In recent years, lung cancer, which remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, has received inadequate attention and support, largely due to its persistent association with smoking. Stigmas surrounding smoking have affected research funding for lung cancer, despite increased awareness of smoking’s addictive nature. This is particularly disheartening for the 15 to 25 percent of lung cancer patients who have never smoked. The lack of funding and continued stigma has been frustrating for both these patients and their families.
In the evolving landscape of lung cancer diagnosis, there is a growing number of non-smokers affected by the disease. This trend has shown significant effects in certain populations. For instance, a study across California health systems found that 57 percent of Asian women diagnosed with lung cancer were non-smokers. Additionally, another study by the NIH revealed that approximately one-third of lung cancer cases diagnosed in East Asia were among individuals who had never smoked.
Obtaining lung cancer screenings remains a complex issue for non-smokers, further complicated by some insurance companies’ refusal to cover the cost of such screenings for individuals without a history of smoking. The rise in lung cancer diagnoses among non-smokers is possibly linked to factors like second-hand smoke and cooking oil fumes. From the 1970s to the 2000s, the percentage of non-smokers diagnosed with lung cancer increased from 15 percent to 33 percent, although there are currently no specific treatments developed for this group.
Addressing this gap, Lantern Pharma, a pharmaceutical company headquartered in Dallas, has noted promising results from its clinical trials targeting advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in never-smokers. The company’s AI-driven research through its Phase 2 trial, known as HARMONIC, indicated an 86 percent clinical benefit, demonstrating an improvement in how patients feel. The objective response rate was 43 percent, denoting the proportion of patients experiencing partial or complete responses to the treatment within a defined period. Importantly, no safety concerns have been reported in these trials.
The trial, although small with only seven participants, showed encouraging results. Among the six patients who experienced a clinical benefit, three saw their tumours reduce by 51 percent, while the others experienced a 13 percent reduction. Recognising the pronounced impact in East Asian countries, Lantern Pharma has moved swiftly, gaining approval for trials in several Asian nations and initiating site activations in both Japan and Taiwan, including the prestigious National Cancer Center in Tokyo.
Lantern Pharma has been at the forefront of incorporating artificial intelligence to analyse data and formulate new treatments efficiently and cost-effectively, allowing for the development of drugs aimed at smaller patient populations. Traditional pharmaceutical practices can often neglect conditions affecting fewer individuals, as high costs limit the potential for return on investment. In contrast, Lantern’s approach harnesses AI to include more specialised patient groups in drug development efforts.
Their most advanced treatment, HARMONIC, is aimed specifically at never-smokers with lung cancer. Moreover, another solid tumour treatment from Lantern Pharma recently received a Fast Track designation from the FDA. CEO Panna Sharma expressed optimism, highlighting the company's efficient capital management compared to other biotech firms. Lantern's cost-effective use of AI ensures their annual expenditure remains below $20 million, contrary to conventional biotech firms which often incur much higher costs.
Looking ahead, Lantern Pharma plans to continue its endeavour in Asia, expanding to eight further testing sites in addition to existing locations in the United States. The company aims to gather comprehensive data on the HARMONIC treatment while fostering partnerships with healthcare providers and pharmaceutical entities in Japan and South Korea to widen its reach and innovate drug development processes.
"We require more patients for extensive data collection, and we must aim for a longer-lasting response duration," Sharma explains, referring to the small size of the initial trial cohort. "This promising result underlines the potential of AI in developing and targeting therapies, driving meaningful advancements in patient care." The progress made by Lantern Pharma signifies a potential turning point in treating lung cancer among never-smokers, using innovative technologies to address a growing, yet often overlooked, segment of the disease.
Source: Noah Wire Services