"This is the largest study in lung cancer comparing an oral biologic therapy to chemotherapy, and shows, for the first time, that an oral biologic therapy is just as effective as chemotherapy," said Kim, the study's corresponding author. "Based on our findings, I'm hopeful that Iressa can return as a treatment for lung cancer in the United States, offering this some patients a therapy with far fewer side effects."

The collaboration facilitates interactions between physicians and scientists in both organizations to combine resources and expertise in disease intervention while providing flexibility to work in a variety of ways and accelerate the development of new treatments. It is unusual in its focus on pre-clinical research and the transition to clinical trials and was the first of its kind for both institutions.