Invitation to Contribute to the Thematic Issue: "Recent Advances in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Lung Cancer"

Acta Medica Academica, September 2026

 

Prof. Dr. Semir Vranić, College of Medicine, Qatar University & Academy of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Prof. Dr. Gordan Srkalović, University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Herbert-Herman Cancer Center & Academy of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina

 

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to invite you to contribute to a thematic issue of Acta Medica Academica, the official journal of the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This thematic issue will focus on "Recent Advances in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Lung Cancer" and will be published in September 2026.

Lung cancer continues to be one of the leading causes of cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide, with both non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC) presenting significant challenges in early detection, treatment, and management. In this thematic issue, we aim to bring together cutting-edge research, clinical practices, and multidisciplinary approaches that will improve outcomes for patients diagnosed with lung cancer.

Key Topics to be Covered:

1. Molecular Mechanisms and Genetic Markers in Lung Cancer
• Advances in understanding the molecular pathways involved in NSCLC and SCLC.
• The role of genetic mutations, EGFR, ALK, ROS1, and KRAS mutations, and their implications for targeted therapies.
• Liquid biopsy and its emerging role in early detection and monitoring of treatment response.
2. Screening and Early Detection
• New developments in lung cancer screening methods: low-dose CT, biomarker-based screening, and their application in high-risk populations.
• The use of advanced imaging technologies, such as PET-CT and MRI, in early diagnosis.
3. Radiotherapy in Lung Cancer
• Innovative approaches in radiotherapy for lung cancer, including stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) and proton therapy.
• The role of radiation sensitizers and overcoming radioresistance.
4. Surgical Interventions and Precision Medicine
• The evolution of surgical techniques in lung cancer treatment: minimally invasive surgery and robotic-assisted thoracic surgery.
• The integration of precision medicine in the management of early-stage and advanced lung cancer.
5. Chemotherapy and Targeted Therapy
• Chemotherapy regimens and their place in modern treatment protocols for NSCLC and SCLC.
• The development and application of targeted therapies, including immune checkpoint inhibitors (e.g., nivolumab, pembrolizumab) and monoclonal antibodies.
6. Immunotherapy in Lung Cancer
• The expanding role of immunotherapy in lung cancer treatment: PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, CTLA-4 inhibitors, and their combination with chemotherapy.
• Challenges and future directions in immunotherapy for SCLC and NSCLC, including biomarker-driven approaches.
7. Management of Advanced and Metastatic Disease
• Systemic treatments for metastatic lung cancer, including the role of targeted therapies and combination regimens.
• Management strategies for brain and bone metastases in lung cancer patients.
8. Palliative Care and Quality of Life
• Strategies to enhance quality of life in patients with advanced lung cancer, including symptom management and palliative care.
• The role of supportive therapies in reducing treatment-related side effects and improving overall patient well-being.
9. Global Challenges and Healthcare Systems
• Access to lung cancer diagnostics and treatment in low- and middle-income countries.
• Health disparities, economic barriers, and strategies for improving access to innovative therapies globally.
10. Future Directions and Emerging Therapies
• Ongoing clinical trials, novel drug developments, and emerging treatments.
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning in improving diagnostics, predict outcomes, and personalize treatment plans.

Submission Information:

We welcome contributions in the form of original research, review articles, and case reports addressing the above topics. Please submit your manuscripts following the journal's submission guidelines. The full details for submission, including the formatting guidelines, are available on the journal's website.

The submission deadline is August 1, 2026, and we look forward to receiving your valuable contributions that will help us shape the future of lung cancer research and clinical care.

Multidisciplinary Meeting and Issue Launch

In conjunction with this thematic issue, we will also be hosting a one-day multidisciplinary meeting in September 2026. The meeting will gather locally and internationally recognized experts in lung cancer, providing a platform for discussion, collaboration, and exchange of the latest scientific findings and clinical practices.

We hope that the thematic issue and meeting will serve as a springboard for further collaboration and innovation in the fight against lung cancer.