BATTLE trial personalizes lung cancer treatment

WASHINGTON — Researchers have taken a step toward personalizing the treatment of lung cancer.

Matching treatments to specific mutations in tumors is routine for some cancers, such as breast cancer, but until recently, chemotherapy for lung cancer has been given on a one-treatment-fits-all basis. Now, a new study, called the BATTLE trial, shows that treatments tailored for each patient’s particular type of lung cancer may improve outcomes.