November 12, 2025
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November 12, 2025

2025 - A Year in Lung Cancer Research

Lung Health
,
Cancer Awareness Months
,
Cancer
,
Reviewed By:
Dr Catherine Kennedy
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2025 - A Year in Lung Cancer Research

Contents

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Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths in the UK, but 2025 has offered new reasons for hope. With promising breakthroughs in targeted therapies, AI-enhanced screening, and early detection tools, this year marked a turning point in how we approach the disease. In this article, we explore some of the most impactful lung cancer research from 2025 and what it could mean for the future of screening, diagnosis, and care.

Key Facts

  • Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in the UK, responsible for around 33,000 deaths annually1.
  • More than 43,000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer in the UK each year2.
  • Smoking remains the top risk factor, but up to 15 per cent of lung cancer cases occur in non-smokers3.
  • The five-year survival rate in the UK is around 15 per cent for those diagnosed at stage three; however, early detection can improve rates to almost 65 per cent4.
  • Low-dose CT (LDCT) scans are now the gold standard for lung cancer screening in high-risk groups5.

Understanding Lung Cancer

Causes and Risk Factors

  • Smoking and secondhand smoke exposure: Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer. Secondhand smoke contains many carcinogens and significantly increases lung cancer risk, particularly if exposure occurs early in life (before age 25) or is prolonged. Non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke face a 20-30 per cent increased risk of lung cancer6–8.
  • Radon gas: Radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas found in soil and rocks, can accumulate in buildings and is the second largest cause of lung cancer after smoking9. The risk is amplified in smokers exposed to radon. 
  • Occupational exposure: Exposure to carcinogens like asbestos, silica, and diesel fumes in the workplace contributes to lung cancer risk9,10. Occupational hazards are significant for those working in industries involving these substances.
  • Family history or genetic predisposition: Individuals with first-degree relatives who had lung cancer have around a two-fold increase in risk, likely due to genetic and shared environmental factors11. Genetics play a role in some families with a strong lung cancer history.
  • Chronic respiratory diseases like COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including emphysema and chronic bronchitis, raise the risk of lung cancer12. Other lung diseases, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), also increase susceptibility to lung cancer9.

Challenges in Early Detection

  • Symptoms can be vague and non-specific: Early lung cancer symptoms, such as persistent cough, breathlessness, chest pain, or fatigue, are easily mistaken for more benign conditions like infections or ageing13. 
  • Asymptomatic early-stage disease: Many individuals with lung cancer experience no symptoms until the disease is advanced. Studies indicate that even when symptoms do occur, they may be subtle or ignored, with significant delays, up to several months to a year between symptom onset and diagnosis14,15.
  • Limitations of chest X-rays: Traditional X-rays often miss small or central tumours, especially in the early stages, leading to underdiagnosis16.

LDCT scans significantly improve the likelihood of detecting lung cancer at an early, more treatable stage, reducing mortality by up to 25 per cent17. However, LDCT screening is typically targeted only to those at the highest risk and is not yet widely used in the UK.

At Ezra, anyone can book an LDCT scan, costing only £249.

Importance of Early Diagnosis

Early diagnosis of lung cancer is important because survival rates are dramatically higher when cancer is detected at Stage 1, and more patients are eligible for potentially curative treatments. Regular screening of high-risk individuals increases the likelihood of detecting lung cancer early, improving both survival rates and treatment outcomes.

Cancers found at Stage 1 have a 5-year survival rate ranging from 65 per cent to over 80 per cent in major population-based studies, compared to around 5 per cent for those diagnosed at Stage 44.

2025 Research Highlights

New Tools for Early Detection

  • The NHS has rolled out routine blood-based liquid biopsy testing for lung cancer, focusing on circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA). Around 15,000 patients could benefit each year, with over 1,600 already tested since April 202518,19.
  • UK trials are pioneering diagnostic breath tests that analyse volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released by tumour cells. Studies like the EVOLUTION trial at Royal Papworth Hospital use specialised probes to identify alcohol-based VOCs in the breath of lung cancer patients20.
  • Clinical studies show that adding blood-based biomarkers to LDCT screening could improve early-stage detection rates by up to 60 per cent, enabling more high-risk individuals to be identified and treated appropriately21.

AI in Lung Cancer Screening

  • NHS hospitals in Manchester use AI tools from Annalise.AI to analyse chest X-rays and CT scans. This enables urgent, high-risk scans to be flagged and processed more quickly, avoiding unnecessary further testing and cutting waiting times22.
  • AI models show a much higher sensitivity (86-98 per cent) for detecting lung nodules compared to radiologists (68-76 per cent)23. These systems reduce missed cancers, especially when interpreting busy or complex scans, and have helped avoid thousands of unnecessary CT scans and urgent referrals in practice.

Advances in Targeted and Immunotherapies

  • Immunotherapy targeting PD-1 (e.g., pembrolizumab, nivolumab) and PD-L1 (e.g., atezolizumab, durvalumab) is now routinely used as first-line or maintenance treatment, particularly for advanced and metastatic lung cancer24. 
  • Clinical trials demonstrate that adding immunotherapy to chemotherapy or as maintenance following radiation continues to offer significant survival benefits, especially for those without targetable mutations or with high PD-L1 expression. Some combinations are now being used pre-operatively, improving surgical outcomes and further raising survival rates24,25.

Early Detection Tools: Still the Key to Progress

LDCT screening is a cornerstone of early lung cancer detection. It is recommended for adults aged 55-74 with a 30+ pack-year smoking history or those who quit within the past 15 years26.

Recent NHS pilots and longitudinal studies in the UK and abroad show LDCT screening increases detection of stage I and stage II lung cancers by up to 20 per cent, compared to previous programs or conventional chest X-rays27–29.

What You Can Do During Lung Cancer Awareness Month

Share Knowledge and Raise Awareness

  • Educate friends and family about important lung cancer symptoms such as a persistent cough, unexplained weight loss, breathlessness, coughing up blood, chest pain, or long-term hoarseness.
  • Use social media hashtags like #LungCancerAwareness, #GetScreenedEarly, and #GMLungCancer to promote evidence-based information and reduce stigma. 

Support Research and Trials

  • Consider donating to reputable research groups, such as Cancer Research UK, the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, and the “All You Need is Lungs” campaign, all of which drive advances in prevention, early detection, and treatment.
  • Encourage eligible friends and family to take part in lung screening programs and clinical research trials. 

Book a Preventive Screening

  • If you are aged 50+ with a history of smoking, talk to your GP about arranging an LDCT. Early screening initiatives are now available in many UK regions and are proven to increase early-stage diagnosis.
  • Ezra’s Lungs CT Scan offer convenient, non-invasive options for a comprehensive lung and organ health check, supporting prevention for those at higher risk.

Summary

2025 was a pivotal year in lung cancer research. Thanks to progress in early detection tools, personalised therapy, and AI-enhanced screening, lung cancer care is becoming faster, smarter, and more hopeful. But despite these advancements, the most powerful tool remains early diagnosis. For high-risk individuals, regular screening can mean the difference between a late-stage diagnosis and a curable cancer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is most at risk of lung cancer?

Current or former smokers, those exposed to secondhand smoke, people with a family history of lung cancer, and people exposed to occupational hazards.

Can lung cancer be cured if caught early?

Lung cancer can be cured if caught early, with stage 1 patients having a much higher chance of long-term survival and eligibility for curative treatments.

Is screening available on the NHS?

Yes, lung cancer screening is available on the NHS.

How does Ezra help detect lung cancer early?

Ezra offers non-invasive LDCT scans that check lung and organ health, making advanced screening accessible even to people without NHS eligibility.

Be proactive about your health and book an LDCT scan to screen for lung cancer, pulmonary nodules, emphysema, and more with Ezra today.

Understand your risk for cancer with our 5 minute quiz.

Know Your Risk

Our scan is designed to detect potential cancer early.

Book Your Scan

References

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2. Lung cancer. nhs.uk. October 23, 2017. Accessed November 10, 2025. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lung-cancer/ 

3. Causes and risk factors of lung cancer - Macmillan Cancer Support. Accessed November 10, 2025. https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/lung-cancer/causes-and-risk-factors-of-lung-cancer 

4. Survival for lung cancer. Accessed November 10, 2025. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/lung-cancer/survival 

5. Sow MKS, Howlett J, Bell R, Odell D, Ekeke CN. A narrative review of lung cancer screening: from adoption to maturity. AME Surgical Journal. 2024;4:1-8. 

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7. Secondhand Tobacco Smoke (Environmental Tobacco Smoke) - Cancer-Causing Substances - NCI. March 20, 2015. Accessed June 28, 2024. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/substances/secondhand-smoke 

8. National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (US) Office on Smoking and Health. The Health Consequences of Smoking—50 Years of Progress: A Report of the Surgeon General. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US); 2014. Accessed November 10, 2025. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK179276/ 

9. Risks and causes of lung cancer. Accessed November 10, 2025. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/lung-cancer/risks-causes 

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11. Cassidy A, Myles JP, Duffy SW, Liloglou T, Field JK. Family history and risk of lung cancer: age-at-diagnosis in cases and first-degree relatives. Br J Cancer. 2006;95(9):1288-1290. doi:10.1038/sj.bjc.6603386 

12. Durham AL, Adcock IM. The relationship between COPD and lung cancer. Lung Cancer. 2015;90(2):121-127. doi:10.1016/j.lungcan.2015.08.017 

13. Ziora P, Skiba H, Kiczmer P, et al. Ten-Year Observational Study of Patients with Lung Adenocarcinoma: Clinical Outcomes, Prognostic Factors, and Five-Year Survival Rates. J Clin Med. 2025;14(8):2552. doi:10.3390/jcm14082552 

14. Kalinke L, Thakrar R, Janes SM. The promises and challenges of early non‐small cell lung cancer detection: patient perceptions, low‐dose CT screening, bronchoscopy and biomarkers. Mol Oncol. 2021;15(10):2544-2564. doi:10.1002/1878-0261.12864 

15. Symptoms of lung cancer. Accessed November 10, 2025. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/lung-cancer/symptoms 

16. Quekel LG, Goei R, Kessels AG, van Engelshoven JM. [The limited detection of lung cancer on chest X-rays]. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2003;147(22):1048-1056. 

17. Arnold H. What is being done to improve earlier detection of lung cancer around the world? The Lung Cancer Policy Network. November 1, 2024. Accessed November 10, 2025. https://www.lungcancerpolicynetwork.com/what-is-being-done-to-improve-earlier-detection-of-lung-cancer/ 

18. ADPH London. Liquid biopsy for lung and breast cancers now available across the NHS in England. ADPH London. June 4, 2025. Accessed November 10, 2025. https://www.adph.org.uk/networks/london/2025/06/04/liquid-biopsy-for-lung-and-breast-cancers-now-available-across-the-nhs-in-england/ 

19. Wise J. Liquid biopsy for lung and breast cancers becomes available across the NHS in England. Published online June 2, 2025. doi:10.1136/bmj.r1130 

20. Lung cancer research: Ethanol breath biopsy for early detection of disease. Royal Papworth Hospital. Accessed November 10, 2025. https://royalpapworth.nhs.uk/our-hospital/latest-news/ethanol-breath-biopsy-clinical-trial-early-lung-cancer-detection 

21. Haber DA, Skates SJ. Combination Diagnostics: Adding Blood-Based ctDNA Screening to Low-Dose CT Imaging for Early Detection of Lung Cancer. Cancer Discov. 2024;14(11):2025-2027. doi:10.1158/2159-8290.CD-24-1195 

22. West NEN. NHS England — North West » Artificial intelligence and mobile screening services improving lung cancer care. August 1, 2025. Accessed November 10, 2025. https://www.england.nhs.uk/north-west/2025/08/01/artificial-intelligence-and-mobile-screening-services-improving-lung-cancer-care/ 

23. Cheo HM, Ong CYG, Ting Y. A Systematic Review of AI Performance in Lung Cancer Detection on CT Thorax. Healthcare (Basel). 2025;13(13):1510. doi:10.3390/healthcare13131510 

24. Huang Q, Li Y, Huang Y, et al. Advances in molecular pathology and therapy of non-small cell lung cancer. Natural Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy. 2025;10(186). doi:10.1038/s41392-025-02243-6 

25. Liu QG, Wu J, Wang ZY, et al. ALK-based dual inhibitors: Focus on recent development for non-small cell lung cancer therapy. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. 2025;291:117646. doi:10.1016/j.ejmech.2025.117646 

26. Lung cancer screening. nhs.uk. March 27, 2023. Accessed November 10, 2025. https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/lung-cancer-screening/ 

27. Bhamani A, Creamer A, Verghese P, et al. Low-dose CT for lung cancer screening in a high-risk population (SUMMIT): a prospective, longitudinal cohort study. Lancet Oncol. 2025;26(5):609-619. doi:10.1016/S1470-2045(25)00082-8 

28. Mathew S, Thangavel G, Pujar P, Pant A, Nath A. An umbrella review of systematic evidence on the Low Dose Computed Tomography (LDCT) for lung cancer screening. Future Oncol. 2025;21(20):2649-2661. doi:10.1080/14796694.2025.2531428 

29. Gutiérrez Alliende J, Kazerooni EA, Crosbie PAJ, Xie X, Sharma A, Reis J. The present and future of lung cancer screening: latest evidence. Future Oncology. 2025;21(14):1735-1743. doi:10.1080/14796694.2025.2501516