Experts Highlight Key Topics to Watch at the IASLC 2025 World Conference on Lung Cancer

The IASLC 2025 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) is set to showcase key updates across thoracic oncology, including the evolving management of EGFR-mutated and ROS1-positive non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), advances in small cell lung cancer (SCLC), and the expanding role of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).

In exclusive interviews with OncLive®, experts highlighted some of the most anticipated abstracts from the meeting that could help reshape standards of care.

Exclusive insights were gathered from:

• Ticiana A. Leal, MD, an associate professor in the Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology and director of the Thoracic Medical Oncology Program at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia
• Misako Nagasaka, MD, PhD, an associate clinical professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, and director of the Thoracic Oncology Program at UCI Health in Orange, California
• Jacob Sands, MD, an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and a thoracic medical oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts

“I love attending WCLC. It's a great opportunity to catch up with friends on a global scale. [We] get all the updates and highlights of what's going on in our field, not only in medical oncology, but in a multidisciplinary fashion to see what's happening in other subspecialties of thoracic oncology,” Leal explained.

Read more below to see the most anticipated abstracts from WCLC 2025.

Abstract PL02.04: First-Line Osimertinib + Chemotherapy Versus Osimertinib Monotherapy in EGFRm Advanced NSCLC: FLAURA2 Final Overall Survival

Session information: 8:15 AM CEST, Sunday, September 7

Nagasaka: [FLAURA2] examined the addition of up-front chemotherapy to osimertinib [Tagrisso], a third-generation EGFR TKI, in patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC.

Traditionally, since osimertinib’s approval for frontline treatment [as monotherapy], we’ve been using that regimen. However, more recently, [data from] the [phase 3] MARIPOSA trial [NCT04487080] came out, which [assessed] the combination of amivantamab-vmjw [Rybrevant] plus lazertinib [Lazcluze], which is another third-generation TKI. This combination did show [better efficacy results] compared with [osimertinib monotherapy], but with more [adverse] effects.

We’re trying to look at [the impact of] the FLAURA2 overall survival [OS] data readout at WCLC. What is the difference in OS [with] early intensification by using chemotherapy?

Leal: I'm also excited to see the update on the OS and the magnitude of benefit for patients in FLAURA2. We are coming to the realization that we have to continue to individualize therapy for patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC and recognize that combinations will likely play a bigger role in achieving [patients’ goals of living longer and having better disease control, including central nervous system disease control with [combination strategies].

I think the biggest question right now is: what is the optimal combination strategy for our patients in the frontline setting? That is why the FLAURA2 data are [much anticipated].

Abstract PL02.10: Pivotal ARROS-1 Efficacy and Safety Data: Zidesamtinib in TKI Pre-treated Patients with Advanced/Metastatic ROS1+ NSCLC

Session information: 8:15 AM CEST, Sunday, September 7

Leal: I'm also excited to see additional data on targeted agents in NSCLC. We're going to see data on NVL-520 [zidesamtinib], a novel ROS1 inhibitor [from the phase 1/2 ARROS-1 trial (NCT05118789)]. We've had a lot of exciting data and new approvals for patients with ROS1-positive NSCLC. [This is] another area where we're seeing the impact of precision medicine with better agents and better activity, [hopefully translating to] better outcomes for our patients with ROS1-positive NSCLC.

Abstract OA06.03: Ifinatamab Deruxtecan (I-DXd) in Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer: Primary Analysis of the Phase 2 IDeate-Lung01 Study

Abstract OA06.04: Safety and Efficacy of ABBV-706, a Seizure-related Homolog Protein 6-targeting Antibody-drug Conjugate, in R/R SCLC

Session information: 4:45 PM CEST, Sunday, September 7

Sands: [Ifinatamab deruxtecan and ABBV-706], I think both of these ADCs [are likely to] ultimately end up being clinically available [and] FDA-approved drugs. The data just looks too good [for both], and there are data from each of those being presented.

[There are also] radiation dosing studies [being] presented, looking at hypofractionated radiation. [Will that] impact standard of care? I'm not sure [about] the level of that data, [but] I really look forward to seeing that. The SCLC sessions have become so packed with data at this point that I think we're going to see a number of different therapies approved [over] the next few years.