDNA and the gut microbiome will aim to elucidate various aspects of carcinogenesis. Management strategies in young individuals will also be discussed, encompassing considerations like fertility preservation, psychosocial challenges and balancing treatment efficacy with toxicity. Finally, this collection will explore evolving global disease patterns and disparities, underscoring the importance of understanding young onset cancer trends and their implications for future generations, including cancer prevention and early detection.
We welcome original research, clinical trials, basic research, reviews, meta-analyses, case reports and general commentaries on the topic of young onset lung cancer:
• Epidemiology and global trends
• Etiology
• Ancestry and ethnicity
• Genetics and genomics
• Biology and translational findings
• Targeted therapy, immunotherapy, chemotherapy
• Surgery and radiotherapy
• Treatment related side effects
• Metastatic disease and palliative care
• Fertility preservation and pregnancy
• Psychosocial challenges, survivorship, advocacy
Please note: Manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics or computational analysis of public genomic or transcriptomic databases which are not accompanied by validation (independent cohort or biological validation in vitro or in vivo) are out of scope for this section and will not be accepted as part of this Research Topic.
Please note the following conflict of interest disclosures:
Ilit Turgeman - Educational activities: AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Medison, Merck Sharp and Dohme, Merck Serono, Roche. Research grants: Gilead, Pfizer. Conference accommodation: Merck Serono, Roche.
Brian Henick - Honoraria: OncLive/MJH Life Sciences, DAVA Oncology. Consulting or Advisory Role: AstraZeneca, IDEAYA Biosciences, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Sorrento Therapeutics, Genentech/Roche, Regeneron, Bristol Myers Squibb. Research Funding: NexImmune, Genentech/Roche, Johnson & Johnson/Janssen, Stand Up 2 Cancer, V Foundation.
Laura Mezquita - Educational activities: Bristol-Myers Squibb, AstraZeneca, Roche, Takeda, Janssen, MSD, Radonova. Consulting or Advisory role: Roche, Takeda, Janssen, MSD. Research Grants: Amgen, Inivata, AstraZeneca, Gilead. Travel, Accommodations and Expenses: Bristol-Myers Squibb, Roche, Takeda, AstraZeneca, Janssen.
Keywords:
Global oncology, adolescent and young adult oncology, etiology, genetics, carcinogens, ethnicity, fertility, disparities, microbiome, biomarkers, oncogene driven lung cancer, immunotherapy, toxicity, palliation
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.