Research is being conducted to discover new ways of early detection, prevention, causes and treatments of lung cancer. The objective of this research is to prevent cancer and/or increase survival rates. Some of the research studies being conducted for lung cancer involve:

• Developing screening tests for early detection of lung cancer
  
  
• New effective chemotherapy drugs or drug combinations with fewer side effects
  
  
• Gene therapy to correct genetic defects that cause a predisposition
  
  
• Antiangiogenesis drugs to inhibit cancer cell growth by blocking blood vessel growth in tumors
  
  
• Vaccines to build up the immune system
  
  
• Genetic tests to help identify high-risk individuals and improve detection and plan treatment
  
  
• Biological therapy to boost the body’s natural immune system
  
  
• Improvements to surgical techniques
  
  
• Antigrowth factor drugs to inhibit cell growth