Lung cancer remains the most important cause of cancer death worldwide, and cases diagnosed at a late stage have extremely poor survival rates. An important aim of the EPIC Lung Cancer Working Group is therefore to carry out studies aiming to improve early detection and screening, in particular by evaluating risk prediction models and identify pre-diagnostic biomarkers for early detection. The ultimate aim is to improve the validity of risk prediction models and improve screening efficacy. Examples of this work include various risk modelling efforts,1 including multiple projects aiming to evaluate the extent to which circulating biomarkers can improve risk prediction.2
Other major activities within the Working Group involve evaluations of the role of environmental tobacco exposure3 and social inequalities,4 as well as identification of novel etiological factors that are independent of, or modified by, tobacco exposure. This is important as 5-20% of lung cancer cases occur among never-smokers, and in countries where anti-smoking campaigns have been successful, the majority of cases now occur in never-smokers or former smokers. This work includes studies on nutrients and circulatingbiomarkers5-8 and the contribution to genome-wide association studies (GWAS).9-11 This work resulted in the establishment of larger projects led by EPIC investigators, such as the Lung Cancer Cohort Consortium (LC3), which brings together lung cancer investigators from over 20 prospective cohorts from around the world.12-17
Selected publications:
Contact details/Working Group leader
Mattias Johansson, PhD
Genetic Epidemiology Group (GEP)
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO)
25 avenue Tony Garnier
CS 90627
69366 LYON CEDEX 07
France
JohanssonM@iarc.who.int