Welcome Letter
Welcome to the 2023 Annual Report! 2023 was a year of growth for IASLC. We crossed a historic milestone as our membership surpassed the 10,000 mark, and more than 7,800 delegates met both in person and online at our various events this year. Our growth has led us to expand our committee structure, allowing us to put more resources into focusing on topics vital to our membership and their mission to diagnose, treat, and find a cure for thoracic cancers.
IASLC's International and Multidisciplinary Membership
In 2023, the IASLC soared to unprecedented heights, proudly achieving a historic membership milestone by welcoming over 10,000 members worldwide. Eight in-person meetings took center stage, where our members joined together to share expertise and foster connections as we reunited face-to-face for WCLC for the first time post-pandemic. A few important milestones that the IASLC hit this year include the initiation of IASLC member focus groups, the IASLC's commitment to continuous learning culminated last year with the launch of Lung Cancer 360, a groundbreaking Learning Management System, and the introduction of six new committees launching in the first quarter of 2024. This interest and member engagement surge emphasizes the global enthusiasm and commitment to advancing our shared mission. As we reflect on the past year's accomplishments, the IASLC looks forward enthusiastically, poised to continue our journey of unity, progress, and thriving together in the fight against thoracic cancers.
Members by Primary Specialty
| Labels | Values |
|---|---|
| Medical Oncology | 33% |
| Thoracic Surgery | 15% |
| Other/Unknown | 17% |
| Pulmonary Medicine | 9% |
| Research/Basic Science | 8% |
| Radiation Oncology | 5% |
| Pathology | 4% |
| Advocacy | 3% |
| Biotech/Pharmaceutical | 3% |
| Diagnostic Radiology | 1% |
| Nursing | 2% |
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Professional Activity/Practice
| Labels | Values |
|---|---|
| Academic Medical Center | 44 |
| Other/Unknown | 16 |
| Pharmaceutical/Biotech | 10 |
| Cancer Center | 16 |
| Private Practice (Hospital) | 3 |
| Private Practice (Office) | 2 |
| Training Program | 2 |
| Non-Profit or Advocacy | 2 |
| Laboratory Research | 1 |
| Government Agency | 2 |
| Administration | 1 |
| Retired | 0.4 |
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Strategic Plan
IASLC CEO Karen Kelly, MD, unveiled the society’s five-year strategic plan at WCLC 23, redefining the IASLC’s mission and vision and setting forth an aggressive blueprint to achieve its goals. The plan was developed over several months and is based on input from the IASLC member survey, IASLC’s committees, partners, Board of Directors, and staff. Taken together, the pillars, outcomes, aims, and enablers are designed to serve as a roadmap that guides the organization toward a future characterized by groundbreaking discoveries, compassionate care, and transformative impact.
IASLC Flagship Scientific Projects
Every project the IASLC dedicates itself to revolves around lung cancer research across specialties and from around the globe. Whether that novel research is showcased in a new multi-day all-virtual symposium, a podcast or a webinar with expert panelists who can put the data in context, or in an IASLC Lung Cancer News (ILCN) article that discusses the nuances of daily clinical application, we strive to support and promote practice-changing research, providing education to all our volunteers and members.
Learn more about the IASLC Flagship Scientific Projects listed above here!
The IASLC Welcomes Chief Science Officer, Jennifer C. King, PhD
In October 2023 the IASLC welcomed Jennifer King as its new CSO. Dr. King will guide and implement the scientific strategy of the IASLC, support scientific research projects, and manage the Scientific Affairs department.
Conferences & Events
IASLC strives to provide quality education and networking opportunities to our members, and 2023 was no exception. More than 7,800 delegates met in person and virtually to learn, collaborate, and network throughout 2023. As we move forward into 2024, we plan to continue providing both in-person and on-demand options for our events, allowing everyone working to defeat thoracic cancers and malignancies access to the latest information and education in the field.
WCLC 2023 | Singapore
The IASLC 2023 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC 23) took place in Singapore during mid-September, and it was a resounding success. Under the leadership of Chairs Drs. Fiona Hegi-Johnson, Chee Lee, and Pyng Lee, the conference attracted a remarkable turnout, with 5,622 delegates hailing from 93 different countries.
WCLC 23 offered a wealth of educational opportunities for attendees, featuring a distinguished lineup that included 411 faculty members, 1,831 enlightening abstracts, 1,158 engaging Posters and ePosters, 20 Industry Symposia sessions, and a bustling exhibition area with 55 exhibitors and supporters. The conference also featured four insightful plenary sessions that garnered significant attention.
WCLC 2023 Quick Facts
1,158
Featured & E-Posters / Posters
411
Invited Faculty
5,634
Delegates
63
Education & Other Awards
Media Coverage
19
News Releases Issued
186
Registered Journalists
126
Countries Filed Stories
69,100
Total Media Mentions
IASLC Education
2023 WEBINARS & GRANT-FUNDED ACTIVITIES
Webinars are an important part of IASLC’s offerings, providing education and insight to those in the thoracic cancer community. In 2023, 1,063 people attended eight IASLC webinars representing multiple specialties, geographic regions, and both IASLC members and non-members. Webinar Engagement Globally Occurred in 79 countries.
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Lung Cancer 360 & Continuous Education
IASLC’s commitment to continuous learning culminated in the launch of Lung Cancer 360, a groundbreaking Learning Management System. This platform offers interactive online CME- and non-CME accredited courses, virtual simulations, microlearning modules, webinar recordings, patient advocacy resources, and more—positioning itself as the go-to destination for multidisciplinary online education.
Journal of Thoracic Oncology
The Journal of Thoracic Oncology (JTO) continues to be a leading source of education and information covering all facets of thoracic malignancies. The JTO offers a comprehensive array of content, including original research, reviews, and opinion pieces, catering to a diverse audience that includes epidemiologists, statisticians, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, thoracic surgeons, pulmonologists, radiologists, pathologists and research scientists with a specific focus on thoracic oncology.
“JTO’s impact factor has more than quadrupled from 5.040 in 2015 to 20.4 in 2022. This is a notable achievement since we are a sub-specialty journal dealing with only thoracic oncology. There are no other sub-specialty journals among the top 20 oncology journals. More importantly, the impact factor of other journals in thoracic oncology or surgery fell in 2022. This achievement is a testament to the exemplary work of our editorial board and our managing editor, as well as the support of IASLC—its executives, office staff, membership, and above all, our reviewers, readers, and authors. JTO will continue its emphasis on multidisciplinary research to serve the broad community working in thoracic oncology.”
JTO Impact Factor on the Rise
| Labels | Values |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 3.508 |
| 2009 | 4.547 |
| 2010 | 4.040 |
| 2011 | 3.661 |
| 2012 | 4.473 |
| 2013 | 5.8 |
| 2014 | 5.282 |
| 2015 | 5.040 |
| 2016 | 6.595 |
| 2017 | 10.336 |
| 2018 | 12.460 |
| 2019 | 13.357 |
| 2020 | 15.609 |
| 2021 | 20.121 |
| 2022 | 20.4 |
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JTO Clinical and Research Reports
The IASLC’s commitment to accessible knowledge is embodied by JTO Clinical and Research Reports (JTO CRR), our open-access journal. This platform ensures immediate and enduring free access to high-quality lung cancer studies for everyone. As the companion journal to JTO, JTO CRR finds its niche within the IASLC by providing a dedicated space for research with a clinical focus, including case reports, phase 1 and 2 trials, impactful retrospective studies, and database analyses.
In 2021, JTO CRR achieved indexation in PubMed Central, the Directory of Open Access Journals, and Scopus. By the end of 2023, the journal reached another milestone by gaining acceptance into Clarivate’s Emerging Source Citation Index (ESCI), a part of the Web of Science core collections. This accomplishment positions JTO CRR on the path to obtaining its first impact factor, slated for release in June 2024.
The success and continuous growth of JTO CRR are indebted to our dedicated readers, authors, and reviewers. This open-access journal has become a vital resource, extending the IASLC’s influence worldwide, offering unparalleled access to the thoracic oncology community.
IASLC Lung Cancer News (ILCN)
The IASLC Lung Cancer News (ILCN) is the IASLC’s official news source for thoracic oncology specialists throughout the world. With its international audience, ILCN offers timely and relevant lung cancer news that spans specialties and interests as well as geography. ILCN’s analysis helps clinicians understand the implications of the latest research in medical, radiologic, and surgical oncology, as well as pathology, nursing and allied health, patient advocacy, and more.
Dr. Suresh Senan, an Associate Editor with the ILCN and a Radiation Oncologist at the Amsterdam UMC in the Netherlands, highlights the achievements of the ILCN in 2023. He reports that the ILCN garnered 165,000+ unique page views from approximately 92,000 users worldwide.
Lung Cancer Considered
Hosted by Dr. Stephen Liu and Dr. Narjust Florez
Tune in to Lung Cancer Considered, the official IASLC podcast, for engaging conversations with internationally recognized researchers, healthcare professionals, patients, and advocates influencing the landscape of thoracic cancers. In 2023, Lung Cancer Considered experienced an unprecedented surge in listenership, surpassing 227,000 dedicated listeners globally. This remarkable achievement was acknowledged with the prestigious W3 Gold Award for creative excellence, highlighting the podcast's impactful contribution to the field.
Dr. Narjust Florez, one of the co-hosts of Lung Cancer Considered, reflects on the podcast's achievements throughout 2023.
Watch Video Highlights of 2023 Committee Achievements
Career Development & Fellowship Committee
Dr. Ahmed Rabea, past Chair of the IASLC Career Development & Fellowship Committee, shares successes of the last year.
Communications Committee
Dr. Jarushka Naidoo, Chair of the IASLC Communications Committee, discusses notable accomplishments from 2023.
Early Detection & Screening Committee
Dr. Stephen C. Lam, former Chair of the IASLC Early Detection & Screening Committee, shares the successes of the last year.
Membership Committee
Dr. Nan Wu, former Chair of the IASLC Membership Committee, shares the success of the last year.
Nurses & Allied Health Professionals Committee
Dr. Maria Ftanou, Past Chair of the Nurses & Allied Health Professionals Committee, celebrates their work throughout 2023.
Patient Advocate Committee
Jill Feldman, a lung cancer patient research advocate and former Chair of the IASLC Patient Advocate Committee, shares successes of the last year.
Tobacco Control & Smoking Cessation Committee
Drs. Bill Evans & Joelle Fathi share the work of the Tobacco Control & Smoking Cessation Committee in 2023.
Patient Advocacy
Over the past decade, the landscape of lung cancer detection, patient care, and treatment options has witnessed unprecedented growth. Recognizing the indispensable role played by patients, caregivers, and advocates in shaping the lung cancer community, the IASLC is dedicated to fostering inclusivity and accelerating the pace of knowledge-sharing and advancements in care.
The IASLC is committed to offering patient advocates a seat at the table, providing opportunities to:
- Participate in Conferences: Access to key conferences where advocates can stay abreast of the latest developments in lung cancer research and care.
- Build Relationships: Forge meaningful connections with researchers and care providers to enhance collaboration.
- Engagement & Empowerment: Sit side-by-side with researchers and care team members, contributing their unique insights to the collective understanding of lung cancer and helping research generate meaningful outcomes for patients and their families.
- Share Experiences: Facilitate the sharing of personal perspectives and experiences, enriching the dialogue around lung cancer.
IASLC Supportive Training for Advocates on Research & Science (STARS)
The Patient Research Advocates (PRAs) within the STARS program are instrumental individuals with a personal connection to cancer who are passionate about translating research into tangible outcomes for patients and their families. Lung cancer patient research advocates within this program bring the collective patient perspective to the forefront, ensuring research aligns with patients' most pressing needs. The IASLC is proud to champion patient advocacy, recognizing it as an integral force in propelling lung cancer research, care, and outcomes. As we reflect on the strides made in 2023, we look forward to furthering our commitment to inclusivity and collaboration in the years to come.
2023 Cancer Care Team Awards
The IASLC Cancer Care Team Award is a prestigious award honoring and recognizing outstanding patient care served by multidisciplinary teams working together. Nominations are accepted from all over the world by individual patients with lung cancer and/or their caregivers/care partners. The IASLC is proud to honor the 2023 IASLC Cancer Care Team Award Recipients.
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In response to insightful feedback gathered during engagements with Corporate Partners in 2022, IASLC introduced the groundbreaking IASLC Partners for Thoracic Cancer Care initiative. This collaborative effort seamlessly integrates the expertise of IASLC member experts with industry representatives, fostering collective solutions to major challenges in the field of lung cancer and thoracic malignancies.
Strategic Focus on Biomarker Testing
The initiative’s inaugural phase is strategically centered on biomarker testing, recognizing its critical role in ensuring accurate diagnoses of lung cancer. Through collaborative projects, IASLC Partners aim to advance biomarker testing methodologies, ultimately contributing to enhanced diagnostic precision and improved patient outcomes.
EXPANDING HORIZONS IN 2024: ADDRESSING CRITICAL ISSUES
Looking ahead to 2024, the IASLC Partners initiative is set to broaden its scope. Plans include the addition of new partners and the formation of specialized working groups dedicated to addressing pressing topics such as access to clinical trials, early detection and screening, and disparities in care. This forward-looking approach ensures the initiative’s adaptability to emerging challenges.
The initiative is spearheaded by a distinguished and globally representative group of co-chairs, each bringing unique perspectives and expertise to the table. The current co-chairs are:
- Federico Cappuzzo, MD, National Cancer Institute Regina Elena (Italy)
- Byoung Chul Cho, MD, PhD, Yonsei Cancer Center (Republic of Korea)
- Eric Churchill, PhD, Takeda Oncology (USA)
- Abdelali Majdi, MD, Bayer (France)
- Sukhmani Kaur Padda, MD, Fox Chase Cancer Center/Temple Health (USA)
- Navneet Singh, MD, FRCP, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (India)
Dr. Navneet Singh, Founding Co-Chair of the IASLC Partners for Thoracic Cancer Care, shares more about the Biomarker Survey and work.
Distinguished Corporate Participation in 2023
The success of the IASLC Partners initiative is further accentuated by the active involvement of leading corporations. Their engagement signifies a shared commitment to advancing thoracic cancer care on a global scale.
The 2023 participants include:
Despite advances in research and early detection that are creating better outcomes and hope for lung cancer patients and their families, lung cancer claims more lives each year than breast, colon, and prostate cancers combined. Yet lung cancer receives disproportionately less government research funding per cancer death than other types of cancer. This makes the need for private support of lung cancer research critical.
In 2023, the IASLC Foundation awarded nine research grants totaling $750,000. This year’s grant recipients represent another diverse group of researchers from around the world. IASLC Foundation Research Grants are made possible by donations from individual donors, foundation partners and pharmaceutical companies and foundations.
Recipient of the 2023 IASLC Adi F. Gazdar Fellowship Grant, Regina Hoo, Discusses Impact on Research Progress and Shares Insights.
Financials
The IASLC financial statements for the 2023 reporting period can be found below.