Lung Precision Oncology Program (LPOP)

Lung cancer is the deadliest cancer among Veterans, and the second most common cancer in men and women. However, lung cancer screening and early detection can save lives. To better address

care for Veterans, VA has established the Lung Precision Oncology Program (LPOP) to foster participation in lung cancer screening, genomic testing, and precision oncology trials. When

Veterans participate in these trials, it allows us to tailor treatment to the needs of the individual. Please continue reading for more information about the program.

There are many reasons to be screened for lung cancer and speaking with your health care provider can help you make that decision. Early detection -- especially if you're at a higher risk

for the disease -- is a major component of a better outcome. While learning about a lung cancer diagnosis can be difficult, there is always a reason for hope. New findings regarding

diagnosing and treatment options for cancer are being discovered every day. If you suspect that you are at risk for developing lung cancer, speak to your primary care provider to get

screened. A low dose CT scan takes a few minutes. Below are the current guidelines for screening, and they may apply to you:

If these factors apply to you, you might qualify for a low-dose CT scan to screen for lung cancer. You can also access early detection screening by joining one of our clinical trials

(information can be found toward the bottom of this page), which help us develop and implement various methods to identify lung cancer early. Talk to your primary care provider today! You

can also learn more about the program by using the contact information below.

Deborah Toth, MSN, RNLung Cancer Screening Program CoordinatorBay Pines VA Healthcare [email protected] Teri Buess, BSN, RNLung Cancer Screening Program CoordinatorBay

Pines VA Healthcare [email protected]

Alexandra Thackery, BSN, RNLung Cancer Screening Program CoordinatorBay Pines VA Healthcare [email protected] 727-256-7847 

Kristen Cornett MSN, RNLung Cancer Screening Program CoordinatorBay Pines VA Healthcare [email protected] 727-717-8816

Sue Lasalle MSN, RNLung Cancer Screening Program CoordinatorBay Pines VA Healthcare [email protected] 727-967-6873

LPOP and the Bay Pines VA are committed to providing Veterans access to clinical trials which can include prevention, diagnosis and even treatment. The Bay Pines VA LPOP site is active in

several cutting-edge clinical trials aimed at detecting, treating, and even preventing lung cancer in Veterans. If you would like more information or learn more about participating in one of

our many trials, click the 'plus' sign below and talk to one of our coordinators to learn more about opportunities which may be available to you. Our focus is to provide targeted cancer

care for Veterans while facilitating access to investigational therapies through clinical trials.Clinical Trial Title: NIGHTINGALE (VERACYTE)CliNIcal Utility of ManaGement of Patients with

CT and LDCT Identified Pulmonary Nodules Using the Percepta Nasal Swab ClassifiEr – with Familiarization

Clinical Trial Overview: As part of the study, one nasal brushing specimen will be collected. Your physician may use the test result as an aid in managing your lung nodule. The information

obtained may also aid future patients by helping improve the assessment of lung nodules and treatment plans.Contact Information: Ronald Eland BS, Study Coordinator

Background Information: The main goal of this research study is to evaluate the usefulness of the Percepta Nasal Swab in determining the risk of lung cancer when a new lung nodule is

detected by imaging as part of lung cancer screening or incidentally during a medical work up. The local Principal Investigator (PI) for this clinical trial is Stephen Clum, MD, PhD.

Clinical Trial Title: KRYSTAL-7 (Bristol Myers Squibb)A Phase 2 Trial of Adagrasib Monotherapy and in Combination with Pembrolizumab and a Phase 3 Trial of Adagrasib in Combination with

Pembrolizumab versus Pembrolizumab plus Chemotherapy in Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with KRAS G12C Mutation

Clinical Trial Overview: This study will evaluate how effective these medications are in shrinking or slowing down the growth of lung cancer tumors. It allows participants to play a more

proactive role in their own health by receiving a new treatment for an ongoing disease or condition. Participants may also play an important part in bringing much-needed drugs to market,

benefiting thousands of patients who also have the disease or condition. Contact Information: Ronald Eland BS, Study Coordinator

[email protected] or Background Information: Phase 2: This study will assess the efficacy and safety of Adagrasib monotherapy and, in combination with Pembrolizumab, as a first-line

treatment in patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with a KRAS G12C mutation. Phase 3: This phase will compare the efficacy of Adagrasib administered in combination with

pembrolizumab versus pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy in patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with a KRAS G12C mutation. The local Principal Investigator (PI) for this clinical

trial is Ryan Burri, MD.Clinical Trial Number: NCT04613596

Clinical Trial Title: VA VALOR (VA-CSP)Veterans Affairs Lung Cancer Surgery Or Stereotactic Radiotherapy Trial

Clinical Trial Overview: The VA is doing everything it can to improve the manner in which we treat lung cancer, and improve patient outcomes for patients who have stage one lung cancer.

Veterans diagnosed with stage I non-small cell lung cancer who are healthy enough to have surgery, agree to be randomized to either surgery (standard of care treatment) or an alternative

non-surgical treatment - Stereotactic Radiotherapy (SBRT). The data you provide will help understand the effectiveness and outcomes of the treatments. The knowledge gained from this study

will be used in the future by doctors to guide Stage I lung cancer treatment for Veterans and other patients. 

Contact Information: Marlene Kern, DNP, RN, Study [email protected] or 727-398-6661, ext. 13917Background Information: SBRT uses very precisely targeted radiation to destroy the

cancer in the lung. However, there has not been a study comparing SBRT and Surgery in patients who are physically fit and suitable for both treatments. Therefore, this study is being done

to compare Surgery and SBRT directly. There is evidence that some patients feel better supported during research studies, and some report better outcomes. The local PIs for this clinical

trial are Ryan Burri, MD, and Edward Hong, MD.Clinical Trial Number: NCT02984761

Clinical Trial Title: ARTEMiDE Lung-02 (Astra Zeneca)Phase III, Randomized, Double Blind, Multi Center, Global Study of Rilvegostomig in Combination with Platinum-based Chemotherapy for the

First-line treatment of patients with Metastatic Squamous Non- Small Cell Lung Cancer. (ARTEMiDE LUNG-02)

Clinical Trial Overview: The main goal of this research study is to demonstrate and characterize the efficacy of rilvegostomig plus chemotherapy relative to pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy

by assessment of overall survival.

[email protected] or Background Information: The purpose of ARTEMIDE-Lung03 is to assess the efficacy and safety of rilvegostomig in combination with chemotherapy compared with

pembrolizumab in combination with chemotherapy as 1L treatment in participants with squamous metastatic NSCLC and whose tumors express PD-L1 (TC ≥ 1%). This study will be conducted in

approximately 350 sites across 25 to 30 countries. Participants must have tumors that lack epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) and c-ros

oncogene 1 (ROS1) rearrangements; in addition, tumors must not have any documented actionable genomic mutations identified by local standard practice for which there are locally approved

first-line targeted therapies. The local Principal Investigator (PI) for this clinical trial is Harsh Bhushan, MD.

Clinical Trial Title: ARTEMiDE Lung-03 (Astra Zeneca)A Phase III, Randomized, Double-Blind, Multicenter, Global Study of Rilvegostomig in Combination with Chemotherapy for First-line

Treatment of Patients with Metastatic Non-squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) (ARTEMiDE LUNG-03)

Clinical Trial Overview: The main goal of this research study is to demonstrate and characterize the efficacy of rilvegostomig plus chemotherapy relative to pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy

by assessment of overall survival in patients with metastatic Non-squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC).

[email protected] or Background Information: The purpose of ARTEMIDE-Lung03 is to assess the efficacy and safety of rilvegostomig in combination with chemotherapy compared with

pembrolizumab in combination with chemotherapy as 1L treatment in participants with non-squamous metastatic NSCLC and whose tumors express PD-L1 (TC ≥ 1%). This study will be conducted in

approximately 350 sites across 25 to 30 countries. Participants must have tumors that lack epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) and c-ros

oncogene 1 (ROS1) rearrangements; in addition, tumors must not have any documented actionable genomic mutations identified by local standard practice for which there are locally approved

first-line targeted therapies. The local Principal Investigator (PI) for this clinical trial is Harsh Bhushan, MD.

The Bay Pines VA is proud to be part of VHA’s nation-wide Precision Oncology Initiative, aiming to continue to create a system of excellence in oncology care. Through timely lung cancer

screening programs, smoking cessation education, and cutting-edge clinical trials, we are happy to say that we're closer to that goal than ever. LPOP has assembled experts in pulmonology,

oncology, thoracic surgery, radiation oncology, radiology, pathology and translational sciences to ensure that we can make a difference in the battle against lung cancer.

While great progress has been made, Veterans need more and better options. Precision oncology means matching the right treatment to the right patient using a molecular understanding of their

cancer. At the VA, we take it a step further and provide the tools, resources, and systems of excellence across the United States that foster personalized care for Veterans, and here at

VISN 8 we are proud to serve as an established lung cancer site for LPOP.