Nordic lung cancer research
Through Nordic cooperation, NTOG aims to strengthen clinical research, registry-based studies, translational science, education, and quality improvement in lung cancer care.
The Nordic Thoracic Oncology Group (NTOG) is a multidisciplinary network of clinicians and researchers working in lung cancer and thoracic oncology across the Nordic countries.
NTOG brings together expertise from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden to support research collaboration, education, clinical development, and improved care for patients with thoracic cancers.
Nordic collaboration is especially valuable because many modern lung cancer research questions require larger patient populations, comparable healthcare data, shared clinical expertise, and cross-country participation.
Research focus areas
NTOG research focuses on clinically important questions in lung cancer and thoracic oncology.
Clinical trial collaboration
Collaborative clinical studies in lung cancer treatment, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, multimodality care, early-stage disease, Stage III NSCLC, and small-cell lung cancer.
Nordic registries and quality indicators
Registry-based studies on diagnosis, treatment, survival, quality indicators, real-world outcomes, and variation in care across healthcare systems.
Screening and early detection
Low-dose CT screening, eligibility, recruitment, CT workflows, radiology reporting, incidental findings, smoking cessation, cost-effectiveness, and implementation.
Pulmonary nodule management
Pan-Nordic approaches to pulmonary nodule follow-up, diagnostic pathways, screening integration, radiology reporting, and clinical guideline development.
Translational research and biomarkers
Tumour biology, molecular diagnostics, tissue studies, circulating tumour DNA, immune response, biomarkers, treatment selection, and resistance monitoring.
Digital tools and AI
Artificial intelligence, digital tools, imaging workflows, clinical decision support, registry research methods, and quality improvement in lung cancer care.
Key research themes
Many NTOG themes connect research, clinical practice, registry data, guideline development, and education.
These themes are suitable for Nordic comparison, collaborative research, shared protocol development, specialty group work, and quality improvement initiatives.
Why Nordic collaboration matters
Modern lung cancer is increasingly divided into smaller biological and clinical subgroups.
Many lung cancer research questions require larger patient populations, shared clinical expertise, and comparable healthcare data. Cross-country collaboration is therefore valuable for academic studies, registry research, biomarker projects, and clinical trials.
By working together, the Nordic countries can compare treatment pathways, evaluate outcomes, develop shared research questions, and create stronger evidence for improving lung cancer care.
The goal is to support research that can improve diagnosis, treatment, follow-up, quality of care, and outcomes for patients with lung cancer and other thoracic cancers.
Research through work packages
NTOG work packages organise practical collaboration and create routes for researchers and clinicians to contribute.
Work package descriptionsWP1: Information and Harmonisation of Data
Nordic registries and biobanks, common variables, frameworks for data collection and analysis.
WP2: Screening and Prevention
Joint Nordic LDCT screening protocol, prevention strategies, smoking cessation, and screening implementation.
WP3: Clinical Studies
Collaborative trials in early-stage lung cancer, immunotherapy, radiotherapy, and multimodality treatment.
WP4: Guidelines and Educational Activities
Consensus on Nordic guidelines, courses, seminars, congresses, and educational activities including NORTHDIP.
Research routes and resources
Move from overview to projects, publications, collaboration opportunities, expert contacts, protocols, and symposium activities.