The 2024 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) marks the 50th anniversary of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC). This milestone celebration will feature unique activities commemorating IASLC’s rich history, under the theme "Across the Decades." The event will be held on September 8 in San Diego’s famous Gaslamp Quarter, where attendees can enjoy local cuisine, dance, and commemorative attire throughout the evening.

In an interview with The American Journal of Managed Care, WCLC 2024 Chair Dr. Sandip Patel, an oncologist and professor of medicine at the University of California, San Diego, shared his insights into the most anticipated aspects of this year’s conference.

1. What are the main goals of this year’s WCLC?

Dr. Sandip Patel: The 2024 WCLC will be held in San Diego, and this is truly a significant moment for IASLC. Over the past 50 years, the IASLC has been dedicated to the international community, focusing on the prevention, treatment, and care of patients with thoracic malignancies. Special events are being planned to reflect on IASLC’s history and look toward the future, identifying what priorities should guide the effort to combat one of the world’s deadliest cancers.

Some of the most anticipated sessions will focus on the advances in molecular therapies, progress in immunotherapy, and improvements in screening, diagnostics, and supportive care for patients with thoracic cancers.

2. What themes do you expect to be at the forefront of WCLC 2024?

Dr. Sandip Patel: Two particularly unique sessions are closely tied to IASLC’s 50th anniversary. One is a special plenary session that will look back at IASLC’s history, and the other is the celebratory event in the Gaslamp Quarter, where attendees can experience the organization’s growth over the decades. IASLC has always been committed to international collaboration, and the opening day of the conference features workshops on partnerships with Asia and organizations focused on lung cancer screening. I think these sessions will be quite compelling.

In addition, WCLC 2024 will host several IASLC-affiliated meetings, including workshops guiding early-career researchers through the clinical trial process and the IASLC grant application system. So, I believe this conference offers something for everyone, bringing together a global, multidisciplinary audience to strategize the best ways to combat lung cancer.

3. What do you hope attendees will take away from WCLC 2024?

Dr. Sandip Patel: I hope attendees leave with a clear understanding of IASLC’s mission and global goals, particularly its efforts to increase access to clinical trials and generate research data that better represent patients worldwide. Bringing together specialists from around the globe allows for sharing the latest data on specific molecular subtypes or biomarker-defined patient populations, as well as cutting-edge developments across multiple disciplines on preventing, treating, and mitigating lung cancer risk.

What makes WCLC 2024 truly special is the 50th anniversary celebration. We’ll be reflecting on IASLC’s 50-year history while also looking forward, imagining what the next 50 years of IASLC might hold.