Lung cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the lung grow in an uncontrolled way. Unfortunately, these cancerous cells often spread to other parts of the body before the disease is detected in the lungs. While cigarette smoking or passive exposure to tobacco smoke are the principal risk factors for developing lung cancer, there is a concerning increase of cases in people who have never smoked, especially women.

There are two main types of lung cancer, which grow and spread differently and have their own unique genomic profile: small-cell lung cancer and non-small-cell lung cancer. Treatment options for many patients are limited and have remained largely unchanged over decades. High rates of recurrence and chemotherapy resistance mean that less than one in five patients will survive more than five years after their diagnosis.

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Whole-genome sequencing gives Garvan’s lung cancer research teams the unparalleled ability to define the genetic characteristics of the disease, developing biomarkers for prognosis and therapeutic responsiveness, and understanding the molecular mechanisms of resistance in order to develop new treament strategies and more effective personalised medicine. In addition, our researchers have identified molecular profiles of the surrounding matrix of non-small-cell lung cancer. This may indicate which patients are likely to develop aggressive tumours, which in turn can guide treatment plans to achieve improved health outcomes.

The number one cause of cancer-related deaths in Australia