Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at https://tcr.amegroups.com/article/view/10.21037/tcr-2025-1753/coif). A.C. reports an Entry Level Scholarship (Wellbeing of Women Society and British Gynaecological Cancer Society) (paid to institution). N.N. reports Consulting fees from Amgen, Astra Zeneca, AXANA, BeiGene, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Daiichi Sankyo, EQRx, Fujifilm, Guardant Health, Intuitive, Janssen, Lilly, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Olympus, Roche and Sanofi; honoraria from Astra Zeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, Fujifilm, Intuitive, Janssen, Lilly, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Olympus, Sanofi and Roche. He reports grants from the Medical Research Council Clinical Academic Research Partnership, CRUK, NIHR, Horizon Europe and UKRI. He reports support for attending meetings and/or travel from Astra Zeneca, Fujifilm, Intuitive, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Olympus. He has a leadership in role Steering committee British Thoracic Oncology Group, Director of UK Lung Cancer Coalition and Senior Clinical Lead of National Lung Cancer Audit. C.T.H. reports a grant from Cancer Research UK, payment/honoraria from Merck for educational events, support for travel to meeting from Genesiscare UK, British Thoracic Oncology Group and the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer, planned patent for an immunotherapy novel target, participating on a Data Safety Monitoring Board or Advisory Board for the British Thoracic Oncology Group Research Committee, a leadership role at Genesiscare UK and stock/stock options at Genesiscare UK. The other author has no conflicts of interest to declare.