Overview

The aim of the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Research Programme is to reduce lung cancer mortality by detecting lung cancer earlier. We believe this will be achieved by developing and implementing a molecular-epidemiological risk assessment model and markers of pre-clinical carcinogenesis, used in conjunction with low-dose CT screening.

The current lung cancer research programme focuses on the Liverpool Lung Project (LLP) and the UK Lung Cancer Screening trial (UKLS). We owe a debt of gratitude to all those who have supported these studies over the years as participants and funders. Special thanks go to the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, who have supported us since the start, over 20 years ago,

The success of the programme may be measured not only by its publication record but also the ability to attract significant funding from UK (CRUK, NIHR, PCTs), EU (FP5, FP7) and USA (NIH) as well as establishing strategic collaborations with academic and industrial partners, to undertake complementary studies in early lung cancer detection (ILCCO, TRICL, INTEGRAL).

The current Roy Castle Lung Cancer Research Programme objectives are:

• To redefine pathology of lung cancer based on its molecular signatures, determined by genome-wide expression and methylation, miRNA profiling and next generation sequencing.
• To prepare the next iteration of the Liverpool Lung Project Risk Assessment Model incorporating validated biomarkers and providing an improved algorithm to measure an individual’s 5-year absolute risk of developing lung cancer.
• To develop an early lung cancer detection biomarker roadmap which is integrated into the assessment of high risk individuals.
• Maintain and expand the archive of specimens for at-risk individuals and those with lung cancer for biomarker discovery and validation.
• Facilitate the development of new intervention strategies for high risk individuals.