Updated lung cancer screening model for real-world populations
Recalibrating the Lung Cancer Policy Model to Address Lung Cancer Risk and Lung Cancer Screening Practices in Real-World Populations
This project updates a computer model so it more accurately predicts lung cancer risk and screening outcomes for people with a smoking history and other groups eligible for low-dose CT screening.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11110904 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will recalibrate the Lung Cancer Policy Model (LCPM) using real-world data on who actually gets screened and on diverse smoking patterns. They will change assumptions about screening uptake (which is currently under 6% among eligible people) and about how smoking intensity relates to risk, then run simulations of different screening scenarios. The team will compare outcomes like cancers detected, lives saved, and costs under these more realistic conditions. The goal is to produce results that better reflect how screening works in everyday practice and that can inform screening guidance and policy.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: The findings are most relevant to adults who are current or former smokers and who meet or are near current low-dose CT screening eligibility criteria.
Not a fit: People with no smoking history or very low lung cancer risk are unlikely to see direct changes from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to screening recommendations and policies that better target people at risk and make more effective use of screening resources.
How similar studies have performed: Large trials and prior models have shown low-dose CT screening can reduce lung cancer deaths, but recalibrating models to reflect real-world screening rates and varied smoking patterns is a newer effort.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yang, Chi-Fu — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Yang, Chi-Fu
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.