Treatment for non small cell lung cancer, small cell lung cancer and pleural mesothelioma within the EORTC Lung Cancer Group: past, present and future

The EORTC Lung Cancer Group (LCG) maintains a multidisciplinary clinical trial portfolio. Over the years research has moved from investigators' ideas, to pharmacological company driven studies of new drugs, to the more recent biological marker driven studies. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common malignancy and has been the area of greatest activity. Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare, aggressive tumor with a poor prognosis which has been a surprising area of collaborative research in the LCG for many years. Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is well named, as it has become ‘small’ in every way, and has changed from being the most hopeful of tumors to what has now become a trialist's despair. This review will provide a review of major clinical trials and the contribution of the LCG. Challenges and priorities in the way forward will be presented and discussed.