Methodology of clinical trials in lung cancer.

The identification of new targets in cancer biology has changed the traditional approach to cancer diagnosis and treatment and therefore also to drug development. The classical 'one size fits all' approach needed to be modified into a tailored approach that took into account the patient-to-patient variation. Innovative trials are warranted, based on the integration of new types of design and integrating the knowledge coming from new disciplines like bioinformatics, biostatistics, epidemiology and health economics. Several initiatives have started at national levels but also in large pan-European academic organizations [like the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC)] in the scope of generating a harmonized healthcare landscape across Europe.