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IASLC Fred R. Hirsch Award for Translational Research

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Jianjun Zhang received the 2026 IASLC Fred R. Hirsch Award for Translational Research in recognition of his contributions to translational research in lung cancer, including tumor evolution, immunotherapy, biomarker development and lung cancer interception.

Breakthrough Discoveries Program Award

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Jianjun Zhang and collaborators Humam Kadara and Seyed Moghaddam were selected as recipients of UT MD Anderson’s Breakthrough Discoveries Program for their project, “Triple-I Intercept: Precision Interception of Lung Cancer Evolution Driven by Injury, Inflammation and IL-1 Signaling.” The team will receive up to $3 million per year for three years to advance innovative strategies for lung cancer interception. The award period begins September 1, 2026.

Review Paper on Lung Cancer Screening and Interception

Read article in Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology Opens a new window

Jianjun Zhang and collaborators published a review in Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology highlighting innovative approaches to lung cancer screening and interception and emerging strategies for identifying and intercepting lung cancer at its earliest stages.

Cancer Cell Study on Lung Precancer Interception

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Jianjun Zhang and collaborators published a study in Cancer Cell revealing the molecular and immune evolution of lung adenocarcinoma precursors and identifying TIM-3 as a potential therapeutic target for lung cancer interception. The study provides new insights into how lung precancers progress toward invasive cancer and highlights opportunities for early intervention.

Hearst Health Prize Finalist

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The UT MD Anderson Data Science Team, under the leadership of Jia Wu, a critical investigator in the Lung Cancer Interception Program led by Jianjun Zhang, was selected as one of two finalists on June 4.