Highlights from the ecancer Future Horizons in Lung Cancer conference, 1–2 September 2016: Focusing on the future of treatment for NSCLC and SCLC

The ‘Future Horizons in Lung Cancer’ meeting was designed to bring leading scientists together alongside clinicians to discuss the most recent advances in lung cancer pathophysiology and treatment. The aim was to take those attending the event on a journey through decades of lung cancer research and understanding, with topics spanning from screening and surgical care to “omics” approaches for drug target and biomarker discovery. There were also several talks describing the role of radiotherapy in lung cancer and advancements in imaging techniques, aiding surgeons in their attempts to resect early lesions. Current standards of care were both challenged and celebrated, while new and innovative immunotherapies also came into the spotlight. The meeting, held over two days, attracted a high calibre of speakers and delegates from across the globe. There were 10 sessions in total focusing on the latest therapeutic advances and predictions for the future of lung cancer treatment. Highlights included a key note lecture from Dr Frances Shepherd packing 40 years of lung cancer research into a 40-minute presentation. Heated debates were had regarding the validity of maintenance therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors that have taken the research community by storm. The latest developments in imaging, surgery, systemic and radiotherapy were presented over 10 sessions of exciting, innovative and stimulating presentations, leaving the audience lively yet pensive.