TROG WORKING PARTY IN FOCUS: 31 July 2025

To mark World Lung Cancer Day on 1 August, we asked Deputy Chair of the TROG Lung Working Party, Dr Yu Yang Soon, to share insights about his own research and how the Lung Working Party is helping to progress research in this important area.

Dr Soon is a Radiation Oncologist at the National University Cancer Institute, Singapore and the University of Sydney, and Co-Chair of the TROG 17.02 – OUTRUN trial.

1. What area of lung cancer research is your work focused on?

My research focused on central nervous system (CNS) metastases from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), particularly in those with actionable mutations. I am interested in optimising the integration of radiotherapy with CNS penetrating therapies to improve outcomes for these patients. 

2. Why are clinical trials focused on radiation therapy important in improving outcomes for lung cancer?

Radiotherapy is a cornerstone of lung cancer treatment across all stages. As our understanding of tumour biology grows and novel treatments emerge, clinical trials are crucial for determining how radiotherapy can be optimally personalised or combined with these advancements.

 3. In your career, have you seen many changes in the way lung cancer is managed or treated in response to emerging research evidence?

Several key changes stand out:

• Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy (SABR) has become the standard of care for early-stage NSCLC and is increasingly used in oligometastatic disease.
• The management of CNS metastases has transformed with CNS-penetrant drug therapies, reducing reliance on cranial radiotherapy.
• Prophylactic cranial irradiation in small cell lung cancer has largely been replaced by MRI brain surveillance, sparing patients from unnecessary neurocognitive toxicity.

4. What role does the TROG Lung Working Party play in progressing research in this area?

The TROG Lung working party identifies high-priority research questions, particularly where the role of radiotherapy is uncertain, and designs trials to address them.

By fostering collaboration across institutions in Australia and other countries, the working party can help define how modern radiotherapy techniques can be best integrated with other modern systemic and local treatments to improve patient outcomes. 

• Find out more about TROG Committees, Working Parties and Special Interest Groups