LC in the News 2024-04-21
LC in the News 2024-04-16
LC in the News 2024-04-16
Advice and Insights from Author and Two-Time Cancer Survivor Kathy Giusti
Kathy Giusti joined LUNGevity for a special conversation about her life as a cancer patient, caregiver, and the founder and former CEO of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. Her involvement with the medical system from these different perspectives inspired her to write her recent book, Fatal to Fearless: 12 Steps to Beating Cancer in a Broken Medical System.
Advice from a Former Caregiver
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Mary Lynn’s Message: Be More than a Survivor, Be a Thriver
American Lung Association and LUNGevity Foundation Announce $3 Million Research Partnership to Intercept Lung Cancer
Meet HOPE Summit Keynote Speaker Sean Swarner
Cancer Grand Challenges Summit 2024: No Time to Waste in Addressing Some of Toughest Challenges in Cancer
Former KPMG Chairman and CEO Lynne Doughtie Assumes Role as Chair of LUNGevity’s Board of Directors
Doughtie brings decades of experience in leadership and business innovation to LUNGevity’s strategic direction
Leveraging Genetics to Understand Why Younger Adults Are Developing Lung Cancer
New Family Resources at HOPE Summit
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LC in the News 2024-03-06
Advocacy and Policy: What to Expect in Washington in 2024
Read Time: 2 minutes
The LUNGevity Action Network was joined by Monica Popp for a conversation about what’s happening in Washington, DC, this election year. Monica is a political strategist specializing in health policy, and she talked with us about these timely topics:
LC in the News 2024-02-20
Using T cells to Tackle Drug Resistance in EGFR+ Lung Cancer
Approximately 10%-15% of patients with non-small cell lung cancer have tumors with mutations in the EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) gene. EGFR mutations are known to drive cancer growth.
Caregiver Insights on the Emotional Toll of Lung Cancer
Bill Moren and Randall Barrett both have wives with lung cancer. Betty Moren and Katie Barrett were both diagnosed at stage IV. And all four are hoping for the same thing—staying on a stable path forward.
Even with these similarities, Bill and Randall approach caregiving differently. In separate conversations, they touch on the emotional toll of lung cancer and how they respond.
Diving Deeper: Targeted Therapy, Radiation, and Immunotherapy
Lung cancer experts from Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center dive into the how and why behind targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and
LUNGevity and Rising Tide Foundation Partner to Issue RFA for $1.5M to Improve Outcomes for People Living with Lung Cancer
Research aims to improve our ability to overcome shared mechanisms of drug resistance in lung adenocarcinoma
LUNGevity and RETpositive Issue RFA for Pan-Cancer Research Focused on RET Biomarker
Partnership creates new research award to help people living with all types of RET-positive cancer
LUNGevity and Hamoui Foundations Issue RFA for Research Into RET-positive Lung Cancer
Partnership aims to fill the need for lifesaving research in RET-positive lung cancer
LUNGevity Foundation Issues 12th Annual RFA for Career Development Awards in Support of Lung Cancer Workforce
Coveted research awards are a key step to encourage talented researchers to focus on lung cancer in their field of study
LUNGevity Issues RFA Focused on Immunotherapy Resistance in Lung Cancer
Award supports research in area of unmet need for patients treated with immunotherapy who are not eligible for a targeted therapy
Top 5 Most Popular Blogs from 2023
LUNGevity blogs share personal stories, research updates, scientific meeting takeaways, policy news, and much more. Joining our Email List will help you stay updated on these topics going forward, but listed below are the most popular blogs from 2023 to help you catch up on the ones you may have missed.
Lung Cancer Masterclass: Get Smart About Lung Cancer
In the past five years, the lung cancer community has seen an astonishing number of new treatments. As our understanding of lung cancer has deepened, the older treatment approaches have also become more effective and efficient.
These options are fantastic steps toward improving the overall survival and quality of life for people living with lung cancer, but it can be difficult for patients and caregivers to keep track of the new drug treatments and scientific advancements.
Finding Balance in Life and Treatment with Marnie Clark
The symptoms that led Marnie Clark to her doctor were unusual. Her leg was feeling “weird,” but it was more of an annoyance than something she was concerned about. Then came an issue she couldn’t ignore—her leg was paralyzed, and she couldn’t move it.
“The doctor thought it had to be something physically wrong with my leg, but over the previous two years I started to take my health seriously and was working with a personal trainer. I was feeling strong, so it didn’t make sense that I had a physical problem with my leg,” says Marnie.
Cancer Survivorship Summit Brings Community Together to Share Experiences, Resources, and Hope
On October 16, LUNGevity participated in the first annual Cancer Survivorship Summit hosted by Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz in South Florida. The Summit featured an impressive lineup of speakers headlined by First Lady Jill Biden, Ed.D., as well as expert panels and a resource fair with local and national organizations providing information to attendees.
Early detection and prognosis of lung cancer using bioengineered implants
Dr. Ocadiz Ruiz proposes to develop a bioengineered scaffolding and test it in mouse models. If successful, this research could progress to a phase 1 clinical trial and lay the groundwork for a new technology to be used in individuals with increased risk of lung cancer. This technology has to potential to make biopsies and consequently, early detection, easier.
Research Summary
Technical Abstract
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer related death among women and men and the second most diagnosed cancer in the world, causing 1.8 million deaths annually. Surgical resection of the primary tumor is the standard of care whenever possible. However, 90% of lung cancer deaths are caused by metastases months-to-years after surgery. Current screening tools such as high-resolution Computed Tomography (CT) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) can only identify tumors that have reached a detectable size, that often correlates with advanced disease. However, this technology carries side problems, including the false positive rate that led to follow-up tests and invasive procedures that confers additional risks to patients.
Therapeutic strategies targeting specific driver mutations have emerged in recent years for the treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer and have improved survival, yet the initial identification of these molecular alterations depends on biopsies of metastatic lesions after the resection of the primary tumor. For biopsy, the metastatic lesion must be large enough to be detectable by clinical imaging tools, and this large lesion indicates a relatively advanced stage of disease. Biopsy of these lesions is often difficult from both location and patient-safety perspective. An emerging option is a blood draw or liquid biopsy to obtain circulation tumor DNA (ctDNA) for mutation analyses, yet the ctDNA is not abundant in circulation until relatively large metastases have already formed.
Therefore, novel, efficient, and affordable approaches are needed for disease surveillance. We propose a high sensitive, minimally-invasive and efficient cell capture device for easy isolation of tumor cells at early stages of disease, whose analysis can identify targeted therapeutics that can be applied while the disease burden and heterogeneity are low. Furthermore, this technology would increase the coverage of the eligible population and reduce the clinical costs by using histopathology analysis of the sentinel implant. This device is a porous biomaterial scaffold that, when implanted, is vascularized, and infiltrated by immune cells and subsequently cancer cells, acting as a synthetic sentinel niche that provides information about the disease development and progression. Our previous studies in breast and pancreatic cancer models have demonstrated that tumor cells are detectable early after tumor initiation and during the progression of the disease. A comparative analysis of scaffolds and ctDNA showed that the implant captured and therefore detected cancer cells before positive detection of ctDNA.
We will determine the genomic and transcriptomic prolife of inoculated lung cancer cells in PDX’s murine model at early time points. We anticipate that the tumor cells captured by the scaffolds will recapitulate the genotype of the parental PDX. The scaffold safety will be investigated in a Phase I clinical study of metastatic lung cancer patients implanted with our scaffold, with biopsy and subsequent removal to analyze captured cells. Sequencing analysis will be applied to captured cancer cells to assess their genomic and transcriptomic profile. We foresee the use of these bioengineered implants for surveillance in high-risk lung cancer patients, with analysis of the collected cells employed to identify personalized therapeutic strategies to improve patient outcome.
Comparative Effectiveness of Lung Cancer Screening Strategies
Dr. Benjamin’s research focuses on improving the rates of lung cancer screening. Currently, there is interest in “centralizing” lung cancer screening into self-contained programs or one-stop shops, with dedicated support staff and clinical personnel to coordinate shared decision-making, scheduling imaging, and arranging appropriate follow-up care. However, it is poorly understood how these centralized programs compare to “decentralized” screening that is coordinated by primary care physicians directly with their patients. Dr. Benjamin seeks to utilize nationwide longitudinal data from multiple lung cancer screening programs from the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System to evaluate and compare the performance of centralized versus decentralized screening programs, with particular focus on highlighting their effectiveness within various racial and income groups.
Research Summary
Technical Abstract
Eliminating Drug-Tolerant Persister Cells Through T-cell Engineering
In this project, Dr. Reuben and colleagues aim to develop a novel therapeutic strategy harnessing immune response in EGFR-mutant NSCLC. He will use engineered T cells with receptors targeting EGFR antigens to eradicate drug-tolerant persister (DTP) cells, preventing the emergence of resistance following treatment by osimertinib. This work lays the foundation for use of TCR-engineered T cells in treating patients with EGFR mutations.
Research Summary
Although targeted therapies are extremely effective in destroying tumors, they inevitably leave behind a few cancer cells which persist. These are the cells which eventually become resistant to therapy and lead to the death of patients. Although checkpoint blockade immunotherapy has been largely unsuccessful in EGFR-mutant tumors, immunotherapy via cell therapy may offer promise in this setting. EGFR mutations can give rise to short peptides at the surface of tumor cells, called antigens, which allow the immune system to distinguish tumors from their normal counterparts and to specifically destroy them. Importantly, we have identified several antigens that are found solely on or enriched within EGFR-mutant tumors persisting following treatment with EGFR targeted therapies such as osimertinib/Tagrisso. As a result, we have developed a library of receptors which can be engineered into immune cells to allow their direct recognition and destruction of persisting EGFR-mutant cancer cells on the basis of the unique antigens they display. Here, we propose to test a novel approach to eradicate these EGFR-mutant drug persister cells by treating them with engineered immune cells to eliminate the last remaining persister cell and prevent the emergence of resistance following exposure to osimertinib. Our proposal includes two aims: Aim 1 will focus on determining the impact of EGFR-mutant persister cells on the function of immune cells and on their ability to recognize and kill tumor cells. Aim 2 will focus on assessing the ability of receptor- engineered immune cells to eliminate EGFR persister cells when combined with EGFR targeted therapy in vitro and in vivo.
Together, these aims will allow us to determine the therapeutic potential of this novel treatment strategy approach. Our proposal is highly translational, as we have entered into a partnership with Alaunos Therapeutics, a cellular therapy company performing a clinical trial using engineered immune cells at MD Anderson which could facilitate our ability to move these findings into the clinic. Due to the prevalence of the antigens we are targeting (one of which is found in ~90% of lung cancer patients), our approach could extend to almost all patients harboring EGFR mutations.
Technical Abstract
Targeting CD74 to Overcome Resistance to EGFR Inhibitors in Lung Cancer
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) are a class of drugs that are used to treat EGFR NSCLC. These drugs eventually stop working and some cancer cells called drug-tolerant persisters (DTPs) are implicated in this resistance. Dr. Kobayashi and his team have found that a protein called CD74 plays a role in developing a resistance to osimertinib. In this project, he will investigate whether CD74-expressing cells allow for the development of DTPs and if inhibition of CD74 by combining an antibody-drug conjugate (CD74-MMAE) with osimertinib, prevents resistance. If successful, this has the potential to significantly impact the survival of EGFR patients by allowing them to stay on osimertinib for a longer duration.
Research Summary
Technical Abstract
Integration of Liquid Biopsy Assays for the Early Detection of Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer-related deaths in the US because it is often found only after it has spread to other organs in the body, decreasing the likelihood of surviving at least 5 years after diagnosis. Only 21% of patients are diagnosed then their lung cancer is early stage, when it is most treatable. The goal of this project is to create a new way to screen for lung cancer using a blood sample that can find early stage disease when patients can still be treated and/or cured. In preliminary work, Dr. Diehn has developed a blood test that can identify tiny amounts of DNA from lung cancer cells and in this study he will improve this test and apply it to patients and healthy controls. If successful, Dr. Diehn’s work has the potential to significantly improve early detection of lung cancer and improve outcomes for patients.
Research Summary
Technical Abstract
Radiogenomic Biomarker and Multiomic Data Integration to Predict Radiation Response in Lung Cancer
Radiation therapy remains a cornerstone treatment for patients with locally advanced lung cancer, however knowing which patients will respond and which will not respond is still poorly understood. The goal of this project is to analyze genomic and radiomic data from patients with NSCLC to understand how tumors change during therapy and create models to predict therapeutic response that will assist with clinical decision making.
Research Summary
Technical Abstract
Radiation therapy is the single most utilized anti-cancer agent; nearly 70% of all cancer patients will receive radiation at some point in their cancer journey. Radiation plays a crucial role in almost half of all cancer cures. The sequencing of the human genome, completed nearly 20 years ago, followed by the large scale cancer sequencing effort in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) have provided an unprecedented understanding of cancers in the primary and metastatic setting. In those same years, medical oncology has undergone three major phase transitions: targeted therapies have changed the way we think many diseases with specific actionable mutations; immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of many of those without; and antibody-drug conjugates have increased the specificity of our cytotoxics. Radiation treatment decision making, however, has not seen these same changes from biological influences, instead having relied on advances in medical physics and computer science to drive our advances. While the number of trials has ballooned in radiation oncology of late, spurred on by encouragement, and funding, from pharmaceutical companies interested in the synergy between novel (and profitable) compounds in the form of immune checkpoint inhibitors and antibody-drug-conjugates, with radiation, our understanding of the relative benefits and best choices for individual patients has not seen the same increases. In fact, we have struggled to parse out the differences between these novel combinations and standard chemoradiotherapy in phase II trials, largely because of the combinatorial nature of our trials, and the sheer number of open questions. In this project, we seek to make headway toward personalizing radiation therapy treatment choices. Leveraging our experience in using gene signatures to predict individual patient radiation benefit, together with expertise in radiomics and genomics, we will track the progress and outcomes of patients with non-small cell lung cancer treated with standard of care chemoradiation using high resolution genomic and radiomic measures. The dynamics of these genomics through time will be correlated to the high temporal density radiomics features to allow for translation and generalization to all patients treated with modern technique. Through these complimentary -omic modalities, we aim to leverage our experience in creating signatures of therapeutic response to admit personalized treatment choice in the upfront setting, and opportunities to change course using real- time information gleaned from daily imaging. This pilot project will enable the development of novel multimodal data integration methodologies to interrogate radiation treatment response in a comprehensive manner.
Role of the RNA Modifier METTL3 in Lung Cancer
In this project, Dr. Trovero will study the role of METTL3, an RNA modifying protein that is thought to promote tumor initiation and progression. She will evaluate the function of METTL3 by increasing or decreasing its activity in vivo. Results from this study will help establish METTL3 as a possible therapeutic target for lung cancer, and pave the way for understanding the relationship between RNA modifiers and cancer biology.
Research Summary
Technical Abstract
Among mRNA modifications, N6- Methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant, catalyzed by a complex that includes methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3). Although the function of m6A in cancer remains understudied, Gregory’s lab provided functional evidence of METTL3 as an oncogenic protein, promoting translation of oncogenes to promote lung cancer cell growth, survival, and invasion in human cancer cell lines. Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most common form of lung cancer, with a survival rate of about 18%, highlighting the need for more effective treatments and understanding LUAD biology.
Our hypothesis: METTL3 is a novel oncogenic factor in lung cancer and plays a key role in tumor initiation and progression. I will test the role of METTL3 in a LUAD mouse model, and in tumor organoid culture system.
Aim 1: Determine the effects of METTL3 manipulation on tumor progression in a LUAD mouse model. Lentivirus will be used to knockdown or overexpress METTL3 simultaneously with activation of oncogenic Kras in the LUAD mouse model for comparison of tumor number, size and histopathological features.
Aim 2: Test the effects of METTL3 on early-stage lung cancer by manipulating METTL3 expression in a tumor organoid model of cancer initiation. Alveolar epithelial (AT2) cells from Kras mice will be infected with Cre and shMETTL3 or METTL3 cDNA to initiate early-stage lung cancer in organoid cultures, to assess organoid size, proliferation and differentiation features.
This proposal could establish METTL3 as a therapeutic target for lung cancer and pave the way for understanding links between epitranscriptome and cancer biology.
TROP2 Directed CAR T in NSCLC as a Strategy for Eradicating Persister MRD
This project proposes to develop novel therapeutic approaches to treat advanced EGFR-mutant NSCLC. CAR-T cell therapy is a type of immunotherapy treatment that uses genetically altered T cells to find and destroy cancer cells more effectively. TROP2 is a protein that is over expressed on the surface of NSCLC and is a target of the antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), sacitizumab-govitecan, which is FDA-approved to treat other solid tumors. Dr. Brea hypothesizes that TROP2-directed CAR-T targeting of EGFR-mutant NSCLC will be superior to standard Osimertinib treatment.
Research Summary
Technical Abstract
VA-CEDAR Tool for Equity in Lung Cancer Screening
The veteran population is disproportionately affected by lung cancer and relatively few patients that are eligible participate in lung cancer screening. This low participation is due to barriers such as provider bias, structural racism, patient mistrust, and fear of diagnosis. In this project, Dr. Navuluri proposes to develop and test an electronic shared decision-making aid and referral tool to improve equity in lung cancer screening (LCS). She will pilot test the aid to assess its feasibility and usability among patients and providers within the Durham VA system.
Research Summary
Technical Abstract
Role of KIRs in Regulating Anti-tumor Immunity and Autoimmunity
Checkpoint immunotherapy has advanced treatment of NSCLC, but the majority of patients do not experience long-term disease control and are at risk for autoimmune-related side effects. In this study, Dr. Tseng will examine specialized cells called CD8+ T that express receptors (KIR+) that suppress autoimmunity to understand how these cells regulate the immune system’s cancer-fighting ability during checkpoint immunotherapy treatment. Insights gained from this study could result in better strategies for improving efficacy while decreasing immune-related side effects.
Research Summary
Technical Abstract
The Germline-Somatic Interaction in Young-Onset Lung Cancer
Although the average age at diagnosis is 70, thousands of new patients under 45 are diagnosed with lung cancer every year, most of whom have never smoked. Dr. LoPiccolo hypothesizes that these patients may share inherited genetic changes that predispose them to developing lung cancer at a younger age. In a preliminary analysis of young-onset lung cancer patients, Dr. LoPiccolo has found that approximately 30% of these patients carry rare mutations in known cancer-associated genes. In this study, Dr. LoPiccolo will investigate whether these mutations affect response to targeted or immune-based therapies. This insight is likely to identify risk factors among young lung cancer patients, which could lead to improved screening and treatment options for this population.
Research Summary
Technical Abstract
Randomized Phase II Trial of Iadademstat with ICI Maintenance in SCLC
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is difficult to treat, and most patients diagnosed have a poor prognosis. Most patients with SCLC treated with first line chemoimmunotherapy progress within months of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) maintenance therapy. Previous studies in mice have revealed that SCLC treated with iadademstat and maintenance ICI shows enhanced tumor response compared to ICI alone. Dr. Choudhury will conduct a phase II randomized trial investigating this combination in patients with SCLC versus standard of care ICI alone to evaluate progression free survival.
Research Summary
Technical Abstract
Creating a Best Practices Roadmap for Lung Cancer Screening Implementation
Finding lung cancer in its early stages significantly increases the chance of successfully treating and even curing the disease. Low-dose CT is the current approved approach to screen for lung cancer in high-risk individuals who meet specific criteria for age and history of tobacco use. Unfortunately, only five percent of eligible people are screened for lung cancer in the US, while the screening rates for breast and colon cancer are significantly higher.
Patient Gateways LP block 2
Patient Gateways
Get resources and information tailored for people with your specific type of lung cancer
Building a Computational Model to Optimize Patient Treatment
Approximately 20%-35% of patients newly diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) will have locally advanced disease, sometimes referred to as stage III NSCLC. The definitions of locally advanced disease can be complex.
Helpful Apps for People Living with Cancer
As mobile apps become more ingrained in our lives, it’s natural to look for ones that can help manage a cancer diagnosis. As for which app to choose, it really comes down to what you’re looking for, what you’re comfortable with, and what fits your needs.
This list of helpful apps for people living with cancer includes ones that range from very basic, essentially a mobile pen and piece of paper, to all-in-one solutions that make medication tracking, document management, and communication easier.
LC in the News 2023-11-17
Responding to National Gap in Screening and Early Detection, Leading Lung Cancer Orgs Unite to Advance Comprehensive, Lifesaving Action on Lung Cancer
Treatment & Research Takeaways: ESMO 2023 Meeting
The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) recently held its annual conference from October 20 – 24, 2023 in Madrid, Spain. ESMO represents one of the largest gatherings of the international oncology community, and this year’s meeting had over 30,000 registered attendees from around the world.
Innovative Therapeutic Vaccine for ALK+ NSCLC Heads to Phase 1 Clinical Trial
Different types of lung cancer are known to be caused, or driven, by alterations in genes such as EGFR or
LUNGevity Foundation Unveils New Awareness Video Campaign
Campaign highlights diverse stories of people living with lung cancer
LUNGevity Foundation’s No One Missed Campaign Commemorates Third Year of #KnowYourBiomarker Storytelling Initiative
Awareness campaign underscores importance of comprehensive biomarker testing as part of “KNOWvember” during Lung Cancer Awareness Month
Dr. Maximilian Diehn Receives LUNGevity’s 2023 Lung Cancer Early Detection Award
Research award supports work to find lung cancer earlier when it is most curable
Drs. Susumu Kobayashi and Alexandre Reuben Announced as Recipients of EGFR Resisters/LUNGevity Research Award
Researchers aim for innovative approaches to overcome drug resistance in patients living with EGFR-positive non-small cell lung cancer
LUNGevity Foundation Announces $1.2M in Lung Cancer Workforce Development Research Awards
Awards bolster the thoracic oncology workforce by supporting impactful research projects
10 Inspiring Lessons from Fran Bruno and Jessica Trovato, Racing to Stop Lung Cancer
What if running a marathon could transform lung cancer? Meet Fran Bruno and Jessica Trovato, two powerful women who share their unique yet connected stories with us. Both lost their fathers to lung cancer, turning their grief into a powerful purpose by racing to stop lung cancer with LUNGevity Foundation at the TCS New York City Marathon on November 5, 2023.
LC in the News 2023-10-26
LC in the News 2023-10-26
United for a Cure: Leon Burns and Open Technology Group at Breathe Deep TOGETHER
When Leon Burns III stepped up to lead, he didn’t just take charge of a business. He embraced a philosophy—a blend of hard work, honesty, and integrity—rooted deeply within his father’s principles when he founded Open Technology Group in 1992, and that has continued since his passing from lung cancer in 2011.
The Latest Lung Cancer Science: Highlights of WCLC 2023
I had the privilege of attending the 2023 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) in Singapore with my colleague Dr. Bellinda King-Kallimanis. WCLC, the world's largest meeting dedicated to lung cancer and other thoracic malignancies, is an excellent forum for learning about the latest research into the early detection and treatment of lung cancer.
Running the TCS New York City Marathon: A Journey to Raise Lung Cancer Awareness and Honor my Mother's Memory
His Rare Cancer Diagnosis Led to An Unexpected Life Change
There aren’t many life changes as big as a lung cancer diagnosis. And when Xavier Sanders was told he had cancer, he saw all the different ways his life was about to change for the worse.
That was just over one year ago. And while his life has drastically changed since, it hasn't been in the ways he expected.
Pierre E. de Delva, MD
University of Mississippi Medical Center
Section Chief, General Thoracic Surgery
Laurie’s Path to Finding the Right Doctor, the Right Test, and the Right Treatment
Laurie Seligman, a 57-year-old bookkeeper living in Texas, had a lingering cough, but over-the-counter cough syrup seemed to help, so she didn’t think much of it and she continued with her usual activities.
One day in 2017, she hurt her back moving a heavy bed, and went to her general care doctor. She mentioned the cough and got an X-ray. After being treated for pneumonia, her symptoms subsided. She had a follow-up X-ray but was told that it was normal for the pneumonia to still be visible on the scans even after the symptoms were gone.
6 Months. $22K Raised. 65.5 Miles Ran. 1 Life-Changing Conference.
In March 2023, Marlys Carlson was diagnosed with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer. This news was a total shock and absolutely heartbreaking for her and her family. Steph, Marlys’ daughter, immediately started looking for ways she could help her mom.
“I’m pretty good with research as that is part of my job, so I spent time on the internet looking for anything and everything I could find as a resource. That’s when I came across LUNGevity,” said Steph.
Embracing Joy: Kat’s Shift in Perspective After Being Diagnosed With Lung Cancer
Katherine Adelufosi had always been a private person. Through her experiences, she now understands the value of openness and vulnerability. "There were times I have hesitated to share," she admitted. "But then, I remember how others' stories have empowered me. I felt compelled to do the same."
Kat's story underscores strength, resilience, and the incredible value of community support. Her narrative reminds us of life's unexpected turns, the importance of positivity, and embracing the present.
Summer Fun: Create Your Own Fundraisers for LUNGevity!
Thank you to everyone who embraced summer by transforming their favorite activities into impactful fundraisers! Here are some heartwarming and fun ways our supporters have recently championed the cause.
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The Path to Progress: One Researcher’s Journey to a Blood Test for Lung Cancer
Currently, lung cancer screening using low-density computed tomography (LDCT) scans is available as a tool to screen for lung cancer in individuals at high risk of developing the disease.
LUNGevity Launches Early Lung Cancer Center
LUNGevity is excited to announce the launch of the LUNGevity Early Lung Cancer Center (ELCC). The ELCC was created to accelerate the development of early detection and early treatment options, so people diagnosed with lung cancer have the best chance for long-term survival and a better quality of life.
LUNGevity Launches Early Lung Cancer Center to Accelerate the Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Lung Cancer
Driving a multitude of lung cancer early detection initiatives allows more people to be diagnosed earlier when the disease is more treatable
ELCC LP block
Early Lung Cancer Center
LUNGevity's Early Lung Cancer Center takes a comprehensive approach to transforming the way lung cancer is diagnosed and treated, with a goal of shifting diagnosis to early stages when it is most treatable.
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Working for You
Working for You
Our ongoing work to amplify the patient voice and improve outcomes for people with lung cancer.
Decentralized Trials: Bringing Clinical Trials Closer to the Patient
While participating in clinical trials can provide substantial benefits to people with lung cancer, the resources required to do so may pose significant hurdles, especially to those who don’t live close to where trials are held, such as academic medical centers or major oncology network sites. Decentralized clinical trials remove some hurdles to trial participation for patients and are thus important for improving trial access for larger and more diverse groups of people. The U.S.
Climbing Mountains for Lung Cancer: Jay Fundraises in Memory of His Sister Kim
Jay Mathers traveled to Nepal in October 2022 with his sights set on summiting Mt. Ama Dablam. This iconic Himalayan mountain is a stunning 22,349 ft. Due to dangerous conditions, Jay was just shy of the summit, having climbed 21,000 ft while fundraising for LUNGevity in memory of his sister. Jay used LUNGevity’s Create Your Own fundraising tools to raise more than $5,700, which added to the significance of his climb as LUNGevity was a cause near to his sister, Kim Mathers-Heffernan’s, heart.
Raymond Osarogiagbon, MD
Baptist Cancer Center
Director of the Multidisciplinary Thoracic Oncology Program
Vanderbilt University
Research Professor
Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center
Research Member
Samir Hanash, MD, PhD
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Director, Department of Red and Charline McCombs Institute
for the Early Detection and Treatment of Cancer
Co-Director, Department of Center for
Global Cancer Early Detection
Peter Mazzone, MD, MPH
Case Western Reserve University
Clinical Assistant Professor,
Department of Medicine, School of Medicine
Member, Population and Cancer Prevention Program,
Case Comprehensive Cancer Center
Cleveland Clinic
Pulmonary Medicine
2023 ASCO: Highlights of Lung Cancer Research
Recently, members of LUNGevity Foundation joined thousands of attendees from the US and around the world, including oncologists, scientists, biotech and pharmaceutical representatives, advocates, and patients, to discuss life-saving cancer research at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago from June 2 through June 6, 2023.
From Quiet to Community: Opening Up About Her Lung Cancer
Something was off, and Jessica thought she knew why.
At the beginning of 2022, she caught COVID and developed a cough. The cough lingered for months, and she figured it was a long-term side effect that would eventually go away. But eight months later, it was still there. The coughing was now followed by wheezing, and it seemed that something might really be wrong.
Policy Focus: Court Case Challenges Private Insurance Coverage for Screening Costs
A recent court case called Braidwood Management Inc. v. Becerra has received a lot of attention in the public health and cancer patient advocate communities.
Current law requires private insurance companies to provide no-cost coverage for lung cancer screening, which LUNGevity supports. This court case could negate that requirement. This case will not directly impact Medicaid or Medicare, which also covers the cost of lung cancer screening.
LUNGevity Research Digs Deep Into Remote Patient Monitoring in Rural Communities
Since 2016, the medical community has seen strong data showing that remote patient monitoring (RPM), which gives people living with cancer simple ways to report treatment side effects, has a significant impact on patients’ outcomes and survival rates.
LUNGevity Research Delves into Patient Experiences with Biomarker Testing
Since 2020, LUNGevity has been engaged in research to understand the experiences of lung cancer patients, particularly those receiving care at community hospitals and those from medically underserved communities, as they receive biomarker testing.
Tracing the Clues of a Global Killer: How Dr. Charles Swanton’s Research Is Shedding New Light on Lung Cancer
As Chief Investigator of the groundbreaking Cancer Research UK (CRUK) TRACERx study, you could say that Dr. Charles Swanton is having a moment. Launched nine years ago, TRACERx seeks to understand lung cancer at its most basic level, “tracing” the clues that may predict how it starts and eventually changes over time so that doctors can treat it better.
LUNGevity Foundation Welcomes Leah Fine, MBA, to the Organization
Leah will spearhead several of LUNGevity’s early lung cancer initiatives, bringing her expertise in oncology early detection, precision medicine, and multidisciplinary care to the role.
The Basics of Neuroendocrine Tumors (NETs)
Our lung tissue is made of different kinds of cells, including neuroendocrine cells. If these cells develop changes in their genome, they can begin to grow out of control and become tumors.
What the End of the COVID Public Health Emergency Means for You
It’s been more than 3 years since the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) first declared a nationwide Public Health Emergency (PHE) due to COVID-19. Since then, periodic renewals of the PHE have increased the flexibility of healthcare delivery. The PHE is set to end on May 11, 2023. A separate National Emergency that was enacted due to COVID-19 ended on April 10. Of the two, the end of the PHE will be more consequential for day-to-day healthcare delivery.
The Pervasive Stigma Associated With Lung Cancer
So how did I get lung cancer? Well, if you’re a lung cancer patient like me, I’m certain that this all too common question has played over and over in your mind as well; much like an endless repeat of a badly broken record (and yes, in light of today’s technology I am unabashedly dating myself here)! Walking back through the last six decades of my life, I reflected on the remarkable strength of my respiratory system and the fact that I never had a cough…except when I contracted the first variant of COVID in 2020.
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Raise Awareness
Share lung cancer facts and use our social media toolkit to raise awareness and educate others.
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Learn About Our Public Policy Work
We impact public policy at the state and federal levels through participation on committees and advisory boards.
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Join an event, volunteer, or fundraise to get involved with LUNGevity and the lung cancer community.
Highlights of the 2023 Small Cell Lung Cancer IASLC Hot Topics Meeting
The first week of April definitely started with a bang! After the 2019 in-person small cell lung cancer (SCLC) meeting—convened by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) and hosted by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer in New York—the pandemic hit us in 2020. The 2021 meeting was virtual, so it was absolutely amazing to be back in person at the 2023 Small Cell Lung Cancer IASLC Hot Topics Meeting, again at Memorial Sloan Kettering.
10 Reasons to Attend LUNGevity’s HOPE Summit
HOPE Summit is a weekend conference unlike any other! The Summit brings hundreds of people affected by lung cancer together to build their community, give and get support, and learn how to live well with lung cancer.
As returning participant, Tom, puts it, “Imagine a world where you can look around and see hundreds of people thriving with lung cancer. Imagination is not necessary! Join us at the LUNGevity Summit on May 5th and celebrate life!”
Beloved Reporter Goes Public with His Lung Cancer Diagnosis
A familiar voice to many in the greater Washington, DC area, Neal Augenstein, a beloved reporter at WTOP radio, joined fellow lung cancer survivor Melinda Ojermark to discuss his experience with lung cancer. Neal has a family history of the disease, so when a persistent cough would not go away, he asked his doctor for screening. A low-dose CT scan revealed that Neal had lung cancer, the same disease that had taken his father's life.
Tackling the Biggest Challenges in Cancer
Cancer Grand Challenges is a partnership between Cancer Research UK (CRUK) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI), which funds global teams of leading researchers across various scientific disciplines to tackle some of the toughest challenges in cancer research. As Dinah Singer, Acting Director of NCI’s Center for Strategic Scientific Initiatives says, “Cancer research is a global endeavor.”
How is Lung Cancer Caught Early?
The point at which lung cancer is diagnosed plays a key role in treatment and survival. The average 5-year survival rate for lung cancer diagnosed while still localized (stage I) is 61%. However, when it has spread to other organs of the body (such as the brain or liver) and is classified as distant, the 5-year survival rate drops to 7%.
So, how is lung cancer diagnosed early to increase survival?
LUNGevity Announces Pierre Massion Young Investigator Awards for Early Detection Research
Two rising stars in lung cancer early detection awarded research funds in honor of LUNGevity’s first Scientific Advisory Board member
Finding Clinical Trials for Lung Cancer: Tools and Resources
Real-World Drug Development at the Targeted Therapies of Lung Cancer Meeting
Emotional Care for the Whole Family
An Introduction to Squamous Cell Lung Cancer
Ask Your Oncologist the Right Questions
Communication is critical to a positive doctor-patient relationship. Knowing the right questions to ask helps ensure you leave your appointments with the information and answers you need. Being prepared may also lessen anxiety and help provide a sense of control. Meeting with your oncologist, especially when first diagnosed or deciding on a treatment plan, are times when being prepared with questions is necessary.
Michelle Futrell, RN
For Caregivers: How to Support Your Loved One at Appointments
Innovative Research Brings Potential New Class of Drugs for Patients with ALK-EML4 Fusion
World Cancer Day and #CloseTheCareGap in Lung Cancer Screenings
For World Cancer Day this year, the Union for International Cancer Control presents the #CloseTheCareGap initiative. February 4, 2023 will be a day focused on promoting equity in the cancer space. The goal is to create best-case outcomes for all people diagnosed with cancer, regardless of race, gender, location, finances, sexual orientation, age, disability, and lifestyle.
LC in the News 2023-01-30
In Partnership with Rising Tide Foundation, LUNGevity Issues RFA for $1.5M Lung Cancer Research Grant
Collaboration seeks to leverage studies of common drug-resistance mechanisms to improve outcomes for patients with oncogene-driven lung adenocarcinoma
EGFR Resisters Partners with LUNGevity to Issue RFA for Research into EGFR-Positive Lung Cancer
Collaboration seeks to improve outcomes for patients with EGFR-positive non-small cell lung cancer
LUNGevity Partners with ASTRO to Issue RFA for Lung Cancer Research Grant
Collaboration to seed critical progress in radiation oncology for patients with lung cancer
LUNGevity Issues Five RFAs Totaling $2.3M for Translational Research Awards in Lung Cancer
Applications are now available online
Researchers Make New Inroads for EGFR Exon20+ NSCLC Patients
LUNGevity Foundation Welcomes Michelle Futrell, RN, as Director of Lung Cancer Screening Programs and Initiatives
Michelle’s vast personal and professional experience will help accelerate efforts to increase lung cancer screening
How Nina’s Clinical Trial Led to a High-Five Celebration
Her doctor was excited, which made Nina excited. They high-fived and couldn’t believe the progress that had been made in just a few weeks. The clinical trial was already having positive effects.
Before her clinical trial success, Nina went through the standard treatments for people with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). She was diagnosed in early 2014, and the plan was to try different chemo and radiation therapies.
Targeted Therapy Options for Patients with EGFR Exon20+ NSCLC
Researchers have made tremendous progress in treating lung cancer by identifying key mutations in genes that drive the growth of lung cancer. Once these “driver” mutations are identified, researchers can work to target these mutations with specific treatments, called targeted therapies.
Exercise and Lung Cancer: Low-Impact Workouts
Overall health becomes a major priority when undergoing lung cancer treatment, and staying active is one way to include healthy behaviors in your life. Talking with your doctor about exercise and lung cancer is important to remain safe and do activities your body and lungs can handle. If you feel chest or lung pain during any workouts, stop immediately and tell your doctor.
Gilteritinib for lorlatinib-resistant ALK NSCLC
Lorlatinib is currently the only approved treatment for patients with ALK-positive NSCLC whose cancers have progressed on prior ALK drugs, and for those whose tumors develop resistance, there is a lack of other treatment options other than chemotherapy. In this study, Dr. Qin will evaluate a novel drug called gilteritinib as a treatment in patients with ALK-positive NSCLC whose tumors have developed a resistance to lorlatinib.
Research Summary
Lorlatinib is the only approved ALK-targeted drug for patients with ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer (ALK NSCLC) who progressed on prior ALK drugs. The average duration of benefit from lorlatinib is seven months before resistance develops. There are currently no approved ALK-directed therapies after lorlatinib.
Our understanding of lorlatinib resistance mechanisms remains limited. However, we know that 1) cancer cells can develop two ALK mutations that block lorlatinib action and 2) cancer cells can activate other pathways so that cancers no longer exclusively rely on ALK.
This proposal addresses ALK resistance directly, with the goal of opening a clinical trial using a novel drug called gilteritinib. Preliminary tests show gilteritinib prevents ALK NSCLC from using alternative pathways to overcome ALK inhibition. First, we propose to obtain tumor-containing samples from patients who are progressing on lorlatinib and perform in-depth sequencing of these cancer cells to thoroughly describe resistance mechanisms in all detectable cancer clones. Next, we will perform drug sensitivity testing on these cancer cells using approved and experimental drugs, including gilteritinib. Finally, we will open a clinical trial using gilteritinib, already approved for treatment of a blood cancer (FLT3+ acute myeloid leukemia). In multiple pre-clinical studies, gilteritinib was able to kill lorlatinib-resistant cells, but this drug has not been given to patients with ALK NSCLC. Our proposal focuses on bringing knowledge obtained from patients’ cancer cells through extensive analysis directly into a clinical trial with a novel drug, maximizing the impact to patients.
Technical Abstract
Lorlatinib is currently the only approved ALK TKI (tyrosine kinase inhibitor) for patients with ALK NSCLC that have progressed on prior lines of therapy. The clinical benefit of lorlatinib is modest in previously-treated patients with a median PFS of 7 months (1). Mechanisms of lorlatinib resistance are diverse and include novel ALK mutations, compound ALK mutations, and activation of bypass pathways including AXL. Gilteritinib is a dual inhibitor of FLT3/AXL that is approved for relapsed/refractory FLT3+ acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Pre-clinical work using ALK fusion positive cell lines (including those containing compound mutations), patient-derived tumor cells, and in vivo mouse studies all demonstrate the anti-tumor activity of gilteritinib specifically against lorlatinib-resistant ALK NSCLC.
We will recruit patients with ALK NSCLC with progression on lorlatinib and collect patient-derived tumor samples. In addition to surgical, biopsy, or effusion fluid samples, plasma will be collected for isolation of circulating tumor DNA and circulating tumor cells. Whole exome sequencing (WES) will be used to identify molecular alterations that define resistance mechanisms. Ex vivo drug testing will be conducted using our existing platform and will include ALK inhibitors and inhibitors of pathways implicated in resistance such as AXL, MET, mTOR, and MAPK. Results of ex vivo drug testing will be correlated with findings from WES.
Simultaneously, we will open a phase I clinical trial to assess the safety and preliminary efficacy of gilteritinib in patients with lorlatinib-resistant ALK NSCLC. Crucially, clinical endpoints will be correlated with sequencing data and ex vivo drug testing results.
Development of ALK-specific TCR-T cells for the eradication of ALK+ NSCLC
In this project, Dr. Chiarle and his team will generate T cells that have engineered receptors, called TCR receptors (TCR-T cells), that will selectively target and attack the ALK protein that is expressed by tumor cells. Generation of such cells could be a powerful tool to eradicate ALK+ lung cancer cells and form the basis of a TCR-T cell-based clinical trial for patients with TKI-resistant ALK+ NSCLC.
Research Summary
Patients with an ALK-positive lung cancer are typically young. For these patients several oral ALK inhibitors are available as pills, typically alectinib, lorlatinib, and brigatinib. These ALK inhibitors are very effective and well tolerated and most patients respond for long time. However, tumors may progressively develop resistance and start to grow back. In this setting of relapsing disease, few therapeutic options are left because most patients with ALK-positive lung cancer do not respond to existing immunotherapies.
For several years, we have been working to develop immunotherapy tools specifically for patients with ALK-positive lung cancer. In this proposal, the strategy is to re-engineer patients’ naturally occurring immune cells to target ALK selectively expressed by tumor cells. First, we will discover several receptors (TCRs) that T lymphocytes use to recognize ALK and kill tumor cells. Next, we will re-introduce these TCRs into the T lymphocytes to rapidly generate a large pool of killer cells all directed simultaneous against the tumor. The rapid infusion of a large number of TCR-engineered T lymphocytes, called TCR-T cells, will generate a wave of killing toward which the tumor will not have the time to adapt and escape. While the identification of ALK specific TCR might be difficult and elusive, we already discovered a series of very specific TCRs directed against ALK expressed by ALK-positive tumors in mice. Leveraging the discovery of ALK peptides expressed by human tumor cells, we will now discover specific TCRs that recognize ALK in human lung cancer. We will use these TCR-T cells to cure ALK-positive human tumors in combination with ALK inhibitors. We expect that this combination will be extremely powerful to rapidly eradicate tumor cells in the lung as well as in metastatic sites.
Technical Summary
About 5-7% of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) have a rearrangement of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene. ALK-rearranged NSCLC is typically treated with ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), but no effective immunotherapies are available for refractory or relapsed tumors. In previous work, we have shown that ALK is an immunogenic oncoprotein that induces specific T cell responses with potent killing activity against ALK+ tumor cells in the lung and in distant metastatic sites, such as the brain. Thus, the lack of efficacy of standard immunotherapy in ALK+ NSCLC can be bypassed by the development of tools to induce ALK-specific T cell responses. Our central hypothesis is that the generation of T cells engineered to express TCRs (TCR-T cells) that selectively target ALK+ NSCLC will be a powerful tool to completely eradicate ALK+ lung cancer cells.
In preliminary experiments, we have shown the feasibility of the cloning of ALK-specific TCRs against an ALK peptide expressed by a mouse model of ALK+ lung cancer. In Aim 1, we will test the potency, the safety and the in vivo efficacy of ALK-specific TCR-T cells obtained by T cells engineered to express TCRs against ALK in a mouse model of ALK+ lung cancer. TCR-T cells will be tested alone or in combination with ALK TKI. Their efficacy will be compared to natural anti-ALK T cells induced by vaccination in mice. In Aim 2, we will discover and study the activity of ALK-specific TCRs against human ALK peptides. We will leverage ALK peptides we previously identified to be expressed by human ALK+ NSCLC. The killing activity of these human specific TCR-T cells will be tested against human ALK+ NSCLC in vitro and in vivo, alone or in combination with ALK TKIs. We expect to identify potent and specific TCRs as leading candidates for a TCR-T cell-based clinical trial for patients with TKI-resistant ALK+ NSCLC.
Defining and novel therapeutic targeting of ALK fusion protein granules
Currently available ALK inhibitors are an effective treatment for lung cancer, but tumors can development treatment resistance. In this project, Dr. Bivona will explore a novel way to treat ALK-positive lung cancer by targeting “membraneless cytoplasmic protein granules,” a new mechanism of signaling in ALK-positive lung cancer. His team will use precision medicine approaches that are complementary to current ALK inhibitors and that could improve their efficacy as well as quality of life for patients.
Research Summary
Technical Abstract
Tips For Managing Lung Cancer During the Holiday Season
The holidays are a time to celebrate, but they can also be a time of stress as we try to create that perfect celebration. Bringing together family and friends, decorating, shopping, cooking, hosting—the list goes on!
After a lung cancer diagnosis, it’s easy to feel like you can’t keep up and that your holidays will never be the same. They can be special; just remember to take care of yourself first before taking care of the holidays.
Improving Lung Cancer Outcomes for US Veterans
Lung cancer risk for our military veterans is significant. This is because many smoked or had significant exposure during their service to toxic environmental hazards such as burn pits. The US Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) estimates that each year, the Veterans Health Administration diagnoses and treats approximately 8,000 veterans with lung cancer. Because VA also estimates that nearly 1.5 million veterans are at risk for developing lung cancer due to age and smoking status alone, VA supports broad lung cancer screening implementation programs to improve early detection.
LUNGevity Award Sparks New Biomarker Research for Patients with NSCLC
When Sean Pitroda, MD, reached out to the Grants Office at the University of Chicago, he was looking for additional funding to continue his research into treating colorectal cancer with immunotherapy. Working with institutional grants from the university had yielded exciting findings, but he needed additional funding to continue his research.
ALK Positive and LUNGevity Foundation Announce Recipients of the 2022 ALK-Positive Research Awards
To transform advanced ALK-positive lung cancer into a chronic or curable disease, ALK Positive to award $1.75 million through their research award program
LC in the News 2022-11-29
The Viral Triple Threat: COVID-19, Flu and RSV
It is hard to believe that we’re already in November and celebrating Lung Cancer Awareness Month! In addition to recognizing LCAM, fall is also a good time to remind people, especially those with compromised lungs, to take action to protect their lung health.
Healthy Eating for the Holidays
With the holiday season in full swing, it’s the perfect time to explore seasonal ingredients and highlight healthy holiday nutrition tips. Fall brings some of the most flavorful, colorful seasonal produce that you can incorporate into holiday dishes (or any dishes!). Seasonal foods are harvested at optimal ripeness, resulting in tastier, fresher, and typically less expensive produce. We have highlighted some seasonal fruits and vegetables that can make the biggest impact on your health.
LC in the News 2022-11-12
Veterans Day 2022 - The PACT Act Expands Veterans Health Care Benefits
LUNGevity Foundation proudly supports U.S. Veterans and recognizes the many in our community who have selflessly served. United States military members are at an increased risk for injuries and illnesses, including several types of cancer, presumably due to environmental exposures while serving. This Veterans Day comes after a major win for Veterans health services and support, specifically for those at risk for developing conditions like lung cancer.
LUNGevity Foundation Launches “Find Your Lung Cancer Community” Public Service and Social Media Campaign During Lung Cancer Awareness Month
People living with lung cancer and their caregivers share the importance of finding your community to live better with lung cancer
Takeaways from the AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities
Dr. Eugene Manley is LUNGevity's Director of STEM Workforce Initiatives.
Maisha Standifer, PhD, MPH, LUNGevity’s Community Scholar-in-Residence, and I attended the 15th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved in Philadelphia from September 16-19, 2022.
LUNGevity Foundation’s No One Missed Campaign Celebrates Second Year of #KnowYourBiomarker Storytelling Initiative to Drive Awareness of Comprehensive Biomarker Testing in Lung Cancer
Awareness campaign underscores importance of biomarker testing as part of “KNOWvember” during Lung Cancer Awareness Month
LUNGevity Foundation Launches Minority Mentorship and Training Program to Help Increase Diversity in Lung Cancer Workforce
Providing mentorship for minority researchers and clinicians is vital to create an inclusive work environment and improving outcomes for minority patients
Being a Caregiver for a Parent
Being a caregiver to a parent is different for everyone, but finding success is about the roles and strengths of each person.
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Lung Cancer Screening Consensus Statement
Together we are taking action to increase lung cancer screening to save more lives.
Tumor draining lymph node immunomodulation to decrease recurrence in NSCLC
Lymph nodes are small structures that work as filters for foreign substances, such as cancer cells and infections. These nodes contain infection-fighting immune cells that are carried in through the lymph fluid. This project will study the lymph node draining basin, which is involved in the spread of a tumor from the original location site to distant sites, and whether activating cancer-fighting T-cells can decrease recurrence in NSCLC. Dr. Villena-Vargas will use animal models to investigate whether immune checkpoint inhibitors enhance lymph node T-cells memory, which increases their ability to recognize cancer cells in the bod and can prevent metastatic recurrence.
Lung cancer Equity Through Social needs Screening (LETS SCREEN)
Dr. Velasquez Manana will conduct an observational study in a multiethnic group of patients with unresectable lung cancer to determine the association between social needs, care utilization, and quality of life. The goal of this study is to fill a key knowledge gap in the care of patients with NSCLC and inform interventions to support patients at risk of social adversity during treatment to end disparities in lung cancer care.
Promoting lung cancer screening in Latinx patients with previous HNSCC
In addition to tobacco use, having a previous malignancy is a risk factor for developing lung cancer. Head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors with a history of smoking have up to a 13% risk of developing lung cancer. Dr. Olazagasti’s study will assess the awareness and eligibility of lung cancer screening in Hispanic/LatinX HNC survivors via a survey questionnaire and understand the barriers to screening via qualitative interviews. The goal of her research is to create the first lung cancer screening program tailored for and focused exclusively on Hispanic/LatinX HNC survivors.
Young lung cancer: psychosocial needs assessment
Dr. Florez will study the psychosocial and financial impact of lung cancer in young patients (< 50 years of age). This patient population has seen an increase in incidence in recent years, but little is known about their specific needs. The study will include administration of a survey and focus groups to understand unmet needs of this group of patients. The information gathered from this study will be used to identify challenges unique to this population and develop the first clinical and research program of its kind for young lung cancer patients.
Synergistic expression of combined RT and dual-immune checkpoint blockade
Recent studies have shown that high and low dose radiation used in combination with immunotherapy have a synergistic effect in modulating the growth of satellite tumors, which are tumor cells located near the primary tumor. In this study, Dr. Shulman proposes using an animal model of metastatic lung cancer to test the hypothesis that radiation given in repeated very low dose pulses in combination with immunotherapy can further enhance immunotherapeutic benefit in metastatic lung cancer.
Isotoxic hypofractionation to personalize radiation for NSCLC
The purpose of this study is to develop and evaluate a method for personalized radiation therapy in patients with locally advanced NSCLC. Patients will be assessed regarding their expected risk of treatment toxicity, and those at lower risk will be treated in a fewer number of treatments with a more intensified dose of radiation. If successful, this could be used to inform optimal radiation treatment protocols as well as potentially reduce treatment and financial burden for patients, with a major impact on quality of life.
Predicting clinical benefit of immunotherapy in veterans
This study will use data from the Veterans Affairs system to develop statistical models to predict response to immunotherapy in patients with lung cancer. While immunotherapy has improved outcomes for many patients, it is still not well understood why some respond well and others do not. If successful, this work will produce a comprehensive prediction model of immunotherapy benefit in lung cancer that could be used to counsel patients, inform patient-physician decision making, and identify patients who need more- or less-aggressive treatment.
Combination checkpoint blockade plus VEGF inhibitor in EGFR-mutated NSCLC
Osimertinib is the standard of care for treating non-small cell lung cancer with EGFR mutations. Unfortunately, the tumors inevitably develop resistance to osimertinib. Currently, very few treatment options exist for patients whose cancers have become resistant to osimertinib. Dr. Reuss is conducting a phase 2 clinical trial to test whether two immunotherapy drugs, atezolizumab and tiragolumab, given with a VEGF inhibitor, bevacizumab, are effective in controlling EGFR-positive NSCLC that has become resistant to osimertinib.
Therapeutic targeting of BRAF fusion altered lung cancer
Alterations in the BRAF gene can lead to the development of non-small cell lung cancer. BRAF fusions are a type of BRAF gene alterations. These fusions are powerful growth stimulators of lung cancer. Currently, no treatment exists for cancers that harbor these BRAF fusions. Dr. Offin will be testing a series of new drugs in preclinical cell line and animal models of lung cancer. The ultimate goal of his project is to identify new drugs that can be tested in clinical trials.
Phase 2 trial of neoadjuvant KRAS G12C directed therapy in resectable NSCLC
Around one in three patients with non-small cell lung cancer are diagnosed with early-stage disease, where surgery is offered as curative therapy. Unfortunately, the cancer can recur in 50%-60% of patients. The rate of recurrence is higher in patients whose tumors have certain mutations, such as mutations in the KRAS gene. Dr. Marrone and her team will be conducting a phase 2 trial to test whether treatment with a KRAS G12C blocking drug, adagrasib, given as a single drug or in combination with an immunotherapy drug, nivolumab, before a patient undergoes surgery can delay or prevent recurrence in patients whose tumors have a KRAS G12C mutation.
Breathe Deep Chicago: Team Captains Lead the Way for Lung Cancer Awareness
LUNGevity is excited to kick off Lung Cancer Awareness month this November with Breathe Deep TOGETHER presented by Amgen.
LUNGevity Foundation Welcomes Ann Fish-Steagall, BSN, RN, as Senior Vice President of Patient Services
With 40 years of expertise as an oncology nurse navigator and leader in clinical operations, Ann provides insight and value to LUNGevity’s Support and Survivorship programs
Navigating the Stigma of Lung Cancer: A Psychologist's Perspective
Dr. Jamie Ostroff, clinical health psychologist and psychological liaison to the Thoracic Disease Management Team at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, weighed in with her perspective on smoking stigma and its effect on the lung cancer community. Dr. Ostroff founded Memorial Sloan-Kettering’s Tobacco Treatment Program, where she continues to serve as director and works with people diagnosed with cancer seeking treatment for tobacco dependency.
LUNGevity Foundation Grants Two Research Awards for Lung Cancer Studies Within the VA System
LUNGevity strategically supports lung cancer researchers to continue progress in early detection and treatment
Survivor Spotlight: Randi Young and Sharon Schneider Found Their Footing with Team LUNGevity
Team LUNGevity attracts experienced athletes, newcomers, and everyone in between.
LUNGevity Grants Three Career Development Awards to Accelerate Lung Cancer Research
For the 11th consecutive year, LUNGevity invests in the future of lung cancer research
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Participate in a Clinical Trial
Treatment and drug-specific studies for different types of lung cancer.
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Focused on the lived experience of patients on topics like medication side effects, quality of life, treatment changes, and more.
Get to know LUNGevity’s Lung Cancer Support Services
Whether you are newly diagnosed or a long-term survivor, LUNGevity offers lung cancer support and survivorship services to address your unique needs. LUNGevity's services are designed to help you feel supported, informed, and empowered to be an active decision-maker in your treatment process and live well with the disease.
LUNGevity Foundation Issues Five Health Equity and Inclusiveness Research Awards
Improving diverse representation in the scientific community promotes equity in research and healthcare delivery
Improving Access to Telehealth Services for the Lung Cancer Community
Many patients began utilizing telehealth services as part of their care during the COVID-19 pandemic. While it is now clear that telehealth is here to stay, policymakers will need to take action to ensure that the services valued by patients are available and covered by insurance. In this blog, we answer some frequently asked questions and talk about what’s on the horizon for telehealth policy.
Team LUNGevity: Maggie and Jack Rogers Run in Memory of Their Father
In fall of 2012, the TCS New York City Marathon was canceled for the first time in the race’s history because of Superstorm Sandy. Jack Rogers had spent months preparing for the race, all while receiving treatment for non-small cell lung cancer, but sadly passed away only a few weeks after the original race date. Now, 10 years later, his children, Maggie and Jack Jr. are finishing the race for him.
Dr. David Gerber, University of Texas Southwestern, and LUNGevity Foundation Publish Recommendations to Simplify and Harmonize Lung Cancer Clinical Trials
Paper offers framework for standardizing eligibility criteria for lung cancer clinical trials
From the Experts: 3 Takeaways From the National Medical Association Convention
My first time attending the NMA 2022 Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly
Caregiver Resources Starter Kit: 5 Resources Caregivers Should Access upon their Loved One’s Diagnosis
Navigating a lung cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming not only to the patient but to their caregiver as well. It’s normal to feel lost or confused and not know where to start or what resources to ask for. Because a cancer diagnosis is a family diagnosis, LUNGevity wants caregivers to know they don’t have to go through it alone. There are resources available to help caregivers take care of their loved ones as well as themselves. Here are 5 important caregiver resources to help with your loved one’s lung cancer diagnosis.
LUNGevity Launches New Small Cell Lung Cancer Patient Gateway
The specialized resource offers patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and their caregivers access to treatment information, informative webinars, the latest scientific news, and a supportive community
Estate Planning 101: Protecting all you love this Make-A-Will Month
As LUNGevity seeks to empower patients to be active decision-makers in their treatment
process through our extensive educational resources, online peer-to-peer support, and
in-person survivorship programs, we also want our entire community to be able to make other
critical choices that impact your future. August is National Make-A-Will Month, and it’s the
perfect moment to protect all you love.
LUNGevity to Present Three Research Abstracts at 2022 World Lung Conference
Studies amplify voices of patients and caregivers within the lung cancer community
World Lung Cancer Day and the Changing Landscape of Lung Cancer
The landscape of lung cancer is changing for the better. Due to progress in research and drug development, there are more treatment options and hope for the lung cancer community than ever before.
Fundraiser Spotlight: The Jones Family and Living Wide
Sherry Jones and her family are carrying on the torch for Living Wide, an inspirational movement started by Gregory Jones after his lung cancer diagnosis in 2016. According to Living Wide’s website, Gregory dedicated himself to maximizing the width of his life because he had no control over the length. To mentor, educate, and advocate for others, he founded Living Wide, an organization dedicated to helping all people live with joy, hope, meaning, and purpose despite profound uncertainty.
Improving Treatment for KRAS-mutated Lung Cancer
While targeted therapies have emerged in the past decade to improve treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with some types of driver mutations (such as EGFR and ALK), lung adenocarcinomas with KRAS driver mutations have been notoriously difficult to study and treat.
The 2021 Global Lung Cancer Therapy Landscape
On June 1st, 2022, LUNGevity Foundation hosted a Facebook Live to discuss our manuscript titled “The 2021 Global Lung Cancer Therapy Landscape” published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology.
There’s Lots to Learn at ILCSC!
The conference presents the latest science behind living well with lung cancer through educational sessions, expert panels, and special breakout groups
LUNGevity’s third annual International Lung Cancer Survivorship Conference (ILCSC) is coming up on July 15 and 16. This fully virtual conference provides opportunities for lung cancer survivors, caregivers, and advocates to hear from world-renowned researchers on the latest treatments, learn about ways to manage your lung cancer and treatment journey, and find hope in today’s scientific progress.
A Survivor’s Experience with Biomarker Testing and TKI Treatments
Back in 2013, when Dan Cadigan was first diagnosed with stage III lung cancer, his treatment options were limited to surgery followed by chemotherapy. However, at his one-year follow-up scan, they found nodules in both lungs and he was diagnosed with stage IV recurrent cancer.
Normally, it would have meant a return to chemo for treatment.
LUNGevity Launches New Rare Mutations and Fusions Patient Gateway
The specialized resource offers patients with rare mutations or fusions in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and their caregivers access to treatment information, informative webinars, the latest scientific news, and a supportive community
New Study Highlights Progress in Drug Development Landscape for Lung Cancer
An analysis conducted by LUNGevity Foundation finds more therapies are being developed for early-stage lung cancer, highlighting the need for increased biomarker testing
Dr. Charles Rudin discusses key highlights from ASCO 2022
The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting was held in Chicago June 3-7, 2022. Dr. Upal Basu Roy, Executive Director of Research at LUNGevity Foundation, sat down with Dr. Charles Rudin to discuss key highlights from ASCO 2022 and what they mean for the lung cancer community.
LUNGevity Foundation is proud to be part of the winning Cancer Grand Challenges global team addressing cancer cachexia
The team, composed of investigators from across the UK and US, will receive $25M to take on the challenge of cancer cachexia, the debilitating wasting condition responsible for up to 30% of cancer-related deaths.
Palliative Care 101 - Improving Quality of Life While in Treatment
Palliative care, or supportive care, often misunderstood as only end-of-life care, improves patients' quality of life while undergoing treatment. The goal of palliative care is to alleviate the symptoms and side effects caused by lung cancer or its treatment. It also can help you and your family deal with both the emotional aspects of your illness and any practical issues.
Conversations That Count: The Black Experience of Lung Cancer
On April 21, LUNGevity’s Director of Community Outreach, Dr. Eugene Manley, Jr., moderated the first in a series of Conversations That Count, titled The Black Experience of Lung Cancer. As part of LUNGevity Foundation’s health equity webinar series, the following panelists came together via Facebook Live to share personal and professional stories of incredible tenacity in accessing lung cancer care:
Lisa Giuroiu
Amgen
Director, Global Advocacy Relations Thoracic & Gastrointestinal Cancers
Jeanette Schulz, MPH
Amgen
Director, Health Equity and Advocacy Relations
Ben Garcia, CPHQ, LSSGB
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.
Director, US Diversity & Inclusion
Meg Harrison, MA
Genentech, A Member of the Roche Group
Patient Advocacy Relations
Keith Dawson, DNP, MS
Genentech, A Member of the Roche Group
Health Equity & Population Science, PD Portfolio Strategy & Execution
Aimee K. Lin, PhD
Eli Lilly and Company
Associate Vice President – Clinical Research, Oncology
Karen Hamel
Novartis Oncology
Director, US Patient Engagement
Vikki Walton, MBA
Novartis Oncology
Director, ESG & Health Equity Policy
Amgen Receives LUNGevity Foundation Hope Award for Corporate Leadership
LUNGevity recognizes Amgen for its exceptional commitment to lung cancer communities and improving outcomes for people diagnosed with the disease
The Importance of Health Disparities Research
In 2021, LUNGevity Foundation announced our inaugural Health Equity and Inclusiveness Workforce Development Awards to help combat the lack of diversity among lung cancer researchers as well as disparities in the lung cancer research itself. To learn more about the health disparities research and why it matters to all people, LUNGevity Foundation spoke with Robert Winn, MD, director of the Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center and member of LUNGevity’s Board of Directors.
LUNGevity Foundation: How do we know these disparities exist?
The Stigma of Lung Cancer: A Conversation with Tina Hayden
Living with cancer means processing difficult emotions as well as dealing with side effects and physical changes both during treatment and beyond. Living with lung cancer brings an additional challenge of its own.
Lung cancer often comes with a stigma, meaning a lack of respect for a person or group by others. This lack of respect results from society’s belief that lung cancer is caused by smoking alone. This puts the responsibility for the disease on the patients themselves, leading lung cancer survivors to carry an unfair burden of shame and fatalism.
Discovering a New Approach to Treat Metastatic NSCLC
Lung cancer continues to be the number-one cause of cancer deaths in the United States. In the past decade, we have seen great improvements in the treatment of metastatic lung cancer with targeted therapies and immunotherapy.
Take Action! Tell Your Senators What Lung Cancer Research Means to You
The lung cancer community has a unique and urgent opportunity to influence the future of lung cancer research funding in Congress. The Lung Cancer Research Program (LCRP), part of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) within the Department of Defense, is an important source of federal funding for lung cancer research.
LUNGevity Launches New EGFR Patient Gateway
The specialized resource offers patients with EGFR-positive lung cancer and their caregivers access to informative webinars, the latest scientific news, and a supportive community
Cancer Disclosure in the Workplace
It can be difficult to decide what information to disclose at your workplace when navigating a cancer diagnosis. You may question whether or not to share your diagnosis with coworkers, what information you’ll be required to tell your employer, and how to receive workplace benefits such as time off or reasonable accommodations for your condition. LUNGevity has partnered with Triage Cancer to help people with lung cancer navigate these questions and the practical and legal issues that may arise after receiving a cancer diagnosis.
The Power of Mindset
April is Stress Awareness Month, and for those living with lung cancer, feelings of stress or anxiety can become unwelcome symptoms of the changes and challenges living with lung cancer creates. However, tools like mindset and mindfulness have led to individuals gaining a sense of control over their emotions, including stress.
LUNGevity Names Maisha Standifer, PhD, MPH, LUNGevity Community Scholar-in-Residence
In a consultative role, Dr. Standifer will aid in the development and cultivation of new research partners
Highlights of the 2022 AACR meeting
The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) 2022 meeting was held in New Orleans from April 9 to 13. Doctors and researchers worldwide joined together virtually and in person to make this year’s meeting one of the largest gatherings since the start of the pandemic. They shared the many exciting developments in cancer research and treatment that emerged over the last year. This year’s meeting is another testament to “Science doesn’t stop, and scientists never sleep!” Here, we discuss some of the major highlights of the meeting.
KRAS: How It Started vs. How It’s Going
On May 28, 2021, the United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved sotorasib as the first targeted therapy for patients with KRAS G12C-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
National Volunteer Week – Meet LUNGevity’s Volunteers
At LUNGevity, we say that our people are our most valuable asset, and our dedicated volunteers exemplify this. Hundreds of volunteers from across the country support LUNGevity and the community we serve. Volunteers use their unique talents and perspectives to provide peer support, raise awareness for lung cancer, plan events and fundraisers, and advocate. We thank our volunteers for believing in our mission and working alongside us to help people live better with lung cancer and drive progress for the community.
Understanding Lung Cancer Staging
For people with lung cancer, one of the first steps in navigating their diagnosis comes from understanding what their lung cancer stage means for the future of their treatment.
Brandon Leonard, MA, Joins LUNGevity as Director of Government Affairs
A health policy professional with an extensive background in government affairs, Brandon will be an exceptional advocate for people living with lung cancer
Brendon Stiles, MD, Joins LUNGevity Scientific Advisory Board
A highly recognized cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Stiles is committed to eliminating health disparities
Brendon Stiles, MD
Montefiore Health System, Bronx, NY
Chief of Thoracic Surgery and Surgical Oncology
Albert Einstein Cancer Center
Associate Director of Surgical Oncology
Angela James, MBA, LMSW, MEd, Joins LUNGevity as Care Navigator
A licensed social worker with extensive oncology experience, James will be a valuable resource for people living with lung cancer
For Caregivers: Maintaining Your Emotional Health While Caring for Others
Caregiving may be the most challenging role a person can take on, but also one of the most valuable. In some instances, providing physical and emotional care to a loved one can become a round-the-clock job that may shift other priorities like career or relationships.
Expanded Coverage of Lung Cancer Screening with Low-Density Computed Tomography
On February 10, 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a National Coverage Decision to expand reimbursement for lung cancer screening with low-density computed tomography (LDCT).
LUNGevity Launches New ALK Patient Gateway
The specialized resource offers patients with ALK-positive lung cancer and their caregivers access to information, scientific news, webinars, and community
A Work in Progress: Developing Personalized Medicine for SCLC
Personalized medicine, in which the molecular profile of each patient’s tumor helps customize the course of treatment, has been useful in treating many types of cancer, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, for patients diagnosed with extensive small cell lung cancer (SCLC), the treatment plans are mostly one size fits all.
LUNGevity Welcomes Eugene Manley, Jr, PhD, as Director of Community Engagement
Dr. Manley, Jr, brings years of experience focused on equitable access to health care
eRACE - LP
eRACE Lung Cancer
Participate in this month-long activity challenge that brings together runners, swimmers, cyclists, and others from across the country.
Progress in Targeting MET Drivers in Advanced NSCLC
MET is a gene that encodes for a MET protein. It is an important signaling protein known to play many different important roles, from the development of embryos to wound healing in adults. However, when specific MET gene alterations occur, they can also lead to the development of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Connect with Other Lung Cancer Survivors
Support and understanding from someone who has already walked the lung cancer path can be essential to navigating a lung cancer diagnosis. Whether you are new to your diagnosis or have been navigating the disease for many years, you can find encouragement, share information, and give support by connecting with others affected by lung cancer.
Fundraiser Spotlight: Riki and Meital Wiederhorn
Riki Wiederhorn and her daughter Meital of Westport, Connecticut have taken on a new challenge, participating in their first half-marathon in memory of their belated friend, lung cancer patient and advocate, Nancy Cohen. The duo is running in the Tel Aviv half-marathon later this month and have been fundraising as part of the B.Y.O.B. (Bring Your Own Bib) program with Team LUNGevity.
Targeting lineage plasticity to suppress DTP in RET-positive lung cancer
Despite an initial response to the newly approved RET inhibiting drugs, most RET-positive lung cancers become resistant to these drugs and the cancers relapse. Dr. Watanabe’s project will provide anti-relapse therapeutic strategies for RET-positive lung cancer that target newly identified “drug-tolerant persisters (DTPs)”. DTPs are a small population of cancer cells that do not respond to these drugs and therefore start growing, leading to the relapse of these cancers. The role of DTPs in RET-positive lung cancer is not well understood. Dr. Watanabe proposes therapeutic strategies, such as targeting the Wnt and Hippo signaling pathway to overcome the DTP adaptability and prevent relapse before these cells arise.
T cell receptor engineering for the treatment of RET fusion-positive NSCLC
Despite advances in the development of RET inhibitors, patients with RET fusions eventually progress. Immunotherapy has been inefficient in patients harboring RET fusions. However, RET fusion proteins themselves may be immunogenic and give rise to an immune response. Dr. Reuben hypothesizes that RET fusions give rise to immunogenic antigens which can be effectively recognized and targeted by engineered T-cells. This project will identify which antigens can elicit an immune response. This information will be used to engineer customized T-cells to gain the ability to recognize those cancer cells that produce these RET fusion proteins. The ultimate goal is to offer new therapeutic alternatives by expanding the possibility of immunotherapy treatment in the overwhelming majority of NSCLC patients harboring RET fusions.
MET and EGFR as biomarkers for amivantamab in overcoming RET TKI resistance
Two possible pathways that seem to be important for resistance to RET inhibitors are the EGFR and MET signaling pathways. Conventional methods of detecting EGFR or MET resistance may not identify many cases where both pathways are involved. In this study, Dr. Patil will use several different laboratory techniques to better detect and define EGFR and MET resistance. He anticipates that the EGFR and MET pathways can be blocked by a newer drug called amivantamab, which is a bi-specific antibody that specifically targets both EGFR and MET.
Novel structure-based and combinatorial approaches for RET-fusion NSCLC
There is an urgent need to identify new agents or combination therapies to benefit patients whose tumors have developed resistance to current RET inhibitors. Currently, the true extent of RET-dependent (resistance mutations in the RET gene) versus RET-independent mechanisms of resistance is unknown. Dr. Heymach’s team will study mechanisms and biomarkers of RET-independent drug resistance and test different drug combinations to overcome RET inhibitor resistance.
Identifying non-genomic mechanisms of RET TKI resistance
Many RET-positive cancers become resistant to targeted therapy for reasons not clearly based on genetic changes alone. Dr. Drilon predicts that other causes of resistance include (1) chemical changes (in the “epigenome”) that turn cancer-causing genes on or off and (2) changes in how these cancers look under the microscope (“histology”) that affect cancer behavior. Because these changes affect cell states rather than mutations, this resistance is potentially reversible, defining a key opportunity to maintain, restore, and extend sensitivity to potent and specific RET inhibitors.
The Hamoui Foundation and LUNGevity Foundation Present Awards for RET-Positive Lung Cancer Research to Drs. Alexander Drilon, John Heymach, and Tejas Patil
Funding to improve outcomes for those with advanced RET-positive lung cancer
RETpositive and LUNGevity Foundation Partner on Innovative Lung Cancer Research Award
RET-positive lung cancer community funds research into critical areas of need
Studying Drug Resistance From a New Angle
The development of “targeted therapies” which block the function of mutant proteins within tumor cells has revolutionized the treatment landscape for many cancers, most of all lung cancer. EGFR is one such protein which is often altered (mutated) in lung cancers. Over the past decade, multiple EGFR targeted therapies have been developed, with each generation of drugs becoming increasingly potent.
LUNGevity Partners with ALK Positive to Award $1.5 Million in Lung Cancer Research Grants
Collaboration for patient-driven research that has lifesaving potential
LUNGevity Foundation Issues Request for Applications for 2022 Pierre Massion Young Investigator Award for Early Detection Research
New award program honors the late Dr. Massion, internationally renowned expert in lung cancer early detection and prevention strategies; applications are now available online
LUNGevity Foundation Issues 2022 Requests for Applications for Two Lung Cancer Research Award Programs Supporting Minority Investigators
Applications are now available online
LUNGevity Foundation Issues Request for Applications for 2022 Career Development Awards in Lung Cancer Translational Research
Applications are now available online
LUNGevity Foundation Issues 2022 Request for Applications for Lung Cancer Translational Research Award Supporting Veterans Affairs Researchers
Applications are now available online
LUNGevity Partners with ALK Positive to Award $1.5 Million in Lung Cancer Research Grants
Collaboration for patient-driven research that has lifesaving potential
Five Things Homeowners Need to Know About Radon
January is National Radon Awareness Month
New Options in Adjuvant Therapy for Early-Stage NSCLC
Historically, surgery has been the most effective treatment for patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). While technological improvements, such as the development of minimally invasive techniques (such as video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery or VATS), have made surgeries safer for patients, the ability to cure early-stage NSCLC patients hasn’t improved significantly in recent decades. Even after successful surgeries that completely remove the visible tumor, about half of these patients will face a recurrence with their cancer coming back within five years.
An Overview of Biomarker Testing
In recent years, biomarker testing has grown increasingly more important and more complex as researchers understand critical details about the molecular basis of lung cancer. By testing the genomic make-up of each individual’s lung cancer, oncologists are better equipped to recommend treatment plans that are optimized for patient outcomes.
United Airlines NYC Half
Caregiver Spotlight: Myra Aldarondo
In the spring of 2021, Myra’s husband Kelvin had COVID-19. After, he had a lingering cough and shortness of breath. His chest hurt a bit when he breathed. They assumed it was pneumonia or at least COVID-related. They never guessed it would be lung cancer.
Omicron: What We Know So Far and How You Can Stay Safe This Holiday Season
By now, you have probably heard the news that scientists have discovered a new variant of the virus that causes COVID-19. This one is called omicron, a letter in the Greek alphabet, and joins the family of other SARS-CoV-2 variants including alpha, beta, gamma, delta, lamba, and mu.
Resources for Lung Cancer Caregivers
Being a caregiver for someone with lung cancer can be rewarding, but it can also be challenging. This is because a lung cancer diagnosis is life-changing for both the person with the disease and their caregiver.
LUNGevity Foundation Awards Inaugural Health Equity for Communities Research Awards
Investigators to create programs to address barriers to equitable lung cancer healthcare in high-risk populations
Tailoring Screening and Smoking Cessation for the LGBTQ community
The lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer (LGBTQ) community faces several health disparities, including a higher rate of lung cancer due to increased rates of tobacco use in this group. Dr. Triplette will partner with an urban LGBTQ community center to create and evaluate a tailored lung cancer screening and smoking cessation navigation program to specifically address the needs of this community. By directly partnering with stakeholders and community members, he plans to develop a sustainable program that will assist LGBTQ community members with both screening and cessation that can then be disseminated to improve the health of LGBTQ patients across the country.
CBPR intervention to decrease lung cancer stigma and health disparities
The use of mindfulness has the potential to address the multiple intersections of stigma in high-risk lung cancer groups inclusive of racial/ethnic and LGBTQ+ communities. A known approach of mindfulness (MOST) that has proven utility in other cancer-related fields has not been examined to a great extent in reducing stigma from lung cancer.
Dr. Riley is testing an innovative community-based participatory research (CBPR) and Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST) method to develop a brief virtual mindfulness intervention to decrease intersectional stigma. Dr. Riley will examine the reach, acceptability, and feasibility to underserved intersectional groups, including Black, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ lung cancer patients. This research project has a high likelihood of improving health behaviors and health outcomes for several communities.
My Littlest Inspirations
My lung cancer came suddenly and severely back in March of 2015. It started with a sudden onset of what I thought was vertigo on a Wednesday. By Friday morning, it had changed dramatically, and I knew it was time to see a doctor.
Caregiver Spotlight: Bill Hogan
The day my wife Heather found out she had lung cancer was the day that everything changed. In that moment, our plans for the future disappeared. Our focus for the present became just lung cancer.
The Hope of a Productive Day
I was only 30 years old when I was diagnosed with lung cancer. Before I was diagnosed, I spent 5 days in the hospital to have tests done. Even though they told me it could be cancer, I never thought that would even be a possibility. I was only 30 years old – how could I have cancer?
Cancer Won’t Stop You
After battling a persistent cough for six months, I went in for a chest x-ray. This was July 2020, right in the thick of the pandemic, which is why I put off going in for so long. After nothing we tried seemed to help the cough, though, I knew it was time to figure out what was going on inside my lungs.
La Esperanza
Read Fran's story in English.
Me diagnosticaron cáncer de pulmón en estadio IV en 2012 cuando solo tenía 39 años. En ese momento, no había pruebas disponibles para determinar qué tipo de cáncer de pulmón tenía. Todo lo que sabía era que "era cáncer de pulmón, nada más".
Caregiver Spotlight: Ben Schachtel
I had just graduated college in 2013 when my dad was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. Like most people diagnosed with advanced lung cancer, the discovery of his disease was a fluke. His car was rear-ended, which led to an x-ray, which showed a mass in his lung. He was given a 50% chance of living six months.
The Power of Positivity
There are two mantras I repeat to myself and others: “Don’t count the days, make the days count,” coined by Mohammad Ali, and “Cancer didn’t bring me to my knees; it brought me to my feet,” said by Michael Douglas. Another mantra I like is one of my own creation: “My mind and soul can heal my body.”
What I like about these quotes is their positivity. I’ve always believed a positive attitude could help fight my lung cancer.
Achieving my Dreams After Cancer Diagnosis
I was diagnosed with lung cancer in July 2020. I was stage IV non-small cell adenocarcinoma with metastases in my lymph nodes.
My diagnosis was devastating. I was experiencing such severe physical symptoms, such as intense coughing to the point of coughing up blood, that I wasn’t sure I would ever be able to lead a normal life again. It felt like everything was coming to an end and I would never be able to achieve my dreams.
Caregiver Spotlight: Jennifer Rice
Caregiver is a funny term to me. There have been times in this process I’ve felt like one, but most of the time, I haven’t needed to take that role. My husband, who is an advanced stage lung cancer survivor, doesn’t need care. He isn’t bedbound or sickly; he’s out biking and golfing on the weekends.
LUNGevity Foundation Launches "Inhale for Life: Find it Early and Live" Public Service and Social Media Campaign During Lung Cancer Awareness Month
Medical experts and people living with lung cancer share the importance of early detection of lung cancer to ensure optimal patient outcomes
The Next Big Thing
It all started innocently enough with a swollen lymph node above my collar bone. As a family nurse practitioner, I knew this was a bit unusual. When it persisted for a week or so, I thought it time to have it checked out.
A last minute decision by the provider I saw to do a chest x-ray most likely was the first, but certainly not the last time in this journey that my life was saved. That lymph node turned out to be stage IV non-small cell lung cancer.
LUNGevity Foundation’s No One Missed Campaign Launches Year-Long #KnowYourBiomarker Storytelling Initiative to Drive Awareness of Comprehensive Biomarker Testing in Lung Cancer
Campaign recognizes November as “KNOWvember” during Lung Cancer Awareness Month
Advocate Spotlight: AJ Patel
AJ Patel is an eight-year stage IV lung cancer survivor. Back in 2013, he was told he might not survive six months. After battling a complex craniotomy, several rounds of chemo and radiation, AJ was losing hope. Biomarker testing was not well known then, but the doctor ordered the test and it literally saved his life.
LUNGevity Foundation Launches New Lung Cancer Patient Gateways
The first of six innovative, specialized patient resources, the KRAS gateway allows patients to easily access KRAS-specific information and connect to community
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Patient Gateways
Get resources and information tailored for people with your specific type of lung cancer
Patient Gateways: Leading to a New Destination in Lung Cancer Care
This week, LUNGevity Foundation is launching a brand-new initiative called Lung Cancer Patient Gateways. The concept is to provide a “one-stop shop” of information and resources for patients and caregivers navigating a lung cancer diagnosis. We will be creating a total of six (6) Patient Gateways, broken out by lung cancer biomarker or subtype, including KRAS, EGFR, ALK, Rare Mutations and Fusions (ROS1, RET, MET, NTRK, BRAF and others), non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC).
Meeting Your Legislators: An Advocate’s Experience
The first time I met with my representatives was in Washington, DC in 2018. It was part of a grassroots movement called Life & Breath Rally. We were each paired with another advocate and “cold called” our Congressional representatives, which basically meant we went to the Capitol and knocked on doors.
Pulmonary Rehab for Lung Cancer
Some people with lung cancer have reduced lung function from their cancer or their treatments, like surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. People with diminished lung functional capacity or shortness of breath may find pulmonary rehabilitation, a medical program that helps manage breathing, to be a helpful part of their palliative care.
Dr. Patricia Fogelman, DNP, a palliative care provider, talked to us to help us learn more about pulmonary rehab and its benefits.
Improving Immunotherapy Outcomes for Patients with Advanced NSCLC
Checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy has revolutionized lung cancer treatment and ushered in a new era of scientific discovery that is focused on empowering our natural immune system to target and eradicate lung cancer. While some patients see a strong long-lasting benefit from checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy, there remains a significant proportion of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who do not show a lasting benefit.
The COVID-19 Third Dose and Booster Shot Explained
Editor's Note: Post was updated on 10/21 with new recommendations and authorizations.
There has been a lot of information recently about COVID-19 boosters and who should get them and when. Here, LUNGevity’s Dr. Amy Moore, a PhD trained virologist and recognized expert on issues at the intersection of COVID-19 and lung cancer, answers some common questions about boosters and who should get them and when.
Find Your Tribe
I used to think support groups were for weak people. Then, I found LUNGevity and Lung Cancer Support Community – boy, did that change my mind.
I discovered LUNGevity’s message board, Lung Cancer Support Community (LCSC), right after they found a rapidly growing nodule in my right lung. At the time, I had just retired early to be a full-time caregiver for my wife, who was in advanced stages of dementia, and I already felt mentally strained.
Let’s walk TOGETHER for lung cancer this fall!
Breathe Deep TOGETHER, LUNGevity’s nationwide walk, is back this fall during Lung Cancer Awareness Month! Join the entire Breathe Deep community on November 6th to help stop lung cancer.
Managing Your Mental Health with Cancer
Good mental health, or our emotional, psychological, and social well-being, is essential for overall health. Being diagnosed and living with cancer, however, can impact our mental health. It can affect how we think, feel, and act, so it’s important to recognize this change and find strategies to cope.
It’s Time to Get Your Annual Flu Shot
Flu vaccinations are the best way to help protect against the flu. Each year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that everyone 6 months of age and older receive the vaccination. Getting an annual flu shot is particularly important for those who have been affected by lung cancer, including patients, survivors, caregivers, and others who are frequently around a lung cancer patient.
CancerCare Donates Lung Cancer URL to LUNGevity Foundation to Connect More People Affected by Lung Cancer with the Resources They Need
Donation of lungcancer.org expands impactful long-term partnership
Fundraiser Spotlight: Kristina Burke
“Couples who have cancer together, stay together,” says Kristina Burke, a breast cancer survivor who is also primary caregiver to her husband Jim, who has stage IV EGFR lung cancer. “It’s hard to be in a family where two people have cancer. But we’re in it together and that’s what gets us through.”
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LUNGevity Spotlight
Nominate someone living with lung cancer or a caregiver, volunteer, or fundraiser who is making a positive impact in the LUNGevity community.
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Ask Nutrition Questions
Your questions may be answered in an upcoming Savor Health blog post!
Disparities in NSCLC molecular testing
Investigating incidental pulmonary nodules in underserved communities
Improving lung cancer screening adherence among underserved populations
Ensuring precision-medicine delivery for veterans with lung cancer
Measuring provider engagement in lung cancer screening
Addressing hepatic siphoning to enhance immunotherapy efficacy in veterans
How KRAS mutations affect gene expression in lung cancer
Optimizing biomarker based strategies for lung cancer screening
Currently, low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) is the only tool for the screening and early detection of lung cancer in individuals who meet screening criteria. LDCT is not very sensitive; often, abnormalities identified in an LDCT scan turn out to be benign. However, ruling out cancer requires an invasive biopsy. Dr. Vachani is testing whether a biomarker signature can be integrated into LDCT screening to improve the sensitivity of LDCT so that patients may be spared unnecessary biopsies.
Pilot study of SGLT2 in the characterization of early lung adenocarcinoma
The protein SGL2 seems to be produced in higher quantities on abnormal lung cells than on normal lung cells. Dr. Scafoglio is testing whether SGL2 can be used to image lung cancer cells by using a new imaging technology.
Innate immunity as a mechanism of TKI resistance in fusion-driven NSCLC
Fusion-driven NSCLC is a group of lung cancers that are driven by specific changes in oncogenes. These lung cancers tend to be addicted to these oncogenes. Such fusion-driven NSCLCs are treated with targeted therapies that block the effect of the oncogenes. However, the cancer inevitably comes back because the tumors become resistant. Traditionally, fusion-driven NSCLCs have not been successfully treated with immunotherapy. Dr. Schenk is testing how these cancers can be treated with immunotherapy through another immune pathway—the innate immunity pathway.
Targeting myeloid-derived suppressor cells in lung cancer
Immunotherapy has become a standard treatment regimen for advanced-stage non-small cell lung cancer. However, most patients do not respond. One significant barrier to immunotherapy efficacy is the tumor microenvironment (TME), which contains immunosuppressive cells, including myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). MDSCs represent an important tumor immune escape mechanism and play a role in the development and progression of lung cancer. Dr. Owen will be studying how this group of cells can be targeted to improve the effect of immunotherapy.
Our Public Policy Approach - LP
Our Public Policy Approach
LUNGevity is a well established thought leader in lung cancer policy, particularly around issues that pertain to advancement of innovation and access to care
LC in the News 09/16/2021
Drs. Anil Vachani and Claudio Scafoglio Awarded LUNGevity Foundation 2021 Early Detection Awards
LUNGevity maintains commitment to fund impactful research to catch lung cancer in its earliest and most treatable stages
Drs. Erik Knelson, Dwight Owen, and Erin Schenk receive 10th annual LUNGevity Career Development Awards
Awards support exceptional young researchers to augment the lung cancer research pipeline and advance the field
CDA Awardee Aims to Re-sensitize SCLC Patients to Chemotherapy
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) accounts for about 15% of all lung cancers, and is found most often in people with a history of tobacco exposure. SCLC is an aggressive disease with cancer cells that grow and divide rapidly. Because chemotherapy targets fast-growing cells, patients with SCLC often have good results with initial chemotherapy treatment. However, it is common for patients to develop chemotherapy resistance and then have their cancer progress unchecked.
Drs. Michael Green, Jennifer Lewis, Manali Patel, and Harold Bien receive first-ever LUNGevity VA Research Scholar Awards
LUNGevity supports lung cancer researchers who serve veterans, a high-risk population
LUNGevity awards inaugural Health Equity and Inclusiveness Lung Cancer Research Awards
Awards support outstanding early-stage lung cancer researchers from underrepresented populations
Raymond U. Osarogiagbon, MBBS, FACP, named LUNGevity Foundation’s Community Champion honoree
A tireless advocate for equity in lung cancer care and treatment, Dr. Osarogiagbon offers much-needed leadership for medically underserved communities in the Mid-South.
Fundraiser Spotlight: JC Memorial Golf Outing - Fore the Cure
After their childhood friend Jordan Christie was diagnosed with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer at the age of 25, friends Kyle, Jessica, Colin, Matt, Kellie, Julie, and Mike wanted to help. They saw first-hand how difficult living with lung cancer could be. The friends knew they could have an impact by raising money to help fund the two things that helped Jordan the most: new treatments and support programs.
Community Champion: Raymond Osarogiagbon, MBBS, FACP
Dr. Raymond Osarogiagbon, MBBS, FACP is LUNGevity Foundation’s third Community Champions recipient.
During his tenure at Baptist Memorial Health Care, Dr. Osarogiagbon has overseen the successful growth of Baptist’s lung cancer initiatives, targeting communities across Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee. These efforts include a tobacco control program, low-dose CT lung cancer screenings, with the ultimate goal of reducing lung cancer mortality in the Mid-South.
Life As a Long-Term Cancer Survivor
I was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer in August 2013. Many people don’t understand that if you are diagnosed with advanced stage lung cancer like me, there is currently no cure. There are drugs that help treat the cancer and give you more time on this planet, but you have to deal with long-term effects for the rest of your life.
Accepting a Lung Cancer Diagnosis
Coming to terms with a lung cancer diagnosis can be difficult. You might feel anxious, angry, or out of control. You might have difficulty sleeping or perhaps unable to even talk about your diagnosis. According to Leigh Ann Caulkins, MSW, LCSW, ACHIP-SW, Oncology Clinical Therapist at Inova Fairfax Medical Campus in Falls Church, VA, this is all completely normal. It’s called an “adjustment reaction.”
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Health Equity Council
LUNGevity is proud to be guided by leaders from a variety of lived experiences, racial/ethnic identities, gender identities, areas of professional expertise, and more.
LUNGevity Foundation and Partner RETpositive Issue 2022 Request for Applications for RET-Positive Translational Lung Cancer Research
LUNGevity Foundation and Partner RETpositive Issue 2022 Request for Applications for RET-Positive Translational Lung Cancer Research
LUNGevity Foundation and Partner Hamoui Family Foundation Issue 2022 Request for Applications for RET-Positive Clinical Lung Cancer Research
Funding to improve outcomes for those with advanced RET-positive lung cancer; applications now available online
Stacey Alphas
Bristol Myers Squibb
Associate Director, Clinical Trial Engagement Strategy
What is Cancer Cachexia?
This article is intended to be used for informational purposes and not to be taken as medical advice. The piece was reviewed for accuracy by Dr. Richard Dunne, MD, medical oncologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Rochester.
Cancer cachexia, also known as wasting syndrome or anorexia-cachexia, is estimated to affect 50% of lung cancer patients. Despite being common, most patients don’t know what it is or even if they have it.
Survivorship Events
Survivorship Events
LUNGevity's unique survivorship events are designed to inform, connect, and empower anyone who has been affected by lung cancer
Tribute Funds
Tribute Funds
LUNGevity Tribute Funds help you honor a loved one and raise money in their name.
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Fundraise for LUNGevity
Find a fundraising event or create your own to raise money for lifesaving research, education, support, and services.
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Planned Giving
Use a will, trust, or IRA to make a future gift and support the next family diagnosed with lung cancer.
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Monthly Giving
Set up a monthly recurring donation to make a lasting impact.
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Gifts of Stock
Donate stock to support our work and get potentially favorable tax savings for yourself.
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Participate in an Event
See all the events LUNGevity hosts, from weekly meetups to webinars and large community gatherings.
Balancing Lung Cancer and My Career
The night before I was diagnosed with lung cancer, my doctor called me at 7pm, asking me to come in the next day; it was an emergency. I wasn’t sure exactly what she was going to tell me, but I had had my lungs scanned earlier that day to check on a small spot, so I assumed the worst.
Improving the Presentation of Clinical Trial Physical Function Data
In recent years, great strides have been made in understanding and treating lung cancer. While we’re excited to see these many developments, our priority at LUNGevity is to ensure patient voices, priorities, and experiences are considered as part of these improvements. In the clinical trial space, despite more calls for greater patient centricity, there are still areas lacking, such as how patient-reported data are analyzed and presented.
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Donate Now
Make a donation to support our work and the lung cancer community.
Running a Half-Ironman as a Lung Cancer Survivor
The day before my lung biopsy, May 18, 2020, I ran 7 miles. As I was running, I couldn’t help but think there is no way I have lung cancer. Yet, when the results of my biopsy came back, that’s exactly what I was diagnosed with: stage I adenocarcinoma non-small cell lung cancer.
It’s rare to be diagnosed as stage I; in fact, only about 18% of people are. That’s why I call it my “incidentally-noma,” a little joke as a retired nurse about my lung cancer being found completely by accident.
Exercise after Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery
53 days after Julie Jones had video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) to remove the lower lobe of her right lung, Julie ran a half marathon. Even more impressive, she finished only about 10 minutes slower than her previous half marathon, about three weeks before her lung surgery.
Advice from a Long-term Lung Cancer Survivor
It started as a tickle in my throat. I noticed that every time I spoke, I had to keep clearing my throat. At first, it was okay because it was just happening every now and then. As time went on, however, it became more pronounced; I would have to clear my throat every few words or sentences.
LUNGevity Foundation Names NFN Scout, MA, PhD, as Community Champions Honoree
A well-regarded leader in health equity education, this month’s honoree works to eliminate inequalities in cancer care within the LGBTQ community
Community Champion: Scout, MA, PhD
Scout, MA, PhD, is LUNGevity Foundation’s second Community Champions recipient. He is the Executive Director of the National LGBT Cancer Network and the principal investigator for both the CDC-funded LGBTQ tobacco-related cancer disparity network and Out: The National Cancer Survey.
Advocate Spotlight: Sarah Christ
Sarah Christ was diagnosed with stage 4 lung adenocarcinoma (EGFR+) in December of 2016. After several cycles of chemotherapy, as well as radiation to six small brain metastases, she is currently thriving on targeted therapy. She lives on the beautiful east end of Long Island with her wife and children, where she can be found either in the garden or on the beach.
How did you first get involved with LUNGevity as a lung cancer advocate?
Glossary
Glossary
Explore a robust glossary of terms and acronyms related to lung cancer.
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Video Library
Browse video content covering topics like education, support programs, survivor stories, and more.
More Resources for Patients & Caregivers
More Resources for Patients & Caregivers
Browse additional resources selected to help you find more information and support.
Family Reach's Financial Treatment Program
Family Reach's Financial Treatment Program
Find support services to help you manage your finances while living with a lung cancer diagnosis.
Intelligent Nutrition Assistant
Intelligent Nutrition Assistant
Eating a healthy diet can play an important role in lung cancer care. Ina®, a personal intelligent nutrition assistant, is available 24/7 for on-demand support.
Get Educational Materials
Get Educational Materials
View and download materials about lung cancer, raising awareness in your community, and vital support services for survivors and their loved ones.
Checklists
Checklists
View and download checklists to help you prepare for doctor visits and traveling.
Gratitude for Each Day
I was diagnosed with stage IV adenocarcinoma at the end of July 2019. As a female non-smoker, I was shocked. But I shouldn't have been. Unlike many people diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer who did not experience symptoms, I had respiratory issues for several years prior to my diagnosis, and chest pain led me to the ER in 2017 and 2018. The chest x-rays showed nothing unusual according to the reports, and in 2018 I was told it was probably a pulled muscle.
Good news for KRAS Lung Cancer Patients
On May 28, 2021, the global lung cancer community celebrated news that the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has granted accelerated approval for sotarasib as a second-line treatment for adults with KRAS G12C-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with locally advanced or metastatic disease.
Follow-up After Screening - LP
Follow-up After Screening
The results are in, and now what? Learn about the important steps you need to take after a follow-up screening.
Lung Nodules - LP
Lung Nodules
Lung nodules can be quite common, and most are not cancerous, but it is important to understand what they are and how they may impact your treatment plan.
Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Team - LP
Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Team
Help guide your treatment conversations at every step with this series of questions for you to ask your healthcare team.
How Is Screening Done? - LP
How Is Screening Done?
Discover what to expect during a low-dose CT scan for lung cancer.
Are You Eligible for Screening - LP
Are You Eligible for Screening?
See if the present guidelines suggest that you should be screened for lung cancer. Start the quiz now.
Who Should Be Screened? - LP
Who Should Be Screened?
Understand what the present guidelines are for lung cancer screening and how that may impact your doctor’s recommendation.
Early Lung Cancer Screening - LP
Why Is Early Detection Important?
Finding lung cancer early, when it is most treatable, can save lives. Learn about early detection and what you need to know about lung cancer screening.
How Lung Cancer Develops - LP
How Lung Cancer Develops
Understand how the lungs work, how lung cancer develops, and how it can metastasize (spread to another part of the body).
Risk Factors - LP
Risk Factors
Take an in-depth look at the many risk factors associated with lung cancer, including tobacco smoke, radon, and air pollution.
Cancer is just a word...
When I was first diagnosed with lung cancer, I wasn’t given a stage. It made me feel hopeful, like I had a mild form of cancer and I could take some medication and be okay. Someone even asked me what stage my cancer was, and I told them I didn’t have a stage. I look back at the time and wonder how I thought it was even possible.
DIY Events
DIY Events
Get inspired to start your own event and see how real people can make a real difference.
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Galas & Special Events
Our premier events bring together leaders in the fields of business, civics, and philanthropy for a night of celebration and inspiration. See how you can get involved.
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Team LUNGevity Endurance Events
Run, bike, swim, climb, and more to help us stop lung cancer.
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Breathe Deep
This nationwide walk brings our Breathe Deep community TOGETHER for a morning of celebration, hope, and remembrance for all those affected by lung cancer.
Public Policy LP
Public Policy
LUNGevity works to improve how people are diagnosed with, navigate, and live with lung cancer by working in a strategic manner with regulators, legislators, policymakers, and other advocates in the lung cancer community.
Patient-focused Research Center (Patient FoRCe) LP
Patient-focused Research Center (Patient FoRCe)
LUNGevity’s research center is designed to connect the patients’ voice with healthcare professionals, policymakers, and developers of drugs to help inform their decisions.
Reasons for Hope in Lung Cancer
May is Lung Cancer Hope Month, a celebration of the progress for people living with lung cancer—new treatment options, more clinical trials, and people living longer and better with their disease.
Speaker Series - LP
Health Equity Speaker Series
We believe collaborations accelerate results. Our programs are built with input from or in partnership with key community stakeholders
Our Approach to Health Equity - LP
Our Approach to Health Equity
We are informed by data, identify and implement best practices, and know the importance of action and collaboration to create change.
Precision Medicine Initiatives - LP
Precision Medicine Initiatives
LUNGevity is working along the entire spectrum of care to drive access to precision medicine.
LUNGevity Action Network - LP
LUNGevity Action Network
Join the LUNGevity Action Network to stay updated on advocacy news, sign petitions, and send messages to policymakers.
Volunteer Spotlight: Lisa Hutter
Lisa Hutter was born and raised in New York. She is a 5-year stage 1 lung cancer survivor and committee member for Breathe Deep NYC. She has spoken at several Breathe Deep NYC events. Lisa has been teaching Spanish for 21 years. When not working, Lisa and her husband Kenny enjoy traveling the world and spending time with their dogs Coalie and Max.
How did you first get involved with LUNGevity as a volunteer?
Contact Us
Contact Us
To change outcomes for people with lung cancer, we need you. Your thoughts and questions can make the difference.
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LUNGevity Publications
We believe in evidence. These peer-reviewed publications and white papers support the science behind our initiatives.
Understanding Your Results
Understanding Your Results
Once your screening results are in, then what? In this section, you’ll learn about what the results may mean and how to take any next steps to care for yourself.
Early Lung Cancer Screening
Early Lung Cancer Screening
Who should be screened? How is screening done? Get the facts here, plus take the quiz to determine whether you are a candidate for lung cancer screening.
Learn About Your Risk
Learn About Your Risk
From risk factors to how lung cancer develops, this section will provide you with a greater understanding of how and why lung cancer can develop.
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Be an Advocate
Advocate for public policy changes and raise awareness of lung cancer.
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Ways to Give
Explore the different ways you can donate to and support the lung cancer community.
Lung Cancer Screening: What People Need to Know
According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately 70% of lung cancer patients are initially diagnosed with advanced-stage disease, which is more difficult to treat than early-stage cancer. Patients who are current or former smokers may be eligible to get regular lung cancer screenings to monitor their lungs for disease. By taking advantage of regular lung cancer screening, the hope is that we can catch lung cancers earlier, when they are the most treatable.
EGFR Resisters and LUNGevity Support Research into TKI-Induced NSCLC Transformation
Approximately 23% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have an EGFR-positive mutation. Advanced-stage NSCLC patients whose tumors have an EGFR mutation are often treated with one of several drugs known as TKIs (tyrosine kinase inhibitors) that have been developed to target tumors with EGFR mutations. Over the past decade, five TKI inhibitors have been introduced to treat patients with EGFR-positive NSCLC.
I am a Supporter Advocate
I Am a Supporter, Advocate, or Donor
Screening for Lung Cancer
Screening for
Lung Cancer
Community Champion: Karriem Watson
Karriem Watson, DHSc, MS, MPH, is LUNGevity Foundation’s first Community Champions recipient. He sat down with LUNGevity to discuss his career path, his passion for community engagement, and disparities in healthcare.
Tell us about your role within your organization. What led you to your current career path?
LUNGevity Foundation Community Champions Program Launched with Karriem Watson, DHS, MS, MPH, as the First Honoree
The program recognizes community leaders whose work exemplifies best practices in supporting people with lung cancer in at-risk communities
LUNGevity Foundation Issues Request for Applications for New Health Equity for Communities Research Award
The award will support young investigators interested in community-based participatory research whose projects address disparities and promote health equity in lung cancer
Understanding Histological Transformation in EGFR-positive NSCLC
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are a class of drugs used to treat patients with certain types of advanced-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Each TKI targets cancer cells with a specific mutation, including EGFR mutations. Five TKIs have been FDA-approved to treat patients with EGFR mutations: afatinib, dacomitinib, erlotinib, gefitinib, and osimertinib. While these treatments have had success in treating EGFR-positive NSCLC, many cancers begin to grow at point during treatment.
May is Lung Cancer Hope Month
LUNGevity established May as Lung Cancer Hope Month to celebrate the incredible strides in research and survivorship for the lung cancer community. Each year, we have more reasons to be hopeful—more treatments are being approved, more people are being diagnosed earlier, the community of advocates is growing stronger, and many people are living longer and better with the disease.