BTOG - British Thoracic Oncology Group

BTOG has released the second webcast in its Advocacy Training series for people with the lived experience of thoracic malignancy who may be interested in becoming involved as Patient Advocates in Research. Building on the first webcast, this session explores how patient advocates can contribute meaningfully throughout the research process, from the development of grant applications through to understanding and interpreting research results. Dr Cecilia Pompili discusses how patient advocates can help shape research proposals by asking important practical questions: does this matter to patients, would the burden be acceptable, are the right outcomes being measured, and how will participants hear about the results? Professor Allan Hackshaw then explains why research findings need to be evaluated carefully, including how new treatments are compared with standard care, how benefits can be measured, and why it is important to weigh benefits against side effects, symptoms and quality of life. The webcast concludes with a fireside chat with Sally Hall, who shares her experience as a patient advocate and reflects on the importance of early involvement, plain language, realistic time commitments, training, support and the value of bringing the patient perspective into every stage of research. This webcast is suitable for patients, survivors, caregivers and anyone with lived experience of thoracic malignancy who may be interested in Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) in research.

This first-in-a-series BTOG Webcast includes an introduction from Cecilia Pompili and then Allan Hackshaw looks at what training and support a patient advocate could be offered when they take part in the development of research proposals.  The webcast concludes with a “fireside chat” with Sally Hall who is an established patient advocate.  The role of a patient advocate in research is often referred to as PPI - PPI stands for Patient and Public Involvement.

In this BTOG podcast, Dr Tom Newsom-Davis, Chair of BTOG and Consultant Thoracic Medical Oncologist at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, is joined by Dr Joanne Evans, Consultant in Medical Oncology at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, and Adam Januszewski, Consultant Medical Oncologist at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, to discuss key lung cancer highlights from ASCO 2026. The panel reviews major data across advanced and early-stage lung cancer, including HARMONi-6, WUKONG-28, ALKOVE-1, OPTITROP-Lung05 and LORIN, as well as updates from CROWN, LIBRETTO-432, CHRYSALIS-2 and DELLphi-304. Topics include emerging antibody-drug conjugates, targeted treatments for EGFR exon 20 insertions, ALK-positive disease, perioperative therapy, atypical EGFR mutations, RET-positive disease and CNS activity in small cell lung cancer. The discussion considers what the data may mean for UK practice, where further global evidence is needed, and how efficacy, toxicity and patient selection should shape future treatment decisions.

In this BTOG webcast and podcast, Dr Clive Peedell is joined by Dr John Conibear and Rebecca Pickles to discuss key thoracic oncology highlights from ESTRO 2026. The conversation covers single-fraction SABR for early-stage lung cancer, radiotherapy and immunotherapy sequencing, approaches for frailer patients with stage III disease, palliative and consolidative radiotherapy in stage IV disease, and the growing role of AI, adaptive radiotherapy and radiographer-led services. The speakers reflect on what the latest data could mean for clinical practice, while also considering the practical realities of delivering high-quality radiotherapy in busy NHS departments.

BTOG Steering Committee Members, Tanya Patrick and Neal Navani have reviewed the new 9th Edition TNM Lung Cancer Classification and produced: Webcast running through TNM9 in detail   A full presentation to accompany the webcast which you can use to present to your team   A brief presentation highlighting what has changed which you can use to present to your team   BTOG is hoping to receive a stock of the laminated reference cards from IASLC to give out at BTOG events but in the meantime you can access PDF or buy online (free for IASLC members)