The Global Fight Against Lung Cancer: A Conversation with WHO's José Luis Castro

The 2026 World Conference on Lung Cancer brings together leading experts, researchers, and oncologists to showcase the latest advancements in lung cancer research. To reach a global audience, IASLC has recorded podcast episodes on WCLC 2026 in world languages. In this episode, host Dr. Chunxia Su moderates a discussion in Mandarin Chinese about breakthrough advances in thoracic oncology presented at the conference with Dr. Zhengfei Zhu, Dr. Yun Fan, and Dr. Dongsheng Yue. Guests: Dr. Yun Fan, MD, PhD Chief Expert of the Multidisciplinary Lung Cancer Team, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital; Senior Consultant (Grade II Chief Physician); Doctoral Supervisor Dr. Dongsheng Yue, MD, PhD Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital Dr. Zhengfei Zhu, MD, PhD Department of Radiation Oncology Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center

In this special WCLC 2026 episode of Lung Cancer Considered, hosts Dr. Narjust Florez and Dr. Stephen Liu discuss daily highlights from the conference and ask what changes in clinic on Monday. A ROS1 drug that protects the brain and a first line combination that could not beat a decade old standard. Dr. Alexander Drilon brings the first line ARROS-1 data on zidesamtinib, and Dr. Giannis Mountzios walks us through EVOKE-03, sacituzumab govitecan plus pembrolizumab in PD-L1 high lung cancer. Guests: Alexander Drilon, MD Chief, Early Drug Development Service Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Professor, Weill Cornell Medical College Attending Physician, Thoracic Oncology Service Giannis Mountzios, MD, MSc, PhD Medical Oncologist and Director at the 4th Oncology Department and Clinical Trials Unit Henry Dunant Hospital Center Athens, Greece,

From the IASLC 2026 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) in Seoul, Dr. Narjust Florez talks with Dr. Chad Rusthoven about MAVERICK, the trial that tested MRI surveillance alone against prophylactic cranial irradiation in small cell lung cancer, and with Dr. Chul Kim about the final overall survival results of PAPILLON, amivantamab plus chemotherapy in EGFR exon 20 insertion NSCLC. Both guests share what patients and community oncologists should take from the data. Guests: Chul Kim, MD, MPH Thoracic Medical Oncologist and Associate Professor Georgetown University Chad G. Rusthoven, MD Adjunct Associate Professor University of Colorado University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Get ready for WCLC 2026 in Seoul with Lung Cancer Considered hosts Dr. Stephen Liu and Dr. Narjust Florez. From preparing for the flight and beating jet lag to navigating COEX, networking, exploring Seoul’s food scene, and making the most of the meeting, they share practical tips to help attendees arrive prepared and enjoy the full WCLC experience.

In this episode, Dr. Narjust Florez is joined by Dr. Yasir Elamin and Dr. Liliana Faroni to explore the evolving management of oligometastatic lung cancer. They break down key definitions, discuss when and how to use consolidative therapies like radiation and surgery, and examine patient selection, limitations, and emerging tools such as ctDNA that are shaping a more precise approach to care. Guests: Yasir Elamin, MD Associate Professor of Thoracic Medical University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Liliana Faroni, MD, PhD Radiation Oncologist, Oncologia D’Or Rio de Janeiro

In this Korean-language episode of Lung Cancer Considered, Dr. Chul Kim is joined by Dr. Hye-Ryun Kim and Dr. Young Kwang Chae to discuss the evolving role of immunotherapy across the lung cancer treatment continuum. They explore perioperative strategies for resectable NSCLC, treatment selection and biomarkers in advanced disease, emerging research, and what they are looking forward to at WCLC 2026 in Seoul. Guest Host: Chul Kim, MD, MPH Thoracic Medical Oncologist and Associate Professor Georgetown University Guests: Hye Ryun Kim, MD, PhD Medical Oncologist Chief of Lung Cancer Center Yonsei Cancer Center Young Kwang Chae, MD, MPH, MBA Professor, Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Medicine Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

Host Dr. Stephen Liu is joined by José Luis Castro, WHO Director-General Special Envoy for Chronic Respiratory Diseases, for a thought-provoking discussion on why lung cancer must be recognized as a global health priority. They explore the challenges of raising awareness, reducing stigma, expanding equitable access to lung cancer screening and care, and advancing the policies and partnerships needed to improve outcomes worldwide. The conversation also offers a preview of Castro's keynote message ahead of his appearance at the 2026 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) in Seoul this September. Guest: José Luis Castro World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Special Envoy for Chronic Respiratory Diseases

In this episode of Lung Cancer Considered, host Dr. Narjust Florez is joined by Dr. Mark Lewis and Dr. Michael Maddaus for a candid conversation about physician wellness, burnout, grief, and resilience. Drawing from their personal and professional experiences, they explore the hidden emotional toll of caring for patients with cancer, the limitations of the “just be more resilient” mindset, and the importance of self-compassion, vulnerability, and seeking support. Dr. Mark Lewis is Director of Gastrointestinal Oncology at Intermountain Health. He has become a leading voice on physician well-being, patient-centered care, and the emotional realities of oncology practice. Dr. Michael Maddaus is a cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon at the University of Minnesota.

As part of IASLC’s ongoing series of Lung Cancer Considered podcasts in world languages, Dr. Molly Li moderates a discussion in Cantonese with Dr. Tony Mok, Dr. Chao Zhang, and Dr. Wen-Zhao Zhong. The discussion reviews advances in ALK+ non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Thymic epithelial tumors are rare but complex thoracic cancers that require specialized diagnosis and multidisciplinary management. In this episode of Lung Cancer Considered, Dr. Stephen Liu is joined by Dr. Nicolas Girard and Dr. Erica Pietroluongo to discuss the diagnosis, staging, and treatment of thymoma and thymic carcinoma, including current standards of care, evolving systemic therapies, and promising areas of research. They also highlight the importance of international collaboration in advancing care for patients with these rare malignancies. Guests: Nicolas Girard, MD, PhD Head of the Thorax Institute Curie Montsouris, Institut Curie, Paris, France Erica Pietroluongo, MD, PhD Medical Oncologist, University Federico II, Naples Visiting Scholar, University of Chicago