Dr. John Kelvin Lalusis - Medical Oncologist Lung Cancer Specialist

10/09/2026

While two of my colleagues were initially selected to present our group's clinical case, the opportunity ultimately passed to me. I was happy to step up to the podium and represent our group at the 2026 Korean Association for Lung Cancer (KALC) Workshop for International Young Members at Konkuk University Medical Center in Seoul.

Sharing our complex scenario sparked an invaluable multidisciplinary discussion:
🔹 Navigating definitive chemoradiation for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
🔹 Managing curative-intent care for a patient with a prior heart transplant on active immunosuppressive therapy.

Beyond the clinical insights, this workshop underscored the vital importance of regional collaboration. It was a true honor to share our local perspective and represent the Philippines alongside my fellow Filipino delegates, joining colleagues from Malaysia, India, Vietnam, Singapore, Japan, Mongolia, South Korea, Bangladesh, Taiwan, and Thailand.

As oncology practitioners across Asia, we share many parallel challenges in advancing precision lung cancer care, while also navigating the unique realities of our respective healthcare landscapes back home.

I extend my sincere gratitude to the organizers and our esteemed Korean faculty for facilitating such a productive event. It was a pleasure to connect and exchange insights with so many dedicated colleagues. I look forward to bringing these global learnings back to the Philippines to continue elevating the care we provide to our patients! 🇵🇭

09/09/2026

𝐋𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝟕𝟓𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐬𝐢𝐚 𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜
Angeles G. Casabuena, Jr.

QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES — A Philippine healthcare institution dedicated to breathing life into the nation has made a powerful mark on the Asia-Pacific healthcare landscape.

The Lung Center of the Philippines (LCP) has been recognized by Newsweek International in 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐬𝐢𝐚-𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 under Pulmonology specialty care, ranking in 75th spot. This is placing the country’s premier respiratory specialty institution among the region’s leading centers for specialized medical care. 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐠𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞.

The recognition, featured in Newsweek’s July 2026 issue, is more than a number, it is a global affirmation of the expertise, dedication, and specialized service that the institution has built for patients with complex respiratory conditions.

The distinction carries particular weight because Newsweek as a well-known international publication and Statista, a globally recognized market research firm, jointly developed the 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐀𝐬𝐢𝐚 𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠. Now on its fourth edition, the prestigious regional assessment evaluates leading institutions across the Asia-Pacific healthcare landscape.

According to Newsweek issue, this year’s ranking reached a significant scale, covering 925 premier hospitals across 10 medical specialties, based on new discipline and expanded regional coverage. In its article, the said ranking was designed to cut through complicated medical jargon and help patients identify institutions leading in specialized care, research, technology, and patient outcomes.

For the Lung Center of the Philippines, the recognition resonates deeply with its role as the country’s National Specialty Center for Respiratory Health. Its specialized pulmonary services, together with its multidisciplinary approach to respiratory diseases, lung cancer, critical care, thoracic conditions, diagnostics, surgery, rehabilitation, and other complex pulmonary concerns, position the institution at the forefront of respiratory medicine in the Philippines.

The No. 75th rank in Asia-Pacific placement demonstrates that the expertise developed within the institution is not merely relevant locally, it is being recognized within a highly competitive regional healthcare environment.

As Newsweek healthcare editor Alexis Kayser explained on its article that the ranking serves as a guide for patients toward Asia-Pacific institutions that are leading the way such as in life-saving research, advanced technology, and exceptional specialized patient outcomes that are every specialty hospital prioritizes.

In a region where medical institutions continually pursue advanced technology, research, quality improvement, and better patient outcomes, LCP’s inclusion signals that Filipino respiratory healthcare can stand at par with specialized institutions across Asia-Pacific.

Behind this milestone is the leadership of Dr. Jubert P. Benedicto, Executive Director of the Lung Center of the Philippines and LCP’s management, whose vision continues to steer the institution toward sustained excellence, innovation, and responsive public healthcare. Under this direction, the recognition becomes not simply an institutional achievement but a reflection of a continuing commitment to elevate the Center as a center of excellence in respiratory health.

To every ranking is a workforce that makes excellence possible. The achievement belongs to the physicians and healthcare specialists, nurses, allied health professionals, technical personnel, administrative teams, and support healthcare workers whose expertise and commitment sustain the Lung Center every day.

The collective work from the operating room and intensive care units to laboratories, diagnostic services, nursing stations, rehabilitation areas, and patient-support services which translates global standards into compassionate care at the bedside. Lung Center of the Philippines place at 𝐍𝐨. 𝟕𝟓 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐬𝐢𝐚-𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐍𝐨. 𝟏 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 therefore stands as a proud reminder that from the humble heart of Quezon City, the Lung Center of the Philippines is helping put Filipino respiratory healthcare firmly on the regional map, once bringing excellence to the global arena.

06/09/2026

Ang kanser ay hindi death sentence.

Sa bawat pasyenteng patuloy na kumakapit sa pag-asa, ipagpatuloy ang laban. Hindi ka nag-iisa ngayong umaga.

Ang PSMO ay narito para samahan ka sa yugtong ito, nakatuon sa mapagmalasakit at holistic cancer care para sa bawat pasyenteng Pilipino.

05/09/2026

When you break free from smoking, you significantly lower your risk of developing lung cancer while shielding those around you from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke. Pairing this vital step with balanced lifestyle choices and routine medical check-ups creates your strongest defense against respiratory diseases.

Consult a St. Luke’s Pulmonologist today to start your journey toward cleaner lungs and a smoke-free life! 🩺💙

19/08/2026

19/08/2026

09/08/2026

Don't let the cost of care stand in the way of getting the help you need.​​

Who qualifies for the Evelyn D. Ang - Dāna Charity Ward? This week's breaks down the criteria used by St. Luke's Medical Social Service Department — from combined family income and nature of illness, to household expenses and other support received.​​

Every question matters to us. Have one of your own? Send it our way!

08/08/2026

Too young for cancer? Think again.

There is an alarming rise in cancer diagnoses among adults in their 20s and 30s. A recent study reveals a key reason why: younger generations are biologically aging faster than their actual chronological age.

Due to highly sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy diets, and a chronic lack of proper sleep, cellular damage is accumulating much earlier compared to previous generations.

The bottom line:

1️⃣ Upgrade daily habits: Better sleep, active routines, and a balanced diet can actively slow down this cellular aging.

2️⃣ Listen to the body: Never ignore persistent symptoms just because of a young age. Early detection saves lives.

Cancer is no longer strictly an older person’s disease. Prioritizing proactive health and routine medical check-ups is more important than ever.

Read the full article here:

Researchers are observing certain age-related types of cancer more frequently in younger people. A new study suggests this could be because younger generations are aging faster than their parents or grandparents.

28/07/2026

Exciting news for precision medicine published this July 14, 2026! The FDA has officially granted full traditional approval to selpercatinib (Retevmo) for adult and pediatric patients (≥2 years old) with locally advanced or metastatic RET fusion-positive solid tumors.

While selpercatinib is widely recognized in RET-driven non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), this milestone moves well beyond lung cancer—solidifying a full tumor-agnostic approval across diverse malignancies (including pancreatic, colorectal, breast, and soft tissue sarcomas).

Key Clinical Trial Results (LIBRETTO-001 / Non-NSCLC & Thyroid Cohort):
• Overall Response Rate (ORR): 47%
• Median Duration of Response (mDOR): 24.5 months
This is a major step forward in targeting genomic drivers regardless of where the tumor originates!

🔗 Read the full FDA announcement here:

https://www.fda.gov/drugs/resources-information-approved-drugs/fda-grants-traditional-approval-selpercatinib-locally-advanced-or-metastatic-ret-fusion-positive

FDA grants traditional approval to selpercatinib for locally advanced or metastatic RET fusion-positive solid tumors

24/07/2026

Huge milestone for precision oncology! 🧬 The US FDA has approved Jideytro (zidesamtinib) for previously treated ROS1-positive NSCLC, showing durable responses (44% ORR), CNS pe*******on, and activity against key resistance mutations (ARROS-1 trial). A vital addition to our armamentarium against ROS1+ lung cancer! 🫁✨

FDA 🇺🇸 has approved zidesamtinib
a selective ROS1 inhibitor, for adults with locally advanced or metastatic ROS1-positive previously treated with a ROS1 kinase inhibitor. Approval, based on the ARROS-1 phase I/II trial showing durable responses, arrived ahead of schedule following Breakthrough Therapy and Orphan Drug designations.

https://www.gsk.com/en-gb/media/press-releases/jideytro-zidesamtinib-approved-in-the-us-for-previously-treated-ros1-positive-non-small-cell-lung-cancer/