Dan J. Raz, MAS, MD, co-director, Lung Cancer and Thoracic Oncology Program, associate professor, Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, City of Hope, discusses the effects of COVID-19 on lung cancer screening. 

A decline in lung cancer screening has been observed since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, says Raz. However, as more elderly patients are vaccinated and feel comfortable coming into the clinic, the number of patients screened for lung cancer will likely rebound, Raz explains.

Although the decline in screening is not ideal, the COVID-19 pandemic opened the door for mandatory shared–decision making to be done via telemedicine vs in-person, says Raz. Now, patients can meet with medical oncologists, nurse practitioners, or physician’s assistants to discuss the risks and benefits of lung cancer screening through a video chat or phone call, Raz explains. This alleviates some of the accessibility burden of screening for patients, concludes Raz.

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Dan J. Raz, MAS, MD, discusses the effects of COVID-19 on lung cancer screening.  



Dr. Raz on the Effects of COVID-19 on Lung Cancer Screening 

Dan J. Raz, MD, MAS, co-director, Lung Cancer and Thoracic Oncology Program, assistant professor, Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, City of Hope, discusses the subsets of the ALCHEMIST trial.

The trial, though important for all patients with lung cancer, is particularly relevant for those who are being treated for earlier-stage lung cancer. Investigators are looking at the cancer’s mutational profile in patients who have undergone surgical resection. This enables patients who have earlier-stage disease, specifically IB to IIIA, to receive standard therapy. Depending on their mutational profile, doctors can determine whether they should receive additional therapies if they have specific changes.

There are 3 arms within the trial. The first arm is erlotinib (Tarceva) or observation for patients with sensitizing 

 mutations. The second arm is for patients who have an 

 translocation randomized to receive crizotinib (Xalkori) or placebo. The third arm is for patients who don’t have any mutational changes and are eligible to receive immunotherapy for 1 year.

Dan J. Raz, MD

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Dr. Raz on the Effects of COVID-19 on Lung Cancer Screening

Dr. Raz on the Impact of the ALCHEMIST Trial on the Treatment of Patients With Lung Cancer