The lung cancer program is a highly interdisciplinary group of investigators dedicated to reducing the incidence and subsequent mortality of lung cancer. Our program, the larger, most experienced of its kind in the Pacific Northwest, fosters interdisciplinary research in basic science, genetics, clinical medicine, cancer prevention, and epidemiology between faculty at Fred Hutch Cancer Center, the University of Washington, and the clinical community to improve lung cancer prevention, detection, diagnosis and treatment.
Our researchers are combining laboratory and clinical studies focused on improving lung cancer survival.Pulmonologists, chest radiologists, medical oncologists, thoracic surgeons, and radiation oncologists offer comprehensive services for both diagnosis and treatment, and offers access to numerous clinical trials for novel lung cancer therapeutics.
The Lung Cancer Early Detection Clinic offers state-of-the-art diagnostic services including SuperDimension CT and Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) for optimal work-up of pulmonary nodules. UW Medical is one of only 30 centers in the country offering a minimally invasive technique known as video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) to remove early stage lung cancer.
Research
Our highly–experienced lung cancer translational research team is composed of laboratory and population scientists who work closely with clinicians and surgeons to provide the latest in diagnostic tools, targeted therapies and surgical techniques available.
Fred Hutch researchers are leading a team that discovered proteins in the blood associated with early lung cancer development and continue their efforts to discover early indicators for lung cancer in nonsmokers. Our team utilizes an extensive bank of lung cancer specimens used for translational research projects and development of personalized therapies.
Dr. A. McGarry Houghton
STTR Lung Cancer Deputy Director
Dr. Houghton is a pulmonologist specializing in critical care, pulmonary complications of malignant disease, and lung cancer. He has conducted research on lung cancer, COPD/emphysema, acute lung injury, pulmonary infections, and pulmonary fibrosis. His group is investigating the role of innate immune cells within the tumor microenvironment, beginning with how they have been recruited, and followed by understanding of the mechanism by which a specific immune cell effector has impacted lung tumor growth.
