Borne the Battle #285: The Lung Precision Oncology Program (LPOP)

On this episode of Borne the Battle, Pablo Meza interviews Dr. Gregory Holt about the Lung Precision Oncology Program, also known as LPOP. This initiative targets better and more accessible lung cancer care and treatments for Veterans.

Differing from other lung cancer care programs, LPOP underlines its commitment to coordinated efforts, targeted therapies, advancements in research, and a shared mission to support and better inform Veterans. Holt is a board-certified Pulmonary and Critical Care physician and an associate professor at the University of Miami, in addition to his work at the Miami VA Healthcare System.

Holt describes the main objective of LPOP as “finding out what broke.” This refers to the identification and examination of tumors found in the lungs. With lung cancer being one of the most common and deadliest cancers in Veterans, LPOP focuses on finding the cancer while it’s still in its earliest stages. This is possible with the targeted therapy of LPOP, which includes regular lung cancer screening and a technology called “navigational bronchoscopy.”

According to Holt, lung cancer screenings are the first steps in detecting tumors in the lungs through CT scans. However, navigational bronchoscopy, a non-invasive technology that produces GPS mappings of tumors, allows specialists to not only determine whether there is cancer, but also its stage. By identifying key factors such as the type of cancer and how far along it is, personalized treatments are made available based on the patient’s specific needs or the molecular makeup of the tumor. These technological advancements narrow down the most effective treatments and medicines specifically for the patient.

Ultimately, LPOP’s goal is to spread awareness and encourage Veterans to get lung cancer screenings. However, LPOP also strives to create this community within the healthcare sphere that pushes for scientific research and advancements in order to create the best treatments for lung cancer. With LPOP having hub sites across the country, the program emphasizes that everyone can be a part of this ongoing, cutting-edge research. Functioning like a nationwide network, these LPOP sites all have the same technology and credentials that contribute to science and research in cancer treatment.

With LPOP being accessible all over the country, Veterans at high risk are able to get the lung cancer screenings they need, with treatments being equally available. In addition, Veterans are able to become a part of the scientific advancements in research while also receiving state-of-the-art clinical care.

https://www.lungcancerkiltsresearchcures.org/

The Great American Smokeout

Join us at the Miami VA Lung Health Fair on Nov. 15. For more information, click more info or reach out to Elizabeth.Balbin@va.gov.