Read time: 4 minutes.
The LUNGevity Conversations that Count speaker series offers an opportunity to stay informed, engage in critical discussions, and learn from leading experts advancing lung cancer care for people who experience barriers to accessing high-quality care.
Read time: 5 minutes.
The 2026 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) brought the global thoracic oncology community to Seoul, South Korea from September 12–15. This year's theme, "Science Without Boundaries: Uniting the World Against Thoracic Cancer," was particularly fitting for small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Data from two exciting phase 3 clinical trials were discussed as part of the conference’s plenary sessions and we saw scientific progress across every part of the patient journey.
Throughout November, LUNGevity will mobilize communities nationwide to support research, expand awareness of early detection, and improve the lives of people affected by lung cancer.
White flag installations across the country, including 60,000 flags on the National Mall, honor lives lost and mobilize action on lung cancer screening, research, and access to care
Innovative research builds on existing breakthroughs to overcome drug resistance in RET-positive cancers
$600K+ investment leverages combination of FDA approved treatments to overcome drug resistance in EGFR-positive lung cancer
New awards support research spanning early detection, immunotherapy resistance, predictive biomarkers, and personalized treatment
Read time: 3 minutes.
For people affected by lung cancer, research is a source of hope: finding cancer earlier, developing more effective treatments, and helping people live better with the disease.
LUNGevity’s latest round of research funding supports scientists working to create a future with better options for everyone affected by lung cancer.
The program's five coordinated projects will map the barriers and unmet needs facing people with small cell lung cancer at the individual, provider, and health-system levels
Patients with RET+ NSCLC respond well to drugs called tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). However, most patients eventually develop resistance to TKIs over time. This resistance is caused by drug-tolerant persister (DTP) cells that adapt and evolve to evade treatment. In this project Dr. Patil aims to better understand how these DTP cells survive and how to eliminate them before resistance develops by studying special cellular pathways that are thought help DTP cells survive. He will test combinations of RET TKIs with drugs that block these pathways, with the goal of finding drug combinations that delay or even prevent resistance from developing in the first place. Because many of the drugs he will be testing are already used in other cancers, this could lead to new treatments for RET+ lung cancer patients.
Patients with RET fusion-positive non-small cell lung cancer (RET+ NSCLC) often respond very well to targeted drugs called RET tyrosine kinase inhibitors (RET TKIs). These medicines can shrink tumors quickly and improve symptoms. However, most patients eventually develop drug resistance, allowing the cancer to grow again. One important reason for this resistance is that a small group of cancer cells can survive treatment. These “drug-tolerant persister” (DTP) cells are not fully resistant at first, but they adapt to survive under drug pressure and can later evolve into permanently resistant cancer cells.
This project aims to better understand how DTP cells survive and identify new ways to eliminate them before resistance develops. We believe that RET inhibitors place stress on cancer cells as they attempt to divide, forcing DTP cells to rely on special DNA repair and cell-cycle checkpoint pathways to survive. These pathways may represent unique weaknesses that can be targeted with additional drugs.
Using laboratory cell lines, patient-derived tumor models, mouse models, and patient biopsy samples, we will test combinations of RET TKIs with drugs that block DNA damage repair and cell-cycle pathways, including ATR, CHK1, and WEE1 inhibitors. We will also study patient tumor samples collected before treatment, during treatment response, and after resistance develops to understand how these survival pathways change over time. Our goal is to identify treatment combinations that can delay or prevent resistance to RET-targeted therapy. Because many of these drugs already exist and are being tested in other cancers, successful results from this work could rapidly lead to new clinical trials for patients with RET+ lung cancer.
RET fusion-positive non-small cell lung cancer (RET+ NSCLC) demonstrates profound initial sensitivity to selective RET tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs); however, acquired resistance remains inevitable. Emerging evidence suggests that resistance evolution is preceded by the persistence of drug-tolerant persister cells (DTPs), a phenotypically plastic, slow-cycling subpopulation that survives RET inhibition in the absence of new genomic alterations. We hypothesize that RET inhibition induces replication stress and adaptive cell-cycle rewiring in RET+ DTPs, generating synthetic dependencies on ATR/CHK1/WEE1-mediated DNA damage response (DDR) and cell-cycle checkpoint control (CCC) pathways. Because several RET fusion partners, including KIF5B, CCDC6, and TRIM24, regulate mitotic progression, checkpoint signaling, and DNA repair, RET-driven tumors may exhibit unique vulnerabilities during DTP-mediated cell-cycle re-entry.
To interrogate these vulnerabilities, we will evaluate combinations of RET TKIs with DDR/CCC inhibitors using murine RET-driven models (TR.1/TR.2, Trim24-RET), patient-derived RET+ cell lines (CUTO22, CUTO32, CUTO42), and organoid systems. Candidate agents include ceralasertib, prexasertib, olaparib, abemaciclib, adavosertib, and alisertib. Drug sensitivity, proliferation kinetics, apoptosis, and checkpoint activation will be quantified using immunofluorescence-based cell-cycle analyses and IC50 modeling. Lead combinations will subsequently be validated in orthotopic RET-driven lung cancer models, with endpoints including tumor regression, time-to-progression, and tolerability.
Complementary longitudinal spatial single-cell profiling of pretreatment, on-treatment, and resistant RET+ NSCLC patient specimens will define therapy-associated replication stress and proliferative states using multiplex imaging of Ki-67, phospho-Rb, phospho-CHK1, and ?-H2AX. Collectively, these studies aim to establish mechanistically informed combinatorial strategies targeting DTP-specific checkpoint dependencies to delay or prevent acquired resistance to RET-directed therapy.
RET-positive cancers are treated with selective RET inhibitors (SRIs). However, resistance and tumor progression eventually occur. Current approaches to combat this are ineffective due to the ability of resistant tumors to acquire different genetic mutations while increasing in numbers. In this project, Dr. Wu will investigate the use of SRIs in combination with FDA-approved antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), which kill proliferating tumor cells while sparing healthy cells - to target residual tumors. If successful, this could change treatment strategies for RET-positive cancers. Simultaneously, Dr. Wu will also develop a clinical trial protocol for SRI-ADC combination therapy in people with RET-positive cancers.
RET-positive lung, thyroid, or other cancer types are treated with selective RET inhibitors (SRIs) selpercatinib and pralsetinib. Unfortunately, most patients treated with SRIs have drug-tolerant residual tumors that eventually progress. Current approach is to co-inhibit RET and specific genetic mutations that drive rapid growth of resistant tumors when the disease progresses. However, the effectiveness of this approach is short-lived, because metastatic tumors can acquire many different mutations, which quickly exhaust possible drug combinations. Thus, rather than co-targeting individual genetic mechanisms, we believe that a better strategy is to co-target RET and a converged vulnerability shared by all non-genetic and genetic mechanisms of SRI tolerance before the disease progresses. We identified slow proliferation as a shared vulnerability across different SRI-tolerant residual tumors. Several antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) that kill proliferating tumor cells while sparing normal cells have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for cancer treatment. In this study, we will evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of SRI-ADC combination treatment to eliminate SRI-tolerant residual tumors. If it works, our study will reveal a paradigm-shifting approach to 1) increase the depth of tumor response, which in turn will yield a more durable treatment response; and better yet 2) eradicate the residual tumors to achieve a cure. Concurrently, we will develop a clinical trial protocol and seek its approval from the FDA and institutional committees to start a clinical trial of SRI-ADC combination therapy in RET-positive cancer patients.
Most selective RET inhibitor (SRI)-treated cancer patients have SRI-tolerant residual tumors that inevitably progress. Current treatment strategies target genetic mechanisms when the resistance has developed. However, heterogeneity in residual tumors can quickly exhaust the possible drug combinations. Rather than targeting individual genetic mechanisms, a better strategy is to co-target a phenotypical vulnerability shared by non-genetic and genetic mechanisms of SRI tolerance in residual tumors. We identified the slow proliferation activity in SRI-tolerant persisters as a convergent node of their vulnerability, which can be targeted with microtubule (MT) or topoisomerase-I (Topo-I) inhibitors. Recently, MET, TROP2, or ERBB2 antibody-drug conjugates that direct MT or Topo-I inhibitor payloads to carcinoma cells, thus spare normal cells, have been approved for cancer treatment. The goal of this project is to evaluate SRI-ADC combination treatments in RET-altered cancer and to activate a clinical trial of an SRI-ADC combination therapy. The central hypothesis is that an SRI-ADC combination treatment can reduce or eradicate SRI-tolerant residual tumors. Specific Aim 1 will analyze MET, TROP2, ERRB2 expression in a panel of RET-altered cancer cells, and the activity of SRI-ADC (Teliso-V, Dato-DXd, SG,T-DXd) combinations in these cells. Specific Aim 2 will test SRI-ADC combinations selected from Aim 1 in animal models. In Specific Aim 3, we will prepare a proof-of-concept Phase I/II trial of SRI-ADC combination therapy in RET fusion+ cancer patients. Together, the project could lead to a paradigm-shifting combination therapy to improve outcomes of RET-positive cancer treatment.
Despite the strong initial efficacy of EGFR inhibitors against EGFR-mutated lung cancer, resistance to drugs like osimertinib usually develops. In this clinical trial, Dr. Parang will combine osimertinib with alectinib, a drug previously approved by the FDA to treat ALK-positive NSCLC, to treat patients with stage IV EGFR-mutant NSCLC. Alectinib is also known to inhibit a gene called FER, which has shown to be activated in drug-tolerant persister cells (DTPs). Dr. Parang hypothesizes that inhibiting FER with alectinib will eradicate DTPs and prevent resistance to osimertinib. If successful, this will provide a new and well-tolerated treatment regimen for stage IV EGFR-mutant NSCLC that reduces residual disease.
Despite tremendous therapeutic breakthroughs, patients with Stage 4 EGFR-mutated lung cancer have a poor prognosis. Their overall 5-year survival is less than 50%. This poor prognosis is largely because of one key challenge: the failure of EGFR-inhibitors like osimertinib to eliminate lung cancer completely. Osimertinib works great initially, but there is almost always “residual” cancer that persists. Eventually, the residual disease grows and creates problems for patients. Curing EGFR-mutated lung cancer requires targeting and killing this residual cancer.
We now have exciting data strongly suggesting that residual EGFR-mutant cancer relies on a key gene called FER. And if we target FER we can eradicate and kill the residual cancer that osimertinib can not. There is currently an FDA approved drug that unintentionally happens to be a potent inhibitor of FER. This proposal will test whether inhibiting FER using an FDA-approved drug is safe and effective in patients with EGFR-mutant lung cancer. It will be the first clinical trial that blocks FER in patients with cancer.
Veterans in the US face a higher risk of developing lung cancer due to increased tobacco exposure and occupational exposure to carcinogens. The VA has developed one of the country's largest lung cancer screening programs using yearly low-dose CT scans. While it is known that screening saves lives, it is not known what happens afterward to patients whose cancer is caught via screening. In this project. Dr. Heiden will study the VA records of more than 100,000 Veterans diagnosed with lung cancer over the past ten years, comparing those who had their lung cancer discovered via screening to those whose lung cancer was found in other ways, to see if there are differences in their stage at diagnosis, treatments received, and long-term survival. Findings will help the VA improve its screening program, reduce gaps in who gets screened, and improve care for Veterans. Results from this study may also help shape lung cancer screening in non-VA hospitals across the country.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States, and Veterans are at increased risk due to relatively higher smoking rates. To catch lung cancer earlier, when it is more curable, the Department of Veterans Affairs has built one of the largest lung cancer screening programs in the country, using yearly low-dose CT scans for eligible Veterans. While we know from earlier studies that screening saves lives, much less is known about what actually happens to individuals after their cancer is found through screening. For example, do they get diagnosed at earlier stages? Do they need less aggressive treatment? Do they live longer and have fewer cancer recurrences than individuals whose cancer is found in other ways, such as after symptoms develop?
No national study has yet answered these questions in a real-world healthcare setting. This project will use the VA's nationwide medical records to study more than 100,000 Veterans diagnosed with lung cancer over the past decade. We will compare Veterans whose cancer was found through screening with those whose cancer was found another way. We will look at how advanced the cancer was at diagnosis, what treatments they received, and how long they lived afterward. The findings will help the VA improve its screening program, reduce gaps in who gets screened, and guide better cancer care for Veterans. Since the VA's screening program is a national model, these results may also help shape lung cancer screening in non-VA hospitals across the country.
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the United States and disproportionately affects Veterans due to elevated smoking prevalence. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has established the nation's most comprehensive lung cancer screening (LCS) infrastructure through the National Center for Lung Cancer Screening and the Lung Precision Oncology Program. Although the National Lung Screening Trial and NELSON trial established the mortality benefit of low-dose CT screening among individuals with high-risk smoking histories, national studies are lacking which characterize the real-world presentation, treatment patterns, and long-term outcomes of screening-detected NSCLC within an integrated healthcare system.
We propose the largest national longitudinal cohort study to our knowledge comparing screening-detected and non-screening-detected NSCLC among Veterans diagnosed between 2013 and 2025, leveraging a highly unique VHA dataset of approximately 100,000 patients with NSCLC. Aim 1 will quantify temporal trends in the proportion of NSCLC cases detected through lung cancer screening from 2013-2025. Aim 2 will compare tumor- and treatment-related difference between screening-detected and non-screening-detected cases of NSCLC. Aim 3 will evaluate long-term outcomes, including overall survival and recurrence, between screening-detected and non-screening-detected NSCLC. This work will represent one of the largest national cohort studies to date characterizing the presentation, treatment, and long-term outcomes of screening-detected NSCLC, providing system-wide evidence to optimize lung cancer screening delivery for Veterans and inform civilian healthcare systems scaling similar programs.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have improved outcomes for many patients with advanced NSCLC. However, despite biomarkers such as PD-L1 expression and tumor mutational burden (TMB), it is still difficult to predict which patients will benefit from immunotherapy, and for how long. In this study, Dr. Guevara Rodriguez will utilize existing VA genomic and clinical databases to examine genomic and treatment-related factors associated with immunotherapy outcomes in the Veteran population. The overall objective is to develop a VA-based, equity-informed precision oncology framework integrating comprehensive genomic profiling with longitudinal treatment exposure and clinical outcomes to characterize durable immunotherapy benefit in Veterans with stage IV NSCLC.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have improved outcomes for many patients with advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, while some patients experience prolonged disease control and survival, others develop early progression despite receiving similar treatments. Current biomarkers such as PD-L1 expression and tumor mutational burden only partially explain these differences, and clinicians still have limited ability to predict which patients will derive durable benefit from immunotherapy.
Veterans with lung cancer represent a particularly important population because they often have substantial tobacco exposure, multiple chronic medical conditions, rural residence, and complex long-term care needs that may influence cancer outcomes and access to precision oncology. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and the VA National Precision Oncology Program (NPOP) provide a unique opportunity to study genomic and treatment-related factors associated with immunotherapy outcomes in a large national Veteran population.
This study will evaluate whether specific genomic co-mutation patterns identified through comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) are associated with durable benefit from ICIs in Veterans with advanced NSCLC. Using existing VA genomic and clinical databases, we will analyze treatment duration, disease progression, and survival outcomes among Veterans treated with immunotherapy. We will also evaluate whether race, rural residence, and comorbidity burden influence access to CGP and immunotherapy outcomes.
The goal of this project is to better understand why some Veterans benefit from immunotherapy longer than others and to support more personalized and equitable approaches to lung cancer treatment.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have transformed the treatment of advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), yet substantial heterogeneity in treatment duration and survival remains poorly understood. Although PD-L1 expression and tumor mutational burden (TMB) provide partial predictive value, integrated genomic co-mutation phenotypes associated with durable immunotherapy benefit remain incompletely characterized in real-world populations, particularly among Veterans.
We propose a retrospective multi-site cohort study using Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and VA National Precision Oncology Program (NPOP) data to evaluate associations between comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP)-derived genomic phenotypes and immunotherapy outcomes in Veterans with stage IV NSCLC treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Genomic data from Foundation Medicine and Tempus platforms will be integrated with longitudinal treatment exposure and survival outcomes.
The primary outcome will be durable immunotherapy benefit, defined as treatment duration =12 months without radiographic progression or death following ICI initiation. Secondary outcomes will include overall survival, time-to-treatment failure, and longitudinal treatment exposure patterns. Multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models will evaluate associations between genomic phenotypes and clinical outcomes while adjusting for demographic, clinical, and treatment-related covariates. Interaction and stratified analyses will evaluate whether race, rural residence, and comorbidity burden influence CGP utilization and modify genomic predictor performance.
This study leverages existing VA precision oncology infrastructure and a large national Veteran cohort to better characterize genomic patterns associated with durable immunotherapy benefit in advanced NSCLC. Findings from this project may inform future biomarker-guided immunotherapy strategies and improve equitable implementation of precision oncology within the VHA.
Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) is a form of immunotherapy that uses a patient’s T cells to target and destroy cancer cells. There are two main sources for ACT: 1) white blood cells called tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) that are taken directly from tumors, and 2) peripheral blood T cells that are genetically modified to specifically kill tumor cells. TILs are limited in their capacity and function due to challenges in extraction and unpredictability in the number of T cells that can be yielded. In this project, Dr. Delgado Cruz aims to produce a more reliable source of T cells for ACT using genetic engineering to develop tumor-draining lymph nodes (tdLNs) that have increased antitumor activity, with the ultimate goal of enhancing ACT efficacy.
Adoptive cell therapies (ACTs) focus on utilizing patient’s immune cells (T cells) and increasing their capacity to Kill Tumor cells. There are two T-cell sources for ACT: 1) tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) extracted directly from tumors, and 2) peripheral blood T cells that are genetically modified to specifically kill tumor cells. TILs are therapeutic in various solid tumors. However, most TILs have limited expansion capacity and function, requiring IL-2 treatment that can be toxic to the patient. It has been shown that naïve-like T cells in the TIL product, correlates with positive therapeutic responses, suggesting that less exhausted T cells are critical for a response.
Research indicates that tumor-draining lymph nodes (Lymph node(s) closest to the tumor) or tdLN may serve as a specialized niche for T cells that recognize tumor neoantigens and possess stem cell-like characteristics suitable for ACT. Our work shows that tdLNs serve as a highly functional third source of tumor-reactive T cells. tdLNs are easily accessible and highly amenable to genetic engineering/expansion. We propose engineering polyclonal tdLNs with 80BB (a co-stimulatory receptor increasing T cell function) may overcome ACT resistance. Resulting in highly effective and more accessible T cell products.
Two primary methodologies for adoptive cell therapy (ACT) utilize distinct cell sources: 1) tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) harvested directly from tumors, and 2) peripheral blood T cells genetically modified with either T cell receptor (TCR) or chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) targeting cancer antigens. TIL-ACT relies on autologous T cells capable of recognizing a broad range of tumor neoantigens, making it ideal for therapy of different solid tumors.
However, it faces critical challenges: 1) TIL extraction is complex, time-intensive (5–8 weeks), yields unpredictable lymphocyte numbers; 2) high levels of T cell exhaustion result in limited persistence; and 3) it requires inpatient IL-2, with high risk of severe adverse events.
Despite careful patient selection, ~30% of patients cannot receive treatment post-harvest due to insufficient T cell yield or disease progression. Thus, a more reliable source of less-exhausted, tumor-specific T cells could transform ACT for solid tumors. Our preliminary data on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) shows that tumor-draining lymph nodes (tdLNs) serve as a highly functional third source of tumor-reactive T cells (LNTs). tdLNs offer easy access and are a reliable reservoir of stem-like T cells with broad, tumor-relevant clonal diversity that are highly amenable to genetic engineering. Moreover, engaging both CD28 and 4-1BB co-stimulation in engineered T cells has shown enhanced antitumor activity. We propose engineering polyclonal tdLNs with 80BB (a fusion of CD80 ectodomain to the endodomain of 4-1BB) may overcome ACT resistance. We also propose that tdLN T cells can be easily expanded, resulting in highly effective and more accessible T cell products.
Dr. Song's team has previously shown that a subset of tumor-associated natural killer (NK) cells can suppress productive responses from T cells in the body that are responsible for killing cancer cells. This may explain why some tumors fail to respond well to immunotherapy. In addition to these findings, Dr. Song also has preliminary data suggesting that suppressive NK cells regulate tumor-associated macrophages, which can either help the immune system attack cancer cells, or support tumor growth, depending on their state. This project will define which types of macrophages take on a tumor-attacking state or a tumor promoting state contributing to immunotherapy resistance. Findings from this study could support future treatment strategies to improve immunotherapy response.
Immunotherapy has changed the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer, but many patients still do not respond, and the reasons for this resistance remain incompletely understood. My previous work identified an unexpected mechanism of resistance: a subset of tumor-associated natural killer, or NK, cells can suppress productive CD8? T-cell responses. Because CD8? T cells are among the main immune cells responsible for killing cancer cells, this finding helped explain why some tumors fail to respond well to PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint blockade.
This project builds directly on that discovery but moves into a new and previously underexplored area. Our new preliminary data suggest that suppressive NK cells do not only affect CD8? T cells. They also appear to regulate tumor-associated macrophages, another major immune cell population in lung tumors. Macrophages can either help the immune system attack cancer or support tumor growth and immune evasion, depending on their state. We found that when NK cells are removed, macrophages shift toward a more inflammatory, antigen-presenting, and potentially tumor-fighting state.
This is a novel finding because NK-cell control of macrophage behavior in lung cancer has not been systematically investigated. By defining this new NK-macrophage axis, this project will reveal an additional layer of immune suppression in lung cancer and identify new strategies to improve immunotherapy. Ultimately, these studies could support future treatment combinations designed to reprogram the tumor immune environment and help more patients benefit from immunotherapy.
Immune checkpoint blockade has improved outcomes in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), yet many patients fail to achieve durable responses, indicating that additional immunosuppressive mechanisms remain undefined. My previous work identified a suppressive tumor-associated NK-cell program that limits productive CD8? T-cell differentiation and contributes to resistance to PD-1/PD-L1 blockade. Building on this finding, the current proposal investigates a distinct and previously underexplored mechanism: regulation of tumor-associated macrophages by suppressive NK cells.
Preliminary data from murine lung tumor models demonstrate that NK-cell depletion induces broad remodeling of the macrophage compartment. In the absence of NK cells, tumor-associated macrophages shift toward a more inflammatory, antigen-presenting, and phagolysosomal activation state, suggesting that suppressive NK cells restrain macrophage programs that could otherwise support antitumor immunity. These findings raise the central hypothesis that suppressive NK cells maintain a macrophage state that limits immune activation and contributes to checkpoint blockade resistance.
This project will define the NK-cell-dependent macrophage programs associated with immunotherapy resistance and determine whether disrupting the NK-macrophage axis enhances response to PD-1/PD-L1 blockade. Using preclinical lung cancer models, single-cell profiling, spatial immune analysis, and functional perturbation approaches, this study will identify macrophage states regulated by NK cells and test their contribution to antitumor immunity.
By extending the established NK-CD8? T-cell mechanism to a novel NK-macrophage regulatory axis, this work will reveal a new layer of immune suppression in NSCLC and provide a mechanistic foundation for macrophage-targeted combination strategies to improve immunotherapy responses.
Immunotherapy has improved outcomes for patients with advanced NSCLC. However, many eventually stop responding to treatment. When this happens, doctors must choose among several treatments with limited benefit and no reliable way to predict treatment response which can result in patients experiencing delays in receiving effective treatment options. This project aims to build a blood test to help to help guide treatment selection for patients with advanced NSCLC whose cancer has progressed after immunotherapy. Dr. Singhal will focus on patients enrolled in a previous clinical trial which found that pairing pembrolizumab (an immunotherapy) and ramucirumab (an angiogenesis blocker) improved survival better than standard chemotherapy, but not for all patients. She will examine stored blood samples from trial participants to find patterns linked to response. From these patterns, a new biomarker will be developed to help identify which patients are most likely to benefit from this drug combination. The broader goal is to personalize treatment for patients with advanced NSCLC, improve outcomes, reduce exposure to ineffective therapies and pave the way for future clinical trials.
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer. Although immunotherapy has improved outcomes for many patients with advanced NSCLC, most patients’ tumors eventually stop responding to treatment. After immunotherapy stops working, doctors must choose among several treatments with limited benefit and no reliable way to predict which patients are most likely to respond. As a result, many patients receive ineffective therapy while experiencing unnecessary side effects and delays in receiving better treatment options.
This project aims to develop a blood-based test to help guide treatment selection for patients with advanced NSCLC whose cancer has progressed after immunotherapy. The study focuses on patients enrolled in a national clinical trial called S1800A, which showed that a combination of pembrolizumab and ramucirumab improved survival for some patients compared with standard chemotherapy. However, only a subset of patients benefited from this treatment.
Using stored blood samples from participants in this trial, we will analyze thousands of proteins circulating in the blood to identify patterns associated with treatment response or resistance. These protein patterns may provide important information about how the cancer and immune system are interacting in real time. We will then develop a new biomarker designed to identify which patients are most likely to benefit from pembrolizumab plus ramucirumab.
Ultimately, this work may help personalize treatment decisions for patients with advanced lung cancer, improve outcomes, reduce exposure to ineffective therapies, and support future biomarker-directed clinical trials.
This proposal seeks to address a major unmet need in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): the absence of predictive biomarkers to guide treatment selection for patients with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-refractory disease. Although the Lung-MAP S1800A trial demonstrated an overall survival benefit with pembrolizumab plus ramucirumab compared with standard therapy, only a subset of patients derived benefit, underscoring the need to identify biologically defined responders. Existing biomarkers, including PD-L1 and tumor mutational burden, have limited predictive utility in the ICI-refractory setting and fail to capture the immune and angiogenic biology underlying treatment response.
This project will leverage pretreatment plasma specimens from 136 patients enrolled in the randomized S1800A trial to develop a novel plasma proteomic biomarker of ICI sensitivity. Using the SomaScan proteomic platform and the PROphet analytical framework, 7,000 circulating proteins will be quantified to characterize resistance-associated protein patterns associated with response to pembrolizumab plus ramucirumab. The study will: (1) define proteomic signatures underlying sensitivity and resistance to combined ICI and VEGFR-2 inhibition; (2) determine the relationship between these proteomic patterns and established biomarkers; and (3) develop and internally validate a refined proteomic biomarker specific to ICI-refractory NSCLC.
Concurrently, this award will provide structured career development in biomarker-directed clinical trial design, proteomic biomarker development, biostatistical methods, and scientific communication through mentorship from leaders in thoracic oncology, translational proteomics, and biomarker-directed trial design. Successful completion of this work will generate a clinically actionable biomarker and establish the foundation for a future R01 on prospective biomarker-guided treatment selection in ICI-refractory NSCLC.
Chromosomal instability (CIN), a phenomenon that occurs when cells acquire chromosomal abnormalities during cell division, is correlated with resistance to immunotherapy, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Abnormal chromosomal material in the cell triggers a signaling pathway called cGAS-STING that detects the defective genetic material and triggers an immune response. In cancers that are driven by CIN, Dr. Frangieh observed that this pathway does not work as it should, allowing tumors to grow. He and his team have developed a new drug that resets this pathway. Early experiments in lung cancer cells and mice have shown an improvement in immunotherapy efficacy. If successful, this could help patients that do not respond well to immunotherapy.
Lung cancer is one of the deadliest cancers in the world. Immunotherapies help some patients by unleashing their own immune system to attack the tumor, but most lung cancer patients do not benefit, and we do not understand why. Our research focuses on one likely reason: many lung cancers have "chaotic" chromosomes — their genetic material is constantly being shuffled and broken in the wrong places as cancer cells divide. Normally, when broken pieces of DNA leak into the wrong part of a cell, the body has a built-in alarm system — called the cGAS-STING pathway — that detects this damage and calls in immune cells to clear out the threat. This alarm is supposed to be a powerful weapon against cancer.
We discovered something surprising. In lung cancers with chaotic chromosomes, the alarm is going off all the time. This causes the system to get exhausted and stop working — so immune cells are never called in, and the tumor goes unnoticed and untreated.
We have designed a new drug, called C111, that briefly silences the broken alarm so the system can rest and reset. In early experiments in lung cancer cells and in mice, this approach restored the body's natural ability to attack the tumor and made standard immunotherapies work much better in mice. If our work is successful, it could help many patients who do not respond to today's immunotherapies live longer and better lives.
Chromosomal instability (CIN)—the frequent missegregation of chromosomes during mitosis—is a genomic hallmark of solid tumors and correlates with immune evasion and resistance to immunotherapies, but underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. CIN leads to release of DNA into the cytosol where it triggers the cGAS-STING pathway. While activation of this axis usually results in the expression of type I interferons (I-IFNs), potent immune stimulatory cytokines, we find that in CIN-driven cancers the opposite occurs: CIN-mediated tonic cGAS-STING activation suppresses I-IFN production. Understanding and targeting mechanisms underlying this observation may restore immune-mediated elimination of multiple lung cancers.
We generated rigorous preliminary data, including analyses of human genomic data and tissue samples, a series of sufficiency and necessity experiments, and several in vivo studies across multiple lung cancer models, leading us to the following hypothesis: CIN-induced tonic cGAS-STING signaling drives immune escape through STING depletion resulting in interferon tachyphylaxis, and relief of this tonic signal through cGAS inhibition restores immunogenicity and sensitizes various lung cancer types to immunotherapies.
Some people with lung cancer have multiple tumors in their lungs, and doctors must determine which ones need treatment right away versus which can simply be monitored over time. In this project, Dr. Adib aims to create a molecular "report card" for each tumor tracking how they evolve from early, precancerous changes into invasive cancer. Rather than labeling tumors as "sick" or "healthy," this approach will measure where each tumor falls on a spectrum of progression, making it possible to catch tumors that current tests might miss. The development of such a “report card” has the potential to personalize care, helping doctors find which tumors should be treated while reducing unnecessary procedures for the ones that can be safely monitored.
Patients with lung cancer can present with multiple separate tumors in their lungs, a condition called multifocal lung adenocarcinoma. For these patients, physicians must determine which tumors require immediate treatment and which can be safely monitored. Current treatment decisions rely primarily on CT scan appearance, but imaging alone cannot by itself distinguish tumors with aggressive molecular features from those with indolent biology.
Our research aims to solve this problem by creating a molecular "report card" for each tumor or set of tumors that can predict future behavior. We will use advanced single-cell technology to analyze tissue from patients with multiple lung tumors, examining tens of thousands of individual cells to understand how tumors progress from early precancerous changes to invasive cancer. Unlike traditional approaches that classify tumors into simple categories, our method captures the continuous spectrum of tumor progression- a way to measure their disease state on a scale rather than simply categorizing them as "sick" or "healthy." This approach can identify tumors in dangerous transitional states that might be missed by conventional testing. We will develop three molecular signatures: one to help predict how advanced a tumor is on the progression spectrum, one to help predict response to radiation therapy, and one characterizing the immune environment. These signatures will be designed for use with standard clinical testing platforms, enabling future validation in stored tissue samples.
This research addresses a growing clinical need as lung cancer screening identifies more patients with multiple suspicious lung nodules. Our goal is to provide physicians with molecular tools to personalize treatment decisions: helping patients receive appropriate intervention when needed while avoiding unnecessary procedures when tumors can be safely monitored.
Multifocal lung adenocarcinoma (MAC) affects up to 20% of lung cancer resection cases, yet no molecular framework exists to distinguish indolent from aggressive lesions or guide treatment decisions between stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), surgery, or surveillance. Current management relies on radiographic features that poorly predict molecular behavior, leading to potential undertreatment of aggressive lesions or overtreatment of indolent disease.
We hypothesize that single-cell transcriptomic profiling can define continuous progression states that, combined with inferred genomic features and immune contexture, will distinguish indolent from aggressive lesions and predict clinical trajectory. We will perform single-nucleus RNA sequencing on surgical specimens from 9 patients with MAC from the MGH Lung Tumor Bank (27 samples: matched normal lung, precursor lesions, and invasive adenocarcinoma) and integrate these data with a published cohort of 25 patients (75 samples, ~800,000 cells) spanning the Normal-AAH-AIS-MIA-LUAD progression spectrum.
In Aim 1, we will apply the Cell-Projected Phenotype (CPP) framework to map progression landscapes across cell types. CPP transforms discrete histopathological labels into continuous scores capturing the spectrum of disease states, amplifying statistical power by treating cells rather than patients as informative observations. Our preliminary data demonstrate CPP scores correlate with histological stage and variant allele frequency from whole-exome sequencing, validating transcriptional-genomic concordance. We will identify populations with intermediate phenotypes representing transitional states, perform trajectory inference, and conduct meta-analysis across cohorts to identify robustly replicated progression signatures. Transcription factor regulon analysis will prioritize master regulators driving stage transitions.
In Aim 2, we will infer copy number variations using CopyKAT and single nucleotide variants using Monopogen from transcriptomic data, correlating genomic evolution with phenotypic states. Phylogenetic reconstruction will distinguish shared truncal drivers (field cancerization) from independent evolutionary trajectories (synchronous primaries). We will characterize immune contexture across progression states, examining HLA expression and antigen presentation machinery. Leveraging these data, we will develop three multivariate signatures using elastic net regularization: (1) CPP-derived progression signature, (2) radiation response signature incorporating DNA damage repair pathways, and (3) immune contexture signature. Signatures will be designed for compatibility with bulk RNA platforms to enable future validation in archival specimens.
This study will establish the first continuous molecular framework for MAC progression, generating candidate signatures for prospective validation in an identified cohort of 120 patients with MAC, with longitudinal outcomes following local therapy.
Read time: 2 minutes.
New research shows that people living longer with advanced lung cancer are open to discussing end-of-life planning—and want support that addresses both the emotional and practical sides of those conversations.
Read time: 6 minutes.
A message from Michelle:
Turn your passion into action for lung cancer research and support! Whether you’re already registered for an event, or are just curious about getting involved with LUNGevity, the below video guides you through the basics of how to fundraise. You’ll learn why every dollar matters, gain actionable tips, hear about creative ideas from past fundraisers, and see how LUNGevity makes it easy to fundraise for lung cancer.
Lung cancer is often found too late, and rates are rising even as tobacco use declines, especially among women, which points to other factors such as air pollution and genetics. Current tools for assessing lung nodule risk rely heavily on tobacco exposure history, making them less reliable as more people without tobacco exposure (non-smokers) develop the disease. This leads to unnecessary procedures and surveillance for some patients and dangerous diagnostic delays for others. Sybil, an AI tool, predicts future lung cancer risk from chest CT scans alone, without medical history or doctor annotations. The RESOLVE study will test Sybil's accuracy in patients aged 35 to 75 with lung nodules and evaluate whether its scores improve clinical decisions and follow-up scheduling. If successful, Sybil could enable personalized care, with closer monitoring for high-risk patients and fewer unnecessary procedures for low-risk ones. It could be especially valuable for people who don't qualify for traditional screening but still face elevated risk.
Risk factors for lung cancer are incompletely understood. As tobacco use falls globally, lung cancer rates continue to rise, especially among women, and air pollution, genetics, and other factors are thought to contribute. Powerful and validated tools to risk stratify individuals in terms of their lung cancer risk are lacking. We developed a novel artificial intelligence tool called Sybil that is able to visually examine the total volumetric imaging data contained within a chest CT to assess patterns imperceptible to human clinicians and make predictions about underlying lung cancer risk without the need for demographic or medical information, or clinician annotation of the images. Sybil’s performance has been well validated in a wide variety of patients who qualify for lung cancer screening.
In this project, we will study Sybil among people with pulmonary nodules on their chest CT. Pulmonary nodules are relatively common, and our preliminary work has shown that the lung cancer rate in this population is significantly higher than among those who qualify for lung cancer screening, even though the population with known pulmonary nodules has less tobacco exposure. The best way to risk-stratify and work-up patients with pulmonary nodules remains unclear and hence diagnosis of early-stage cancers can be needlessly delayed and we risk losing track of patients while following nodules. We will perform a prospective multi-site clinical trial to demonstrate that Sybil has high performance in risk stratifying people with pulmonary nodules. Confirming Sybil’s performance in this study is the first step toward incorporating Sybil into clinical decision-making algorithms to improve outcomes for people with pulmonary nodules.
Low-density computed tomography can catch lung cancer early, but most lung nodules it detects are benign. Current tools can't reliably tell dangerous nodules from harmless ones. The problem is worst for intermediate-risk nodules, which account for most diagnostic dilemmas. As a result, patients often undergo unnecessary biopsies and surgeries, some cancers are diagnosed late, patients face prolonged anxiety, and healthcare costs rise. This project will validate a diagnostic tool that combines computer analysis of CT images (radiomics) with a blood test for cancer-related DNA changes. If successful, the tool could speed accurate diagnosis, spare patients with benign nodules from invasive procedures, and provide doctors with personalized risk assessment tools to guide treatment decisions.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in both the United States and worldwide. Although screening with low-dose CT scans can detect lung cancer earlier and reduce mortality, many people who develop lung cancer do not meet current screening guidelines. Most lung cancers are still diagnosed at an advanced, incurable stage, including in patients who have never smoked. Lung cancers are often first seen on CT scans as abnormal opacities, called nodules if smaller than 3 cm and masses if larger. However, most lung nodules are not cancerous, making it difficult for doctors to determine who needs additional testing or invasive procedures. As a result, many patients undergo unnecessary biopsies or surgeries. There is a critical need for better, noninvasive tools to accurately identify which nodules are likely to be cancer.
We have developed a novel, noninvasive approach that combines two powerful technologies: advanced imaging features from CT scans (radiomics) and a blood test that analyzes DNA methylation patterns in circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA), which can reflect early cancer changes. This integrated “multimodal biomarker” uses artificial intelligence to combine these data sources and assess whether a lung nodule is likely to be malignant.
Our preliminary research has shown that this combined method can accurately distinguish cancerous from benign nodules, including at early stages. In this study, we will validate the performance of our biomarker in a prospective, real-world cohort of 500 patients with lung nodules undergoing diagnostic evaluation at UCLA and the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System. We will also evaluate how well the test performs across different patient groups, including smokers, non-smokers, and across various nodule types.
If successful, this biomarker could lead to earlier diagnosis of lung cancer, reduce unnecessary procedures in patients with benign nodules, and support more personalized decision-making. Ultimately, our goal is to bring this tool into clinical practice to help doctors manage lung nodules more effectively using both imaging and a simple blood test.
Read time: 2 minutes.
Imagine going in for a CT scan because of a concern that may have nothing to do with cancer. A few days later, you hear the scan revealed a small spot on your lung, called an indeterminate pulmonary nodule (IPN). Your doctor explains that most nodules are not cancer, but some can be an early sign of lung cancer. The next step is not always clear.
New research aims to solve a major unmet need in pulmonary medicine: accurately assessing indeterminate lung nodules and accelerating life-saving diagnoses
Experienced cancer philanthropy leader joins LUNGevity as Foundation strengthens its commitment to funding research, advocacy, and programs that improve outcomes for people with lung cancer.
Read time: 1 minute.
Patient research advocates bring their personal experience into the research process, helping studies ask questions that matter to people affected by lung cancer. A national survey, supported by LUNGevity and other partners, was presented by Jill Feldman, co-founder of EGFR Resisters, at the 2026 World Conference on Lung Cancer in Seoul, South Korea. This survey looked at how lung cancer researchers in the United States view patient research advocacy.
Read time: 1 minute.
Primary care providers (PCPs) are often the first trusted point of contact for people who may be eligible for lung cancer screening. New research from LUNGevity and Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, presented at the 2026 World Conference of Lung Cancer in Seoul, South Korea, looked at provider knowledge, practices, and barriers across a large medical system serving a diverse community in New York.
Key findings included:
Read time: 1 minute.
When people hear the phrase “low grade” in cancer treatment, it can sound reassuring. But for patients, a side effect that is not life-threatening can still shape everyday life in significant ways. That is the central message of this research: “low grade” does not necessarily mean “low impact.” In an oral presentation at the 2026 World Conference on Lung Cancer in Seoul, South Korea, Bellinda King-Kallimanis, PhD, of LUNGevity Foundation, shared research focused on patient-reported low-grade diarrhea during lung cancer treatment.
The LUNGevity Conversations that Count speaker series offers an opportunity to stay informed, engage in critical discussions, and learn from leading experts advancing lung cancer care for people who experience barriers to accessing high-quality care.
Read time: 3 minutes.
Every voice at HOPE Summit can help shape better support, research, and care for the lung cancer community. Each year, LUNGevity’s Patient-Focused Research Team invites attendees to share their experiences and perspectives through a survey on emerging topics. As a thank-you, everyone who completes it receives an extra raffle ticket and our team loves this opportunity to connect with the people at the heart of their work.
Living with lung cancer can take more than just a physical toll—it comes with a myriad of feelings, like anxiety, fear, and grief.
Read time: 5 minutes.
I have spent my career focused on the intersection between cancer research and public health. Since joining LUNGevity over a decade ago, it has been nothing short of a privilege to witness how research has changed how we diagnose and treat lung cancer. We have seen unimaginable improvements in the field. However, this scientific progress seems to have outpaced our ability to effectively deliver these benefits to all patients.
Read time: 5 minutes.
By the time a person starts to experience symptoms of lung cancer, such as worsening cough, wheezing, and chest pain, the cancer has usually spread within the lung or to other parts of the body and is more difficult to treat.
Catching lung cancer early, while a person is asymptomatic, offers the best chance of survival—and sometimes even the possibility of curing the disease.
Read time: 2 minutes.
Biomarker testing helps doctors understand a person’s unique type of lung cancer. For people diagnosed with lung cancer, these tests can identify certain gene changes or protein levels that guide care for newly diagnosed patients.
Team LUNGevity expands its presence to seven of the eight Abbott World Marathon Majors
Read time: 1 minute.
LUNGevity offers a variety of virtual support groups called ‘meetups’ where survivors and caregivers impacted by lung cancer connect with others who understand the patient experience.
Read time: 5 minutes.
Before lung cancer entered her life, 24-year-old Camila Bermudez Garcia was focused on building her future. Growing up as the oldest of three in Ponce, Puerto Rico, she was surrounded by a close-knit family and immersed herself in music, science, and community service. She played the viola in an orchestra, sang and played piano in church, and was preparing to apply to medical school after earning a Master’s in Medical Sciences.
How do clinical trials work? What actually happens when you enroll in one? And how do you find a trial that's right for you?
In this episode, small cell lung cancer survivor Wendy Brooks and thoracic oncologist Arthi Sridhar, MD, UT Southwestern Medical Center, join hosts Ann Steagall and Dr. Misty Shields to break down the intricacies of clinical trials—phases, safeguards in place, and what it's like to be a part of one.
The summer slowdown has not hit LUNGevity’s Transforming Clinical Trials Initiative (TCTI)!
Read time: 7 minutes.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Oncologic Drug Advisory Committee (ODAC) convened on April 30, 2026, to evaluate two applications.
Read time: 7 minutes.
Each year, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting brings together the world’s largest gathering of the oncology community. Approximately 40,000 researchers, physicians, nurses, advocates, biotech and pharmaceutical professionals, and others, meet annually to discuss research that shapes how cancer is diagnosed, treated, and managed.
What are biomarkers, why do they matter, and what should every person living with lung cancer know about getting tested? Dr. Ross Camidge, a world-renowned thoracic oncologist and lung cancer researcher at the University of Colorado, joins Ann Steagall and Dr. Misty Shields to explain the ins and outs of biomarkers. Dr. Camidge helped pioneer biomarker testing as a standard of care, but he also brings the patient perspective as well—he was diagnosed with EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer several years ago.
Read time: 1 minute.
LUNGevity offers a variety of virtual support groups called ‘meetups’ where survivors and caregivers impacted by lung cancer connect with others who understand the patient experience.
Read time: 1 minute.
The LUNGevity Conversations that Count speaker series offers an opportunity to stay informed, engage in critical discussions, and learn from top experts revolutionizing lung cancer care for underserved populations. The series is intended for healthcare professionals, community health equity champions, and anyone interested in equitable access to healthcare.
St. Elizabeth Cancer Center
Director of Lung Cancer Screening
Physician Advisor Advocacy
Coordinator Firefighter Cancer Screening Program
Read time: 5 minutes.
Too often, lung cancer is found after it has already spread to other parts of the body, making treatment harder and lowering chances of curing the disease. While the overall 5-year survival rate for late-stage lung cancer is around 10%, the survival rate jumps to about 65% when lung cancer is caught early. Detecting lung cancer early fundamentally transforms a patient’s lung cancer journey.
Read time: 6 minutes.
The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting brought together thousands of cancer researchers, clinicians, advocates, and patients in San Diego from April 17–22. This year's theme—“Precision, Partnership, Purpose: Advancing Cancer Science to Save Lives Globally”—set a powerful tone for a meeting that showcased advances across the lung cancer landscape.
How do you make the most of your visits with your healthcare team? In this episode, lung cancer survivor Bill Morris shares his experience with lung cancer and how he approaches his healthcare visits now. Oncology nurse practitioner Rasheda Persinger shares her insights after 20 years of working with patients. Hosts Ann and Dr. Shields discuss with Bill and Rasheda what they wish every patient knew, from writing down questions before an appointment to asking about biomarker testing to why recording your visit can make all the difference.
Read time: 4 minutes.
Executive Summary
Most lung cancers are found after the disease has spread, when treatment is harder and outcomes are worse. Shifting to earlier lung cancer diagnoses requires a multi-faceted approach. We need to improve: who qualifies for screening, people’s ability to access and complete annual lung cancer screenings, how track findings and follow-ups from lung cancer screenings, and how policies and payment shape care.
Read time: 3 minutes.
Clinical trials show us whether a new treatment is safe and effective. They are also an important way for patients to access cutting-edge care. For trials to truly serve the lung cancer community, the people who enroll in the trials need to represent the populations who are diagnosed in everyday life.
Recognizing these needs, federal agencies like the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have been encouraging clinical trials to offer more locations across the US.
Why does finding community matter in lung cancer care? In this episode, lung cancer survivor and advocate Jill Feldman shares her experience, from losing multiple family members to lung cancer to her own diagnosis, as well as her work building patient communities around the world. She discusses how connecting with others has shaped her journey and why community is important for support, information, and advocacy.
What happens after a lung cancer diagnosis? In this first episode of LUNGevity’s Lung Cancer Voices of Hope podcast, lung cancer survivor Lisa Bistline shares her experience, from initial scans and biopsies through multiple treatments, and the moment a later biopsy revealed a biomarker that led to a targeted therapy.
Read time: 1 minute.
This video is a recording from a LUNGevity virtual meetup. Each month, we host multiple virtual meetups for those impacted by lung cancer to meet and connect with others who understand them and what they’re going through.
Read time: 4 minutes.
Though many of us would like to deny it, our neighbors affect us. Their loud music disturbs our sleep. The scent of their dinner wafts through an open window. The sight of their new puppy brings a smile. We interact with our environment every moment of the day. And so do lung cancer cells.
Patient experience data (PED) are data providing information about patients’ experiences with a disease or condition, including experiences with disease symptoms, impacts, and burden, as well as treatment burden and preferences. LUNGevity Foundation has long advocated for the inclusion of PED in clinical trials across the drug development process, including to inform the safety and/or efficacy of new therapies.
As we celebrate our 10th anniversary of The Transforming Clinical Trials Initiative (TCTI) in 2026, we look forward to continuing our mission to improve the efficiency and accessibility of lung cancer clinical research. Thank you to all our working group members, roundtable participants, and supporters.
Read time: 3 minutes.
The 2026 Targeted Therapies of Lung Cancer Meeting brought together leading clinicians, researchers, and patient advocates to discuss the latest advances shaping the future of lung cancer care. Hosted by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer, this annual gathering was held in Huntington Beach, California from Feb. 18-21, 2026. It has become known as one of the key meetings for participants to discuss the latest breakthroughs and challenges in lung cancer.
Read time: 2 minutes.
The LUNGevity Conversations that Count speaker series offers an opportunity to stay informed, engage in critical discussions, and learn from top experts revolutionizing lung cancer care for underserved populations. The series is intended for healthcare professionals, community health equity champions, and anyone interested in equitable access to healthcare.
Read time: 3 minutes.
Research funders are increasingly calling on researchers to move beyond studying communities to actively involving them in the research process. They want real input from patients and caregivers as the studies are being designed, executed, and the findings shared. But for most people, research can feel intimidating.
Read time: 2 minutes.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping the future of cancer care, but such dramatic innovation also brings important questions.
Read time: 3 minutes.
The human immune system is an intricate web of checks and balances that usually excels at detecting and destroying foreign invaders, such as bacteria and viruses, while protecting healthy tissue. But sometimes, the checks and balances get confused and stop the immune system from doing what’s right—such as killing tumor cells.
Read time: 2 minutes.
The Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) celebrated their 40th anniversary at their annual meeting in National Harbor, Maryland from November 5-9, 2025. The meeting focused on multidisciplinary research aiming to leverage the immune system to improve outcomes for cancer patients, including several exciting areas of growth in lung cancer-directed immunotherapy.
LUNGevity partnered with MD Anderson, UT Southwestern, and UT San Antonio to host panel discussions sharing valuable insights and helpful resources for people living with lung cancer and care partners. Each panel includes a multidisciplinary team of clinicians from all three hospitals, giving their perspectives on clinical advancements and quality of life strategies.
Panel 1 - What's New in Research and Treatment?
Panel 2 - Living Well with Lung Cancer
Research programs fuel innovation in early detection, treatment, and health equity for lung cancer.
Up to $1 million per project available for research that delivers real-world impact for patients.
Read time: 1 minute.
For more than two decades, LUNGevity Foundation has been a leader in advancing lung cancer research. Since 2002, we have invested $55+ million in more than 200 research projects, helping to build a robust pipeline of discoveries in early detection, treatment innovation, and health equity.
Read time: 5 minutes.
Lung cancer research was in the spotlight at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) meeting held October 17-21, 2025, in Berlin, Germany. With approximately 30,000 attendees from over 100 countries, this meeting gathered an international audience of clinicians, researchers, patient advocates, and representatives from the healthcare industry to discuss cutting-edge cancer research and share practice-changing clinical trial data.
On October 22, 2025, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a final guidance document on Patient-Focused Drug Development: Selecting, Developing, or Modifying Fit-for-Purpose Clinical Outcome Assessments.
LUNGevity Foundation’s Transforming Clinical Trials Initiative (TCTI) develops collaborative strategies to enhance innovation and patient access to safe and effective lung cancer tools and treatments as quickly as possible.
Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center
Division of Thoracic Surgery
Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine
Clinical Professor, Department of Clinical Science
UCSF School of Medicine
Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery
Prestigious award supports a strong oncology workforce to create lifesaving lung cancer breakthroughs
Read time: 6 minutes.
LUNGevity Foundation announced $1.2 million in research awards that are designed to strengthen the lung cancer workforce and accelerate progress across the lung cancer continuum—from early detection to treating advanced disease.
Awards help to train and sustain a vibrant oncology workforce that brings progress for people diagnosed with lung cancer
Read time: 2 minutes.
Over the past twenty years, lung cancer research and care have entered a new era. One filled with hope, innovation, and progress that is transforming what it means to face a lung cancer diagnosis. From groundbreaking early detection efforts to life-extending treatments, each step forward represents years of collaboration between researchers, patients, and others in the lung cancer community.
Read time: 2 minutes.
Last November, Michael O’Donnell was at the Dallas VA during Lung Cancer Awareness Month. It’s where he receives treatment for his lung cancer, but on this specific day, he was joined by LUNGevity staff to talk with veterans about screening.
While immunotherapy has significantly improved outcomes for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), many patients still don't benefit from current treatments. Dr. Oh has developed a CCL21-DC vaccine that uses engineered dendritic cells (DCs) to display tumor mutations and train the immune system while producing CCL21 protein to attract more tumor-killing T cells. He has completed a clinical trial combining this vaccine with pembrolizumab immunotherapy in patients with NSCLC, and collected tumor biopsies and blood samples before and after treatment. Using advanced sequencing techniques on these samples, he aims to understand how the vaccine affects tumor-targeting T cells and their interactions within tumors. These studies will guide future improvements in DC vaccines and other immunotherapies for lung cancer patients.
The development of immunotherapy has significantly improved patient outcomes for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Unfortunately, many patients with NSCLC nevertheless do not benefit from current immunotherapies, and new strategies are required to move the field forward. Our lab has previously developed a cancer therapy called the CCL21-DC vaccine with the goal of overcoming immunotherapy resistance. This treatment involves the injection of dendritic cells (DCs), which are cells specialized in displaying tumor mutations and training the immune system to target those mutations. We have further engineered these DCs to produce CCL21, which is a protein that attracts more tumor-killing T cells. We recently performed a clinical trial studying the combination of the CCL21-DC vaccine and the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab in patients with NSCLC. This study obtained tumor biopsies and blood samples from patients both before and after DC vaccine injections, and we plan to use these samples to better understand the impact of this therapy on the immune system.
We propose using cutting-edge sequencing techniques to assess whether the CCL21-DC vaccine leads to more tumor-targeting T cells both within the tumor and in the blood. We will also analyze the interactions between these T cells and other types of cells in the tumor. The results of our project will provide a more complete understanding of how DC vaccines impact the immune system and how tumors develop resistance. This project can therefore guide future efforts at improving DC vaccines and other immunotherapies for patients with lung cancer.
The treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been transformed by the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), but many patients still do not respond to ICIs or subsequently develop resistance. The efficacy of ICIs is dependent on the recognition of tumor-specific neoantigens by T cells, a process that is supported by dendritic cells (DCs) that present antigens and activate T cells. Abetting the function of DCs thus represents a therapeutic avenue that can help overcome immunotherapy resistance. This goal can potentially be accomplished via direct injection of DCs as a cellular vaccine. DCs can further be engineered to express chemokines, such as CCL21, that promote T cell infiltration into the tumor. The Dubinett Laboratory has previously developed a CCL21-gene modified dendritic cell (CCL21-DC) vaccine, and we have conducted a phase I clinical trial studying the combination of the vaccine with the ICI pembrolizumab.
We plan to study the immunologic effects of the CCL21-DC vaccine using longitudinal patient biospecimens from this trial, including tumor biopsies and peripheral blood samples. The aims of this proposal are to 1) determine post-treatment changes in T cell clonal evolution and immune cell phenotypes; and 2) evaluate spatial relationships between T cells and the tumor microenvironment after treatment. Our objective is to characterize the impact of the CCL21-DC vaccine on antitumor T cell activity and identify cell-cell interactions that influence therapeutic efficacy. The results of these studies will inform future generations of DC vaccines and improve our understanding of immune resistance mechanisms in NSCLC.
Black Veterans face disproportionately higher rates of lung cancer diagnosis and death compared to other groups. Despite lung cancer screening (LCS) being life-saving through early detection, many Black Veterans remain unscreened due to low awareness, distrust of the VA system, and negative beliefs about lung cancer outcomes. This research aims to address these barriers by partnering with the National Association for Black Veterans (NABVETS) to co-design and test a community-based LCS awareness toolkit that can be distributed through trusted community organizations.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. Black Veterans are especially affected, facing higher rates of both lung cancer diagnosis and death compared to other groups. Although lung cancer screening (LCS) can save lives by finding lung cancer early, many Black Veterans have not been screened. This is often due to low awareness, lack of trust in the VA, and negative beliefs—such as thinking that lung cancer always leads to death or that it cannot be effectively treated.
My research aims to reduce these barriers and improve LCS uptake among Black Veterans by developing community-based interventions in close partnership with the community. Our study builds on our previous community-based intervention to develop a feasible and scalable solution to increase awareness and uptake of LCS. Partnering with National Association for Black Veterans (NABVETS), a national community-based organization (CBO) that supports Veterans through education, healthcare access, and social connection - we will co-design and test a LCS awareness toolkit that can be shared through trusted CBOs like NABVETS. This work is the first step toward a larger, randomized trial that will test the effectiveness of a culturally relevant and tailored intervention, developed in partnership with Black Veterans, to improve awareness of and uptake of LCS.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States, with Black Veterans facing disproportionately high rates of both lung cancer incidence and mortality. Despite the potential of lung cancer screening (LCS) to reduce lung-cancer mortality, barriers such as low awareness of LCS, mistrust of the VA, stigma and fatalism about lung cancer have resulted in low uptake, particularly among Black Veterans. There is an urgent need for culturally relevant, community-driven interventions that can increase LCS awareness and uptake among Black Veterans.
My research portfolio seeks to address health disparities in lung cancer and to engage the community in research to develop acceptable and culturally relevant interventions to improve health outcomes. My LUNGevity proposal will expand my team’s prior work by co-designing a scalable LCS awareness toolkit with National Association for Black Veterans (NABVETS), a national community-based organization (CBO) that supports Black Veterans (Aim 1) and conducting a feasibility pilot of this intervention (Aim 2). The hypothesis driving this research is that leveraging the expertise and infrastructure of CBOs to disseminate a culturally relevant, scalable LCS awareness toolkit can increase both awareness and uptake of LCS among Black Veterans. This project serves as a foundational step that will guide future research to evaluate the effectiveness of this intervention on a wider scale, ultimately leading to a more sustainable model for improving LCS in Black Veterans through CBOs.
Dr. Ogidigo will investigate how obesity affects lung cancer progression using a diet-induced obesity mouse model. She will focus on understanding how obesity-driven metabolic and chromatin changes influence lung tumor biology, and test incretin mimetics (metabolism-targeting drugs such as GLP1 agonists) as potential treatments to slow tumor growth in obesity models of lung cancer. By identifying obesity-specific molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets, she aims to develop more effective, personalized treatment strategies for lung cancer patients with obesity or metabolic dysfunction.
This project investigates how obesity and overweight influences lung cancer progression by using a diet-induced obesity (DIO) mouse model. I will assess tumor growth through imaging and analyze transcriptomic, metabolomic, and epigenetic changes linked to overnutrition or obesity. A key focus is understanding how obesity-driven metabolic and chromatin alterations affect lung tumor biology. The study also tests incretin mimetics—metabolism-targeting drugs—for their potential to slow tumor growth in obese or overweight models. By uncovering obesity-specific molecular mechanisms and therapeutic vulnerabilities, this work aims to inform more effective, personalized treatment strategies for lung cancer patients with obesity and associated metabolic dysfunctions.
The overall goal of this project is to improve the quality of life for lung cancer patients. Lung cancer is lethal and accounts for ~20% of all cancer-related mortality in the United States. Lung cancer, a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, poses significant challenges due to limited therapeutic options and poor survival rates, particularly in the context of obesity.
To address these complexities, this study will utilize a diet-induced obesity (DIO) mouse model along with dietary interventions to investigate the impact of obesity and overnutrition on lung tumorigenesis. We will monitor tumor growth using imaging techniques and conduct transcriptomic and metabolomic profiling to characterize the functional consequences of the obese phenotype at various stages of tumor progression. Furthermore, we will explore the epigenetic landscape of overnutrition and obesity-associated lung cancer by generating a comprehensive genome-wide map of histone modifications and chromatin accessibility. In addition, we will evaluate the therapeutic role of metabolism-related agents in obesity-related lung cancer. Using the DIO mouse model, we will assess the efficacy of monotherapy therapy with incretin mimetic or combination therapy with immune inhibitor in attenuating overnutrition lung cancer progression.
This research will provide unprecedented insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying obesity-associated lung cancer and identify novel therapeutic strategies to improve patient outcomes. The successful completion of this project will offer valuable insights into the interplay between obesity, metabolism, and epigenetics in lung cancer progression. By targeting metabolic and epigenetic vulnerabilities, this research has the potential to advance our understanding of lung cancer biology and pave the way for the development of more effective and improved therapeutic interventions. Ultimately, this work aims to address the unmet need for targeted therapeutic strategies to combat lung cancer and enhance patient outcomes.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths globally. While immunotherapy has improved survival rates, many tumors don't respond due to mutations that can lead to poor treatment outcomes. In this project, Dr. Woodard will investigate how T cells are prevented from entering tumors with specific mutations and explore ways to enhance T cell migration to improve immunotherapy response. She will focus on PLA2G10, a protein that blocks T cell entry into lung tumors, examining how it prevents CD4+ and CD8+ T cell migration and its relationship with common lung cancer mutations. The goal is to understand and improve T cell exclusion mechanisms to make immunotherapy more effective.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the United States and worldwide. Immunotherapy has led to dramatic improvements in survival, but not all tumors respond with certain mutations predicting a poor immunotherapy response. This award will test a hypothesis of how T cells are excluded from tumors with certain mutations and study how to improve T cell migration into tumors as a way to improve tumor response to immunotherapy. PLA2G10 is a protein that mediates T cell exclusion from lung tumors, we will study how this protein prevents migration of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and we will study its association with common lung cancer mutations.
NSCLC is the leading cause of cancer related mortality in the United States and worldwide. Immune checkpoint inhibitors that target the programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) pathway have revolutionized the outcomes of NSCLC; however, only a minority of patients obtain clinical benefit from immunotherapy. PLA2G10 is a protein that mediates T-cell exclusion by inhibiting migration of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells and its association with common lung cancer mutations is unknown. Lung cancer mutations such as tumor suppressor gene Serine/threonine kinase 11 (STK11), are associated with decreased immune cell infiltration into the tumor and associated with immunotherapy resistance.
The proposed project will utilize the resources of the Yale Lung SPORE BioRepository of treatment naïve and immunotherapy treated surgically resected, stage I-III NSCLC tumor samples. We will then study the immune tumor immune microenvironment in relation to PLA2G10 overexpression in tumors with and without STK11 mutations (Aim 1). The impact of STK11 mutations and PLA2G10 will then be studied on T-cell migration in lung cancer cell lines (Aim 2). Our hypothesis is that PLA2G10 expression is a driving mechanism for T cell exclusion observed in STK11mut tumors. We propose to demonstrate that inhibition of PLA2G10 in STK11mut cell lines will improve T-cell migration and sensitize tumors to immunotherapy. Thus, we will explore PLA2G10 as a novel therapeutic target in immunologically cold tumors and future applications of this research would be to study drug combinations that overcome T-cell exclusion as an immunotherapy resistance mechanism.
EGFR gene alterations are found in 15%-30% of lung adenocarcinomas (LUADs). While EGFR-targeted therapies are initially effective, most patients eventually relapse due to treatment resistance. Recent research has identified "persister cells" - tumor cells that survive throughout targeted treatment and are believed to be a primary cause of cancer recurrence in EGFR-mutant LUAD. This project aims to understand how these persister cells survive despite targeted therapy and identify ways to eliminate them. The ultimate goal is to identify resistance factors, develop therapeutic strategies to eradicate persister cells, and provide the scientific foundation for clinical trials to improve outcomes for patients with EGFR-mutant LUAD.
Alterations in the EGFR gene are present in ~15-30% of all lung adenocarcinomas (LUADs). EGFR targeted therapies are initially effective, but most LUADs eventually relapse. Recent studies suggest some tumor cells survive throughout targeted treatment. These cells, called “persister cells”, are thought to be a primary mechanism of relapse in some patients with EGFR-mutant LUAD. In this project, we aim to study how these persister cells remain healthy despite treatment with targeted therapy and to identify targets to eliminate them. We will use cutting-edge technologies to study the biology of persister cells in clinical samples and mouse models. We will identify and validate factors causing resistance to therapy, propose therapeutic strategies for the eradication of persister cells, and provide the preclinical rationale for the initiation of clinical trials to improve outcomes for patients with EGFR-mutant LUAD.
Up to 40% of resistance mechanisms to EGFR targeted therapies in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) are unknown. Drug tolerant persister cells (DTPs) constitute a reservoir of therapy resistant cells that can be found even in never-treated LUAD tumors and survive during the minimal residual disease (MRD) stage despite the ongoing pressure of targeted therapy, leading to lung cancer relapse. These cells do not harbor classical genetic alterations such as secondary mutations in EGFR. Importantly, several preclinical studies have shown that this drug tolerance state is reversible after drug removal, supporting the involvement of epigenetic rather than genetic resistance mechanisms. However, the biology of DTPs, and in particular their epigenetic landscape, is largely unknown. The eradication of DTPs is crucial for improving outcomes for patients with EGFR-mutant LUAD. In this proposal we will integrate single-cell transcriptome and epigenome analyses to nominate drivers of drug tolerance.
We will (1) characterize MRD biospecimens at single-cell level to investigate the distinct transcriptomic MRD subclusters and determine the molecular and cellular dynamics of MRD samples. Collecting MRD clinical samples is highly challenging since re-biopsies are not standard practice. Therefore, insights gained from this analysis will be very valuable in understanding the mechanisms underlying drug tolerance in EGFR-mutant LUAD.
We will (2) leverage our unique set of patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) to mimic MRD in vivo and characterize the dynamics of resistance to osimertinib (3rd generation EGFR targeted therapy) in these models. We will perform a comprehensive transcriptomic and epigenetic characterization by single-cell RNAseq, chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing, ATACseq and methylation analysis to decipher the epigenetic reprogramming that occurs over time. The integration of our transcriptomic and epigenomic data from these models will nominate molecular pathways and targets associated with drug tolerance and resistance.
Finally, (3) we have identified EP300 in an in vivo CRISPR screen as a druggable epigenetic vulnerability in osimertinib-treated DTPs. EP300 along with other candidates previously identified in clinical samples and PDXs, will be extensively validated in vitro and in vivo. This proposal will provide knowledge of the mechanisms underlying drug tolerance and resistance in patients with EGFR-mutant LUAD and may gather robust preclinical data to propose novel therapeutic strategies to be evaluated in clinical trials.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths, with patients with EGFR-mutant NSCLC frequently developing brain metastases that are difficult to treat with existing therapies. Dr. Brea and his team are studying CAR-T cells that target TROP2, a protein commonly found on EGFR-mutant lung cancer cells. Targeting TROP2 can be diffficult because TROP2 is found on healthy cells. To overcome this, Dr. Brea proposes two approaches: (1) delivering CAR-T cells directly into the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS does not express TROP2 but is a site where tumors often reside, and (2) genetically editing the CAR-T cells to prevent them from entering healthy organs like lungs and gut. If successful in preclinical testing, this could provide a new targeted treatment option for patients with EGFR-mutant lung cancer with brain metastases.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, and patients with a specific type called EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) often develop spread to the central nervous system (CNS). These CNS metastases are difficult to treat and are not well controlled by existing therapies like radiation or even high doses of targeted pills such as Osimertinib. Many clinical trials exclude patients whose cancer has spread to the CNS, leaving few treatment options for this vulnerable group.
We are developing a promising new approach using the patient’s own immune system, called CAR-T cell therapy. We have demonstrated that CAR-T cell that targets a protein called TROP2, which is commonly found on EGFR-mutant lung cancer cells, is effective against EGFR-mutant NSCLC. One barrier to translation to trials is that CAR-T cells can also harm healthy tissues that have TROP2. To overcome this, we propose two key innovations: first, we will deliver the CAR-T cells directly into the CNS in patients with metastatic CNS, where tumors reside but TROP2 is not expressed in normal CNS, avoiding toxicity. Second, we will edit the CAR-T cells to remove a molecule that allows them to enter normal tissues like the lungs and gut, further reducing side effects. Our research will test this strategy in patient derived preclinical models to show that it is both safe and effective. If successful, this could lead to a new, highly targeted treatment for patients with EGFR-mutant lung cancer with CNS metastases.
EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) frequently metastasizes to the central nervous system (CNS). While EGFR inhibitors such as Osimertinib or radiation can be effective initially, patients often develop further CNS progression with limited durable options. Moreover, patients with active CNS disease are often excluded from clinical trials, leaving a critical unmet need for more effective and CNS-active therapies. We have developed a novel TROP2-directed chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy for EGFR-mutant NSCLC. TROP2 is a clinically validated target in this setting, with high expression in EGFR-mutant tumors and preserved expression in CNS metastases.
Our preclinical studies show that TROP2 CAR-T cells display potent cytotoxicity, superior to TROP2-directed antibody-drug conjugates. However, systemic delivery of CAR-T cells targeting epithelial antigens carries substantial risk of on-target/off-tumor toxicity. To address this, we propose a combinatorial strategy: (1) localized intraventricular delivery of TROP2 CAR-T cells to the CNS, and (2) CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of the integrin aEß7, a homing molecule that mediates T cell trafficking to epithelial tissues. This approach is designed to retain efficacy while reducing systemic toxicity. We will evaluate TROP2 and aEß7 expression in patient CNS metastases, optimize TROP2 CAR-T designs using patient derived ex vivo and vascularized tissue platforms, and test safety and efficacy in EGFR-mutant CNS xenograft models and humanized TROP2 transgenic mice. This proposal advances a rationally engineered CAR-T strategy for a patient population with few options and lays the groundwork for a CNS-directed clinical trial.
Dr. Grippin will investigate how mRNA vaccines can be combined with radiation therapy to improve lung cancer treatment outcomes. Preliminary data shows that NSCLC patients who received mRNA vaccines alongside radiation and immune checkpoint inhibitors had better survival rates. The study aims to optimize this combination therapy to overcome resistance in immune-refractory lung cancer as well as develop enhanced mRNA vaccine formulations. The findings will provide additional data for clinical trials integrating mRNA vaccines into standard lung cancer care, potentially making immunotherapy more effective.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) help the immune system fight cancer, but many tumors still resist these therapies. mRNA vaccines, like those originally developed for COVID-19, may help boost the immune system’s response to cancer, but scientists don’t fully understand how to use them effectively. We have spent a decade studying mRNA vaccines, and recently discovered a new way that they generate immune responses against tumors. On a high level, we found that mRNA vaccines, even when they are directed against infectious diseases like COVID, activate the immune system to be on high alert for cancer. Since radiation acts in a similar way, we hypothesize that both of those therapies will synergize to help each other work more effectively.
Our early research in both patients and mice supports this hypothesis, demonstrating that patients who received radiation prior to mRNA vaccines had improved survival relative to their peers. To confirm this hypothesis further, we will study how the timing of radiation therapy affects the ability of mRNA vaccines to shrink tumors. We will also experiment with different mRNA vaccine formulations that we think will make them stronger immune stimulants. By combining mRNA vaccines and radiation, we hope to create more effective, accessible, and long-lasting cancer immunotherapies for patients who need them most.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized cancer treatment, yet many tumors remain resistant. mRNA vaccines have emerged as a promising strategy to enhance antitumor immunity, but their optimal integration with radiation therapy is not well understood. Our recent clinical findings suggest that mRNA vaccines potentiate ICI responses through mechanisms linked to Type I interferon (IFN), a key mediator of radiation-induced immune activation. Notably, we found that patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and metastatic melanoma who received an mRNA vaccine within 100 days of ICI initiation had nearly double the median overall survival (OS), with the most pronounced benefit observed in those receiving pre-vaccine radiation therapy (Grippin, Nature, In Revision). Based on this data, we hypothesize that methods to increase Type I IFN signaling including pre-vaccine radiation will augment responses to mRNA vaccines. To investigate this hypothesis, we propose the following Specific Aims:
1. Interrogate the interactions of radiation and mRNA vaccines. Mice will receive mRNA vaccines, ICIs and radiation therapy before, concurrently, or after vaccination. Tumor growth and immune responses will be analyzed to assess whether pre-vaccine radiation enhances mRNA vaccine efficacy via Type I IFN signaling.
2. Engineer next-generation mRNA cancer vaccines that maximize Type I IFN production. This aim will test the hypothesis that modifications to mRNA vaccines that enhance Type I IFN stimulation will enhance their antitumor effects.
This work will provide critical mechanistic insights into how radiation therapy synergizes with mRNA vaccines and guide the development of more effective cancer immunotherapy strategies. These findings will lay the foundation for clinical trials integrating mRNA vaccines into radiation regimens, with the potential to overcome resistance and improve patient outcomes in immune-refractory cancers.
A field of 60,000 white flags will honor the 120,000 Americans lost to lung cancer this year and call for renewed federal investment in early detection and research
Throughout November, LUNGevity is shining a light on the progress being made, and the work still ahead, to change the future of lung cancer
Read time: 5 minutes.
In the winter of 2018, I had a lingering cough, nothing out of the ordinary for a Boston winter. At the time, I had just celebrated my first wedding anniversary with my husband, Jack, and I was 31 years old, living a healthy, active life. I didn't have any major risk factors. Lung cancer wasn’t even on my radar.
Read time: 2 minutes.
Comprehensive biomarker testing has transformed how lung cancer is treated by connecting patients with therapies that match the molecular profile of their tumors. Yet, for many people diagnosed with lung cancer, access to testing and understanding what the results mean remain significant challenges.
Read time: 2 minutes.
Mind mapping, a visual method for organizing complex information, is emerging as a powerful tool in patient-focused research. By structuring data in a format that mirrors how the human brain processes information, mind mapping enables researchers, clinicians, and patients to intuitively navigate nuanced qualitative findings.
Read time: 4 minutes.
Lung cancer screening has the potential to save more lives than any other cancer screening tool, yet reports suggest only 10%–20% of eligible patients are screened each year.
Read time: 4 minutes.
The LUNGevity Conversations that Count speaker series offers an opportunity to stay informed, engage in critical discussions, and learn from top experts revolutionizing lung cancer care for underserved populations. The series is intended for healthcare professionals, community health equity champions, and anyone interested in equitable access to healthcare.
Read time: 5 minutes.
Lung cancer screening has come a long way since low-dose CT (LDCT) scans first became available in 2015 in the United States. However, LDCTs can still miss some lung cancers while causing unnecessary anxiety with false positives. New research from the World Congress on Lung Cancer 2025 reveals how cutting-edge technologies and expanded screening approaches are transforming the early detection of lung cancer.
Read time: 2 minutes.
The annual World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC), organized by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer, is the largest global meeting dedicated to lung cancer research. WCLC 2025 showcased several important studies that focused on treating resectable (surgically removable) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Read time: 2 minutes.
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death, and for many communities, barriers like culture, language, and access make lifesaving screening even harder to reach. A new study, Project ASCENT, shows how tailored, culturally sensitive approaches can make a difference.
Read time: 2 minutes.
When patients and caregivers participate in lung cancer research, they are generously offering their time, experiences, and personal stories to improve care for others. Yet too often, they never see the results of the studies they contribute to. This gap can discourage future participation and limit the diversity of voices represented in research.
LUNGevity Foundation’s Transforming Clinical Trials Initiative (TCTI) develops collaborative strategies to enhance innovation and patient access to safe and effective lung cancer tools and treatments as quickly as possible.
University of Illinois Chicago
Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine
Over the past two decades, treatment for EGFR-positive lung cancer has transformed dramatically. The introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has led to major improvements in survival for many patients. Yet, most of what we know about this disease still comes from clinical trial data—not from patients’ real-world experiences.
Tennessee Oncology
Medical Director of Health Equity and Community Engagement
Read time: 4 minutes.
Scanxiety is a term used for the anxiety someone feels as a medical exam, like an MRI or CT scan, approaches. It can come with feelings of dread or worry, as well as “what if” thoughts focused on receiving bad news, like the return or growth of a cancerous tumor.
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Assistant Professor and Thoracic Medical Oncologist
Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine
Read time: 3 minutes.
The LUNGevity Conversations that Count speaker series offers an opportunity to stay informed, engage in critical discussions, and learn from top experts revolutionizing lung cancer care for underserved populations. The series is intended for healthcare professionals, community health equity champions, and anyone interested in equitable access to healthcare.
Read time: 3 minutes.
As tobacco use has declined in recent years, we have seen a new demographic of lung cancer patients emerge. Lung cancer in individuals who have never smoked (LCINS) is becoming more common. These people are often younger women with no history of tobacco exposure.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Oncologic Drug Advisory Committee (ODAC) met on July 17th, 2025 to review the results of clinical trials DREAMM-7 and DREAMM-8 assessing GlaxoSmithKline’s antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) belantamab mafodotin in two different combinations to treat patients with multiple myeloma (MM) in the second line. While both regimens demonstrated clinical benefit, the committee raised concerns about applicability of the trial results to the US patient population and the toxicity observed at the chosen dose.
Organization to Participate in 12 National Events as Part of Innovative Health Education Initiative
Read time: 2 minutes.
The likelihood of surviving five years or more after a lung cancer diagnosis is 27%.1 But if it is caught early, before spreading, the five-year survival rate jumps to 64%, and in some cases it is curable.1 Unfortunately, only 22% of lung cancer is diagnosed in the earliest stage of the disease.1 LUNGevity and Rising Tide for Clinical Cancer Research (RTCCR) are working to change this.
Program builds pipeline of patients and caregivers trained to be directly involved in research
Read time: 6 minutes.
Over the past 20 years, researchers have made tremendous strides in the early detection and treatment of lung cancer—early detection chest scans for high-risk populations, immunotherapies for early and advanced disease, and targeted therapies to personalize treatments for patients. The momentum is strong.
Read time: 4 minutes.
As a dedicated researcher and oncologist, Noura Choudhury, MD, at the University of Chicago, witnesses daily the urgent need for better treatments for lung cancer. She is passionate about finding the most efficient ways to help her patients—particularly those diagnosed with small cell lung cancer (SCLC).
Read time: 2 minutes.
The LUNGevity Conversations that Count speaker series offers an opportunity to stay informed, engage in critical discussions, and learn from top experts revolutionizing lung cancer care for underserved populations. The series is intended for healthcare professionals, community health equity champions, and anyone interested in equitable access to healthcare.
Read time: 9 minutes.
The annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) once again brought together nearly 50,000 members of the oncology community. From May 30 – June 2, researchers, oncologists, and patient advocates had first-hand access to the latest cancer research news.
Read time: 2 minutes.
When a person is treated for advanced-stage lung cancer, tumors will often shrink, and their symptoms may subside. An effective treatment will kill many tumor cells, but there are usually some cells (called drug-tolerant persister cells, or DTPCs) left behind. If these cancer cells survive treatment, they will eventually begin to grow again.
Read time: 4 minutes.
As the nation’s leading lung cancer nonprofit and member of the Cancer Grand Challenges Cachexia Team, LUNGevity has been working to improve our understanding and treatment of cachexia.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Oncologic Drug Advisory Committee (ODAC) convened on May 20th and 21st to weigh in on four different regimens across a variety of cancer treatment modalities and indications. These discussions generated important considerations for developers of drugs and biologics for treatment indications across the oncology landscape, including in lung cancer. Read on for main themes, what it means for the lung cancer community, and how LUNGevity is addressing these considerations.
Read time: 3 minutes.
Community members provide data but too often never see how their data was used. Research data is mostly published in medical journals written for researchers and scientists versus the general public. Also, medical journals require the public to pay for access.
Read time: 4 minutes.
Michelle knew what was wrong. She knew the headaches, regular vomiting, ear popping, and “whooshing” sounds in her head were all signs of leptomeningeal disease (LMD). The issue, however, is that LMD is so rare—only diagnosed in 5% of people with cancer—she had to advocate for the testing to prove it.
Read time: 2 minutes.
Integrative oncology combines conventional cancer treatments with complementary therapies to provide comprehensive care. It focuses on treating the whole person—addressing physical and mental well-being.
Complementary therapies are treatments used alongside standard medical care, not as replacements. This approach emphasizes science-backed therapies to enhance quality of life and minimize side effects. Examples include:
Read time: 4 minutes.
The LUNGevity Conversations that Count speaker series offers an opportunity to stay informed, engage in critical discussions, and learn from top experts revolutionizing lung cancer care for underserved populations. The series is intended for healthcare professionals, community health equity champions, and anyone interested in equitable access to healthcare.
Read time: 9 minutes.
More than 22,000 cancer researchers from 81 countries got together for the annual American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) meeting in Chicago from April 25-30. This year’s meeting theme “Unifying Cancer Science and Medicine: A Continuum of Innovation for Impact” was a testament to AACR’s commitment to bridging the laboratory bench, the bedside, and the community.
The Transforming Clinical Trials Initiative (TCTI) hit the ground running in 2025 to help develop novel solutions to complex challenges in the development of new tools and treatments for lung cancer. Your support drives us forward, ensuring we can collaboratively address pressing challenges and identify actionable solutions.
Read time: 3 minutes.
RET proteins are a type of receptor tyrosine kinase—an important group of signaling molecules in healthy cells. When RET proteins are turned “on” and “off” in healthy cells, they control the function of other proteins. This cascading effect allows the cells to manage important cellular functions such as cell growth through protein signaling pathways.
Read time: 3 minutes.
Congress is considering major changes to Medicaid as part of broader federal budget negotiations. This blog will walk you through the basics of Medicaid and how current proposals could impact the program.
Read time: 6 minutes.
The research community is finally beginning to gain traction and make real progress in treating small cell lung cancer (SCLC).
Read time: 2 minutes.
The LUNGevity Conversations that Count speaker series offers an opportunity to stay informed, engage in critical discussions, and learn from top experts revolutionizing lung cancer care for underserved populations. The series is intended for healthcare professionals, community health equity champions, and anyone interested in equitable access to healthcare.
Read time: 4 minutes.
The LUNGevity Conversations that Count speaker series offers an opportunity to stay informed, engage in critical discussions, and learn from top experts revolutionizing lung cancer care for underserved populations. The series is intended for healthcare professionals, community health equity champions, and anyone interested in equitable access to healthcare.
Read time: 3 minutes.
Roughly 20% of lung cancer is diagnosed as early-stage disease, and researchers have been working to improve treatment options for these patients—with significant success.
Read time: 4 minutes.
The LUNGevity Conversations that Count speaker series offers an opportunity to stay informed, engage in critical discussions, and learn from top experts revolutionizing lung cancer care for underserved populations. The series is intended for healthcare professionals, community health equity champions, and anyone interested in equitable access to healthcare.
Read time: 6 minutes.
“Even when the diagnosis is hard to accept, there is hope.”
This message resonates deeply with women across the world who are courageously speaking out about their lung cancer journeys—their voices amplified by the recently launched #HearHer campaign.
Read time: 2 minutes.
HOPE Summit is where lung cancer survivors and care partners come together to connect, learn, and thrive. It's a weekend filled with inspiration, knowledge, and a whole lot of hugs and high-fives. Learn more and check out the agenda here.
Read time: 2 minutes.
Rasheed Marshall understands the secondhand effects of cancer well. First his mom, Joycelyn, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1995. It came back in 2015 and eventually metastasized (spread) to her lungs. Soon after, his brother-in-law Romain was diagnosed with brain cancer. They both passed away the same week.
Top researchers bring expertise to guide nation’s top lung cancer nonprofit
On the West Coast, wildfires are taking human lives and destroying homes. On the East Coast, the devastating results of Hurricane Helene are leading to illegal open burning of debris and trash. Thousands of miles separate these fires, but the results are the same—dangerous particles are entering the air we breathe.
University of California, San Diego
Medical Oncologist
Professor of Medicine
Massachusetts General Hospital
Medical Oncologist
Harvard Medical School
Associate Professor of Medicine
Read time: 4 minutes.
The LUNGevity Conversations that Count speaker series offers an opportunity to stay informed, engage in critical discussions, and learn from top experts revolutionizing lung cancer care for underserved populations. The series is intended for healthcare professionals, community health equity champions, and anyone interested in equitable access to healthcare.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death globally, primarily due to challenges in early detection. With funding from Stand Up to Cancer, LUNGevity Foundation, and the American Lung Association, a multidisciplinary team called the Lung Cancer Interception Dream Team was formed in 2017 to tackle this challenge, uniting expertise from various fields to enhance lung cancer interception and prevention.
This initiative includes the development of a lung pre-cancer genome atlas (PCGA) aimed at understanding molecular changes linked to the progression of pre-cancerous lesions to lung carcinoma. With continued funding from LUNGevity Foundation and the American Lung Association, the team plans to establish a temporal atlas for premalignant lung adenocarcinoma by utilizing robot-assisted bronchoscopy to collect samples from patients with ground glass opacities (GGOs) suspected of lung cancer. This effort will not only help identify these lesions but also facilitate the targeted delivery of intervention agents.
By gaining insights into progression-associated molecular alterations and cellular interactions, the team aims to significantly advance lung cancer interception strategies - catching cancer at its earliest stages and treatment it before it grows and spreads. Ultimately, the goal is to provide personalized interception approaches for individuals at risk of developing lung cancer.
Cancer interception is catching cancer at its earliest stages and treatment it before it grows and spreads. Our current lack of effective lung cancer interception methods stems from an incomplete understanding of the early molecular events in lung cancer development, Through the 2017 Stand Up To Cancer – LUNGevity Foundation – American Lung Association grant, a multidisciplinary team called the Lung Cancer Interception Dream Team has established the Lung Pre-Cancer Genome Atlas (PCGA), identifying immune and epithelial changes linked to who normal cells become pre-malignant cancer cells. With a second round of funding from LUNGevity Foundation and the American Lung Association, the team will be building on these foundational findings and enhance their efforts by developing a temporal atlas of genomic (DNA-level changes), transcriptomic (RNA-level), and epigenetic changes in pre-malignant lung adenocarcinoma lesions through longitudinal sampling. The team hypothesizes that these lesions exhibit specific genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenetic alterations, with some evading immune detection and advancing to invasive cancer. Ultimately, the insights gained will provide valuable resources for the research community and significantly impact early-stage lung cancer interception.
We lack effective lung cancer interception approaches due to our incomplete understanding of the earliest molecular events associated with lung carcinogenesis, which leave clinicians with few tools to manage precancerous lesions that may be found on CT screening. Our multidisciplinary Lung Cancer Interception Dream Team has made significant progress in establishing a Lung Pre-Cancer Genome Atlas(PCGA) where we have begun to identify immune and epithelial alterations associated with premalignant disease progression. To extend our findings in order to refine targets for lung cancer interception trials, we are proposing to extend our on-going PCGA efforts with two important aims 1) Develop a temporal atlas of premalignant lung adenocarcinoma via establishment of a cohort of longitudinally-sampled ground glass opacities (GGOs) collected with robot-assisted bronchoscopy, representing premalignant and minimally-invasive lung adenocarcinomas and 2) based on our current findings and feedback from our previous reviewers, we will expand our profiling to include spatial and epigenetic profiling of precancerous lesions and minimally invasive carcinoma in biopsy samples collected from the GGO cohort and our Pre-Cancer Genome Atlas 2.0 cohorts. We hypothesize that premalignant lesions bear specific genomic, transcriptomic and epigenetic aberrations, and a subset of these lesions escape immune surveillance and progress to invasive cancer. Our team, will apply spatial profiling using imaging mass cytometry and spatial transcriptomics will allow us to uncover the tissue architecture of the molecular processes associated with progression which in turn will help delineate the cell-cell interactions underlying these processes. Epigenetic profiling via single cell ATAC and bulk DNA methylation sequencing will allow us to overlay information about transcriptional regulation with the other ‘omic data to better understand the regulation of processes associated with progression. Critical to the success of the proposal is the multidisciplinary expertise of the team, involvement of patient advocates and the extensive preliminary data supporting the feasibility of the proposed approaches. The insights gained from successful completion of this project and the data that will made available to the research community will serve as a foundational resource for other investigators in the field and will result in a significant and sustained impact on the interception of early-stage lung cancers.
Read time: 2 minutes.
Researchers have been trying to find new ways to treat small cell lung cancer (SCLC) for a long time. Those efforts are starting to pay off in big ways.
Read time: 2 minutes.
Here we present the final video in our three-part series about how patients and researchers can work together to develop clinical trials.
Read time: 2 minutes.
We are pleased to continue our three-part series about how patients and researchers can work together to develop clinical trials.
Read time: 6 minutes.
After a few unimpressive encounters I experienced in real life, I tentatively returned to the Match dating app. That’s where I stumbled upon a very sweet, kind-hearted, nerdy, and compassionate man. Then I met Nate (Ha! Just joking). It was Nate. We bonded so quickly during which we identified our life goals.
One goal was to have a family.
LUNGevity’s prized research awards are now accepting applications
Foundation is now accepting applications
Read time: 3 minutes.
Throughout 2024 we published blogs sharing scientific meeting recaps, educational content, personal stories, treatment news, and so much more. Below are the most popular articles we published in 2024.
LUNGevity had a tremendous year supporting impactful research in 2024. In addition to our existing portfolio of ongoing research grants, we issued several new research awards in 2024. All of these awards are in strategic areas of research that are likely to move the dial for people living with lung cancer today and those who will be diagnosed in the future.
Below are more details about the research projects we recently announced funding for.
Read time: 5 minutes.
As a member of the lung cancer research, advocacy, and education space, we’re in a position to meet many dedicated and passionate individuals. While our day-to-day focus is on creating a better world for everyone affected by lung cancer, it’s the people we meet and connect with who are driving change and making real progress possible.
Read time: 5 minutes.
Endurance athletes have raised money for LUNGevity across the country, and recently, across the globe. We’ve celebrated researchers running the Big Sur International Marathon and family members completing the BMW Berlin Marathon. And next year, LUNGevity’s first time as an Official Charity Partner with the Schneider Electric Paris Marathon, we get to cheer on Katie Gilmore—a lung cancer survivor who was diagnosed while 12 weeks pregnant.
Groundbreaking research goes beyond kinase inhibition to develop new approach for treating RET-positive cancers
Innovative research brings hope for new approaches to treat RET-positive lung cancer
Read time: 5 minutes.
This year marks 20 years since researchers made a key discovery that changed the face of lung cancer research and treatment.
By uncovering EGFR’s role in lung cancer, researchers developed a new class of drugs—targeted therapies—designed to target specific mutations in lung cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed.
Award lays the foundation for the next generation of immunotherapy breakthroughs
The objective of this project is to develop a blood test that can improve upon current limitations in lung cancer screening. Dr. Patel and his team have developed a method to accurately measure alterations in DNA that are cancer-specific by looking at levels of methylation of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in the bloodstream. Using this method, Dr. Patel will develop a predictive model to identify patients with lung cancer based on these DNA alterations at a single time point, as well as an algorithm that can track these changes in a patient’s DNA over time. If successful, this could help detect lung cancer earlier in its development, thereby leading to better outcomes for patients.
Lung cancer is by far the most deadly cancer in the U.S., with total lung cancer deaths exceeding those of the next three major cancers combined. Such dismal statistics are largely attributable to the insidious nature of the disease; by the time symptoms appear, the cancer has often spread to an extent that makes cure unlikely or impossible. In contrast, patients who are diagnosed at earlier stages have much better outcomes, as their tumors can be entirely removed or eradicated prior to distant spread. Thus, annual chest CT scans for lung cancer screening have proven to be effective at reducing lung cancer deaths, and are currently recommended for patients with a heavy smoking history. However, CT-based screening programs have been practically challenging to implement, and uptake has been slow. An alternative screening approach that has been garnering much enthusiasm is based on development of a simple blood test that detects DNA fragments shed from tumor cells into the bloodstream. Several commercial and academic groups have been racing to develop blood tests for cancer screening based on this concept, and the field has made impressive progress. However, detection of early-stage lung cancers has remained particularly challenging, with sensitivities reaching only ~20-40% for Stage I disease. A key limitation for detection of small, early-stage tumors has been the extremely low abundance of DNA fragments bearing cancer-specific features (such as mutations) in the circulation. To overcome this limitation, our group has developed a technology that can accurately measure cancer-specific alterations in DNA which are more highly abundant (known as “hypermethylation”). In the current project, we propose to develop a predictive model to identify patients with lung cancer based on probabilities inferred from measurement of these DNA alterations. We will then further improve the sensitivity for detecting the earliest stages of lung cancer by developing an algorithm that tracks longitudinal changes in a patient’s DNA signal over time rather than relying on just a single time-point.
Early detection of cancer has long been one of the grand challenges of medicine. It is widely acknowledged that better methods for detection of small, asymptomatic tumors are likely to translate to substantial improvements in cancer survival rates. This is an especially important priority for lung cancer because of its high incidence, high rate of late-stage diagnosis, and high mortality. Over the past decade, liquid biopsy approaches based on detection of cancer-specific mutations or epigenetic changes in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) have made significant inroads towards this goal. However, detection of early-stage lung cancer has been particularly challenging because of the minute amounts of tumor DNA shed into blood. Methylation of cfDNA has emerged as a biomarker of choice for many early detection efforts, but existing technologies are designed to probe for cancer-specific methylation patterns either at pre-specified target sites or across broad genomic regions. The former approach prioritizes a limited subset of cancer-relevant signals, whereas the latter approach yields sparse cancer signals from extensive sequence data. Our group has developed a liquid biopsy technology that comprehensively profiles hypermethylated promoter sequences in cfDNA arising from anywhere in the genome. Using a high-stringency capture strategy based on methylation density rather than sequence, our method is able to globally profile hypermethylated promoters without pre-specifying targets. Gene silencing via promoter hypermethylation is a fundamental mechanism of carcinogenesis, and this aberrant signal can be detected at very low levels in plasma because background methylation patterns in healthy plasma are remarkably consistent. To optimize sensitivity for detection of early-stage lung cancer, we will develop a scoring scheme based on probabilistic machine learning to predict the likelihood of lung cancer by integrating hypermethylation signals across thousands of cell-free DNA fragments. Unlike most current liquid biopsy-based early detection efforts which are focused on identifying individuals with cancer based on a single time-point measurement, here we propose to develop a longitudinal early detection algorithm based on measurement of serial increases in cancer-specific epigenetic signals over time due to tumor growth and accumulating changes in the epigenome.
This project will investigate novel protein degraders (called PROTACs) as a treatment for RET-positive cancers, and will evaluate their efficacy in vitro and in vivo in prostate and lung cancer. PROTACs are highly specific molecules that degrade unwanted or harmful proteins in cells (in this case, RET tyrosine kinase). This research aims to provide a novel therapeutic approach targeting RET signaling, which could overcome resistance to existing RET inhibitors. If successful, it would be a first-in-class compound for further clinical development.
RET receptor tyrosine kinase is a proto-oncogene that requires a co-receptor and secreted ligand for activation. Activating RET mutations are oncogenic targets in non-small cell lung cancer, medullary thyroid cancer and neuroendocrine type cancers. Two RET-specific kinase inhibitors (BLU-667 and LOXO-292) have been FDA approved for treating RET fusion positive cancers. This has led to a tremendous advance in lung cancer therapy and objective response rates in patients naïve to RET inhibitors or who have received other RET inhibitors such as cabozantinib or vandetanib. It is also apparent that RET therapy-driven resistance is common and new alternatives are needed to drug this pathway. Our hypothesis is that targeting RET with novel, first-in-class RET degraders will result in cell death that is more durable than existing inhibitors of RET kinase activity. We will test these novel degraders on several models of prostate and lung cancer to assess on target RET degradation and efficacy in cell line and mouse models. Once novel RET protein degraders are developed and tested in prostate and lung cancer models in vitro and in vivo, we plan to perform pre-clinical optimization studies of compounds and work towards clinical implementation in late stage prostate, lung, and other cancers that rely on RET signaling for survival.
Two RET-specific kinase inhibitors (BLU-667 and LOXO-292) have been FDA approved for treating RET fusion positive cancers. This has led to a tremendous advance in lung cancer therapy and objective response rates in patients naïve to RET inhibitors or who have received other RET inhibitors such as cabozantinib or vandetanib. It is also apparent that RET therapy-driven resistance is common and new alternatives are needed to drug this pathway. Our hypothesis is that targeting RET with novel, first-in-class RET degraders will result in cell death that is more durable than existing inhibitors of RET kinase activity. We will test hypothesis via the following specific aims: Aim 1. Development and characterization of RET degraders for treating RET positive cancers and Aim 2. Evaluate efficacy of RET degraders in in vitro and in vivo NEPC models. In aim 1, we propose to develop RET degraders based on a new RET inhibitor, vepafestinib, and assess RET degrader specificity and activity using a panel of prostate and lung cancer cell line models that overexpress RET or contain RET fusions. We will then evaluate the efficacy of our RET degrader in in vitro and in vivo models of lung and prostate cancer. Once these novel RET protein degraders are developed and tested, we plan to perform pre-clinical optimization studies of compounds and work to identify a suitable pharma partner to develop for clinical implementation in late stage prostate, lung, and other cancers that rely on RET signaling for survival.
This project aims to develop new therapeutic approaches for RET-positive cancers, focusing on overcoming resistance to currently available RET inhibitors. Dr. Somwar and colleagues will investigate ways to block the growth of lung cancers with altered RET in a pathway called MAPK (mitogen activated kinase), which is involved in many biological processes involving cell growth and survival. MAPK is implicated in developing resistance to RET inhibitors and finding strategies to target this pathway in combination with RET could benefit many patients who have no approved therapy options after tumor reoccurence.
Lung cancers are one of the leading causes of death in the US. Significant progress has been made over the past three decades to understand the biology of lung cancers and to stratify these diseases into subsets of patients who will get the maximum benefit of a given form of therapy. New technologies now allow for each patient to have their tumor DNA sequenced to find genetic causes of their cancer. Many genes that regulate cell growth are altered by mutations that cause the unrestricted growth that lead to cancer. Scientists have developed strategies to take advantage of these aberrant genes by finding chemicals or biological agents that will antagonize the protein products of these genes. One gene that is altered in 2% of lung cancers is called RET and there are two drugs that block the tumorigenic function of this cancer-causing gene (oncogene). Although patients respond very well to these two anti-RET drugs at first, they soon become resistant to the therapeutic effects. Additional genetic changes in RET or other genes in the cancer cells that regulate growth are responsible for the drug resistance. Our goal in this grant proposal is to find ways to block the growth of lung cancers with altered RET that stopped responding to anti-RET inhibitors. The strategy that we will test involves the simultaneous inhibition of RET and other proteins in another growth promoting pathway called the MAPK (mitogen activated kinase) pathway. We believe that this therapeutic strategy can benefit more than 30% of patients who stop responding to current drugs that target lung cancers with RET genetic alterations.
RET fusions result from abnormal rearrangements of the kinase domain of RET with other non-essential genes and drive tumorigenesis. These oncogenic chimeric tyrosine kinases are found in approximately 2% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Two FDA-approved selective RET inhibitors (selpercatinib and pralsetinib) have shown great response rates in lung cancer patients. However, resistance to RET inhibitors inevitably occurs, limiting therapeutic benefit. Multiple mechanisms of resistance to RET inhibitors have been described, including acquired RET solvent front mutations (G810R/S/C/V), and RET-independent mechanisms of resistance due to amplifications of other receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) including MET, FGFR1 and ERBB2, and alterations in the RAS-MAPK pathway. Some second-generation RET inhibitors that target secondary RET mutations have been recently developed including vepafestinib (TAS0953/HM06) which is currently being tested in phase I/II clinical trials in the US and Japan for RET fusion positive lung cancer. There is a clinical need to identify mechanisms of resistance to vepafestinib and develop strategies to overcome them.
RET with solvent front mutations, amplification of MET/FGFR1/ERBB2 and RAS-MAPK pathway mutations account for >30% of all resistance mechanisms to first-generation RET drugs, and importantly, all of these alterations are expected to activate the RASMAPK pathway. Therefore, a therapeutic strategy that tackles RAS-MAPK pathway activation is expected to benefit >30% of patients who acquire resistance to first-generation RET drugs. Moreover, given that RET fusions, like all tumors arising from activated RTKs engage the RAS-MPAK pathway for oncogenesis, we believe that many treatment-naïve patients may also benefit from a therapeutic strategy that targets RET and the RAS-MAPK pathway.
Our first goal in this proposal is to simultaneously address resistance due to RAS-MAPK pathway alterations and extending the benefit of first-generation RET drugs by developing a combination therapy strategy involving RET and pan-RAS, MEK1/2 or ERK1/2 inhibitors. Our second goal is to decipher mechanisms by which the transcription factor capicua (CIC) regulate RET-driven tumorigenesis and resistance to RET inhibitors. We will perform transcriptomic, epigenic and proteomic profiling to gain insights into RET-ERK-CIC interaction. Our third goal is to identify and target resistance mechanisms to vepafestinib, so that a therapeutic strategy will be in place for when patients being treated with this drug develop resistance.
Our team includes leaders in the field of lung cancer clinical and translation research who have been at the forefront of lung cancer genomics and therapy, developing state of the art therapeutic strategies. We are well positioned to translate the findings from this study to the clinic within two years. These studies have the potential to benefit more than 30% of lung cancer patients with RET fusions.
This project will explore the use of neoantigens to evaluate immunogenic priming of dendritic cells (DC) in RET+ NSCLC. Neoantigens are short protein fragments present only in cancer cells that bind to genetically encoded proteins known as human leukocyte antigens (HLA). Dr. Cummings will use features of HLA to predict which cancer-specific protein fragments best match an individual’s immune system, utilizing a biobank of RET-rearranged NSCLC biospecimens. This approach could help identify optimal immunogenic targets, that could be translated into a pathway for clinical use of personalized DC vaccines.
RET-rearranged non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a rare subtype of lung cancer that is driven by growth signals triggered by RET activation. RET-specific inhibitors are effective initially, but most benefit from this treatment for only 1-2 years before additional treatment is needed. Chemotherapy is a widely-available option but typically provides less than six months of benefit, and it is unclear whether immunotherapy alone or in combination with chemotherapy is a better option. Findings from other gene-rearranged NSCLC studies, particularly those on ALK-rearranged NSCLC, suggest that immunotherapy works better when the immune system is better exposed to abnormalities created by the gene-rearrangement. These are neoantigens, or short protein fragments present only in cancer cells that bind to human leukocyte antigen (HLA), a scaffold that displays these protein fragments to the immune system. One issue with this approach is that these fragments have to be specifically matched to the immune system of an individual, and even the most common forms of HLA are only found in 20% of people. This means that these types of approaches would be applicable to at most 1 out of 5 people with RET-rearranged NSCLC. Our techniques broaden this approach by using features of HLA to predict which cancer-specific protein fragments best match an individual’s immune system (motif neoepitopes), including neoantigens from RET rearrangements and those predicted from the individual’s tumor. We propose to use our biobank of RET-rearranged NSCLC biospecimens, which have not been previously analyzed, to determine whether we can detect and elicit enhanced immune responses with motif neoepitopes, neoantigens related to RET-rearrangements, or other predicted neoantigens. We can then offer this approach in a currently open clinical trial investigating immune system optimization through an application to the FDA.
RET-rearranged non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) presents challenges in management following progression on selective tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Platinum-based chemotherapy and docetaxel are available options but are without durable benefit. Real world data with single-agent and combination chemo-immunotherapy suggests modest benefit and possible efficacy if immunotherapy-based approaches are appropriately optimized. For the past decade, our group has meticulously curated hundreds of NSCLC biospecimens including matched tissue and blood from multiple timepoints, including 7 RET-rearranged NSCLC cases that have not previously been analyzed. We have extensive expertise in neoepitope prediction and personalized immunotherapy through dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccination. Our most recent collaboration enabled functional assessments of T-cells through nanovial-based affinity repertoires, further enhancing our ability to predict and translate immunogenic peptides through a personalized vaccine-based program. We propose to use our RET-rearranged NSCLC biospecimens to systematically study T-cell-specific responses to identify optimal immunogenic peptide targets, an approach that could be translated in our currently open and approved DC vaccination trial (NCT03546361) through single patient exemptions.
This project will investigate the role of cells called macrophages, key components of the immune system that have multiple functions, including immune surveillance within a unique communication pathway called hedgehog (Hh). The hedgehog signaling pathway is involved in cell growth and differentiation, as well as maintenance of stem cells and tissue repair. Disruption or inhibition of Hh can create an environment that is less favorable for survival of cancer cells, allowing a patient’s immune system to combat it more effectively. This research has the potential to benefit patients who have been diagnosed with NSCLC, who have not responded to current treatments including immunotherapy by boosting the body’s own defense mechanisms.
Lung cancer remains one of the most lethal types of cancer worldwide, with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounting for a majority of cases. The goal of our research is to better understand the relationship between certain immune cells called macrophages and NSCLC, and how this interaction contributes to the cancer's survival and resistance to treatment. The scientific premise of our project lies in investigating a unique communication pathway known as hedgehog signaling within these macrophages and determining how it impacts the immune system's ability to fight lung cancer. If successful, our research has the potential to benefit patients who have been diagnosed with NSCLC, particularly those who have not responded to current treatments including treatment with immune therapies. By disrupting the hedgehog signaling pathway in macrophages, we hope to create a tumor immune environment that is less favorable for cancer cell survival, allowing patients' immune systems to effectively combat the disease. This research can pave the way for innovative therapeutic approaches that boost the body's own defense mechanisms.
The prognosis for patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains poor despite recent progress in immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy. Thus, there is an urgent need to understand mechanisms for lung cancer immune evasion within the tumor microenvironment (TME) in order to develop more effective and durable strategies for treating lung cancer. Tumor associated macrophages (TAMs), a major component of the tumor stromal mass, generally display an anti-inflammatory phenotype and can facilitate tumor growth by promoting angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis, as well as immune evasion. However, it remains largely undefined exactly how these TAMs regulate anti-tumor immune responses within the TME. Will test the hypothesis that hedgehog signaling in TAMs interferes with recruitment of CD8+ T cells to the TME through the following specific aims: 1) Investigate the role of Hh inhibition with anti-PD-L1 therapy in non-small cell lung cancer; 2) Study the impact of Hh inhibition on TAMs and changes within the TME. The objective of this project is to understand signals required for functional polarization of TAMs within the TME and its contributions to immune cell dysregulation and cancer progression, and whether combined Hh inhibition and ICB can overcome resistance to immunotherapy.
In patients with EGFR-mutant NSCLC, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been an effective treatment, but over time these patients develop resistance to TKIs, leading to tumor relapse. Dr. Yang’s project focuses on cancer cells called drug-tolerant persisters (DTPs), which are implicated in TKI resistance. A gene called HER3 is expressed in DTPs, and Dr. Yang will use specially engineered immune cells, called CAR-T cells, to target both HER3 and EGFR simultaneously. If successful, this approach would result in a bi-specific CAR-T cell that can be further evaluated in clinical trials.
In lung cancer patients with a specific genetic mutation in EGFR, certain drugs can be helpful, but over time, the cancer can learn to resist these drugs, making them less effective. We're focusing on a small group of tough cancer cells, called DTPCs, that survive the initial treatment because they might be the key to curing the cancer for good. We've noticed that a gene called HER3 is expressed more in these cells. We also have promising results from CAR-T cell therapy. It is a treatment using T cells, a type of immune cells, engineered with the chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) so they can find and destroy cancer cells. We've found that CAR-T cells targeting EGFR can kill DTPCs. We believe if we use these T cells to attack both HER3 and EGFR at the same time, we might have a better chance of killing off these stubborn cancer cells. To make sure this idea works, we'll first check if HER3 is indeed more expressed in these DTPCs in the lab and samples from patients. Then, we'll test our HER3-targeting CAR-T cells to see if they can kill these DTPCs. If that looks promising, we'll tweak the T cells to target both HER3 and EGFR and see if they work even better. If all goes well, we'll be able to make one of the first effective CAR-T cells to target both HER3 and EGFR and try them out in clinical trials.
In NSCLC patients harboring mutant EGFR, treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has demonstrated efficacy. However, the emergence of resistance to EGFR TKIs remains a significant challenge, leading to disease progression. Targeting drug-tolerant persister cells (DTPCs), a rare subpopulation surviving initial treatment, emerges as a more effective strategy than awaiting the development of complete drug resistance, holding potential for curative cancer therapy. Based on our preliminary data on the upregulation of HER3 in DTPCs resistant to EGFR TKIs and the potent antitumor activity of EGFR-targeting chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells against DTPCs. We propose that HER3 is a promising target expressed on EGFR-TKI DTPCs and that CAR-T cells simultaneously targeting both EGFR and HER3 are an effective approach for targeting DTPCs with improved overall efficacy. In this proposal, we will evaluate HER3 as a therapeutic target for CAR-T cell therapy against EGFR-TKI DTPCs by validating its expression in DTPCs using in vitro cell models, in vivo xenograft and PDX models, and patient tissues. Additionally, we will evaluate the anti-tumor activity of HER3-targeting CAR-T cells against DTPCs. Subsequently, we will develop and characterize EGFRxHER3 bispecific CAR-T cells, evaluating their CAR expression, antigen binding affinity, and anti-tumor activity. We next will assess their anti-tumor efficacy in xenograft and PDX models to guide the selection of the most promising bispecific CAR-T cells for further development. If completed successfully, we will have EGFRxHER3 bispecific CAR-T cells ready for GMP-compliant clinical-grade CAR manufacturing, in preparation for clinical trial evaluation.
The introduction of targeted therapies and immunotherapy for early-stage lung cancer is associated with improved survival, but patients can only benefit if they partake in adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapies. Data has shown that inequalities exist for patients with lower socioeconomic status as well as non-White patients when it comes to being referred for and receiving treatment after surgery. These inequalities are likely to increase as new drugs are developed in clinical trials comprised of predominantly white patients. In this project, Dr. Nobel will study the impact of disparities on uptake of adjuvant therapy for NSCLC in a largely minority patient population at Montefiore Medical Center in Bronx, NY. She will provide social support and health literacy to engage patients in their care and collect genetic data about their tumors, which will contribute to future clinical trials that are more inclusive.
Systemic therapy after surgery to remove lung cancer has been demonstrated to improve survival. However, data has shown that there are inequalities in which patients are referred for and receive treatment after surgery, specifically for lower socioeconomic status and non-White patients. As new treatments have been developed, these inequalities are likely to increase as these drugs have been developed in clinical trials predominantly composed of White patients and the benefits in other populations are not known. We have previously demonstrated that using nursing and peer navigators to help guide patients in their cancer care improves treatment adherence in our predominantly Black and Hispanic low socioeconomic status population in the Bronx. The BRONx-TEAM project aims to improve patient outcomes by using a navigation pathway focused on increasing patient adherence to systemic therapy after surgery for non-small cell lung cancer resection. We believe that by providing social support and improving health literacy we can get patients to be more informed and engaged in their cancer care. Furthermore, we will gather genetic data about the patients tumors. Given our patient population, we have a unique opportunity to contribute to the literature to understand the relationships between tumor genetics, treatment types and outcomes in non-White patients. Furthermore, we will investigate the use of a commercial genetic panel to assess risk for recurrence. Given the lack of this type of data in low income non-White patients, we believe that this exploratory portion of our study will serve as an important foundation for future clinical trials that are more inclusive than the currently available literature.
As seen in the phase III trial CheckMate 816 (CM816), neoadjuvant anti-PD-1+chemotherapy improves survival for patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with pathologic response as a major trial endpoint. Our team led the Central Pathology Review for CM816, and we showed the first prospective evidence that the full spectrum of % residual viable tumor (%RVT) associates with event free survival. Given the data supporting pathologic response as a survival surrogate, %RVT will likely be incorporated into the next generation of clinical trials and may ultimately guide clinical decision-making. %RVT is primarily evaluated using visual assessment of routine hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides. We developed a machine learning-based approach to score %RVT, which allows for a standardized approach that can be completed rapidly for a large volume of patients, and we propose to test this algorithm in resection specimens from CM816. Additionally, we will use multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF) to quantify individual features of pathologic response, locate them within the larger tumor bed, and determine the relative contribution in predicting patient outcomes. Furthermore, we will use the novel AstroPath platform, a mIF whole-slide imaging platform that uses algorithms first developed in astronomy to generate tumor-immune maps, to identify additional pre- and on-treatment biomarkers of response. Our goal is to leverage emerging technologies (i.e, machine learning and mIF) to develop the next generation of pathology biomarkers, including pathologic response assessment, and to identify additional features that can potentially be targeted in combination with anti-PD-(L)1+chemotherapy to improve clinical benefit in patients with NSCLC.
Dr. Deutsch’s proposal centers around finding better pathologic predictors of response to neoadjuvant IO in early stage NSCLC. She will utilize machine learning/artificial intelligence to test an algorithm that she and her team have developed that assesses percent residual viable tumor (%RVT), which is the amount of tumor left at the time of surgery. Dr. Deutsch will also characterize tissue specimens using a novel immunofluorescence platform to identify cell types and spatial relationships that are associated with patient benefit to immunotherapy+chemotherapy. This approach can help inform which patients should receive a given therapy, how they will respond, and additional possible targets for the development of new therapies.
Immunotherapy revolutionized the treatment of lung cancer, and is now being extended so patients can receive therapy before surgery. This was supported by a large clinical trial, CheckMate 816 (CM816), where patients with lung cancer showed improved survival when treated with immunotherapy+chemotherapy before surgery, compared to chemotherapy alone followed by surgery. However, there is an unmet need to identify who is most likely to benefit from such an approach. To address this gap, we will apply novel, next-generation pathology biomarkers utilizing machine learning/artificial intelligence and multispectral imaging. Specifically, we have shown that the amount of tumor left at the time of surgery, termed percent residual viable tumor (%RVT), predicts survival. To date, %RVT assessment is primarily performed visually on glass slides using a light microscope. We developed a machine learning-based algorithm for assessing %RVT on digitized glass slides using a small cohort of patients at Johns Hopkins to improve standardization and throughput in preparation for broad usage. Here, we will test the algorithm’s performance in a larger cohort of patients (the CM816 patients). Additionally, we will characterize tissue specimens using the novel multiplex immunofluorescence AstroPath platform, which uses algorithms first developed in astronomy, to identify cell types and spatial relationships that are associated with patient benefit to immunotherapy+chemotherapy. Our goal is to use cutting-edge technologies to improve the care of lung cancer patients by informing which patients should receive a given therapy, how well patients will do after receiving therapy, and possible additional targets for the development of new therapies.
As seen in the phase III trial CheckMate 816 (CM816), neoadjuvant anti-PD-1+chemotherapy improves survival for patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with pathologic response as a major trial endpoint. Our team led the Central Pathology Review for CM816, and we showed the first prospective evidence that the full spectrum of % residual viable tumor (%RVT) associates with event free survival. Given the data supporting pathologic response as a survival surrogate, %RVT will likely be incorporated into the next generation of clinical trials and may ultimately guide clinical decision-making. %RVT is primarily evaluated using visual assessment of routine hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides. We developed a machine learning-based approach to score %RVT, which allows for a standardized approach that can be completed rapidly for a large volume of patients, and we propose to test this algorithm in resection specimens from CM816. Additionally, we will use multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF) to quantify individual features of pathologic response, locate them within the larger tumor bed, and determine the relative contribution in predicting patient outcomes. Furthermore, we will use the novel AstroPath platform, a mIF whole-slide imaging platform that uses algorithms first developed in astronomy to generate tumor-immune maps, to identify additional pre- and on-treatment biomarkers of response. Our goal is to leverage emerging technologies (i.e, machine learning and mIF) to develop the next generation of pathology biomarkers, including pathologic response assessment, and to identify additional features that can potentially be targeted in combination with anti-PD-(L)1+chemotherapy to improve clinical benefit in patients with NSCLC.
Research award supports transformative early detection technology to increase lung cancer-related survival rates
Updated: June 10, 2025
Editor's Note: This important research project is already yielding many tangible results, including being published in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society, a respected, peer-reviewed journal. You can read the abstract of the research paper or dig into the conversation below to learn more about lung cancer screening in marginalized communities.
Read time: 3 minutes.
This video covers the final part of our 3-Part Advocacy 101 series—Patient and Self-Advocacy. The LUNGevity Action Network is joined by advocate and survivor Aurora Lucas, oncology nurse navigator Kathleen Gamblin, as well as LUNGevity care navigator and social worker Angela James, to talk about becoming an effective patient or self-advocate.
Make sure to check out the entire Advocacy 101 series:
The collaborative effort drives awareness about biomarker testing to the metastatic breast cancer community
Elite Athlete Raising Awareness for Lung Cancer Through The Great World Race
Read time: 4 minutes.
From keynote speaker to key athlete, Sean Swarner headlined LUNGevity’s HOPE Summit in May and is now set on completing his next unbelievable feat—completing the Great World Race this November by running seven consecutive marathons, one on each continent.
Read time: 2 minutes.
Brain metastases (also called brain mets) develop when cancer from somewhere else in the body spreads to the brain.
Get the facts and share them. Help raise awareness and dispel the myths and stigma.
Two important changes are coming for Medicare Part D beneficiaries in 2025 as a result of the Inflation Reduction Act:
Lung cancer screening and early detection were major topics of discussion at the World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC), held in San Diego from September 7-10, and the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) conference in Barcelona from September 13-17. This fourth and final blog in our series of updates summarizes highlights from these discussions.
You can read the other update blogs from these fall science meetings:
Awards provide essential support for promising lung cancer researchers early in their careers
This is the third recap blog in our series of updates from the World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC), held in San Diego from September 7-10, and the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) conference, held in Barcelona from September 13-17. This update focuses on early-stage and locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
You can read the other update blogs from these fall science meetings:
This is the second blog in our series of updates from the World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC), held in San Diego from September 7-10, and the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) conference, held in Barcelona from September 13-17. This update focuses on small cell lung cancer (SCLC), which is seen in 15% of people diagnosed with lung cancer.
You can read the other update blogs from these fall science meetings:
This year, the first three weeks of September were packed with lung cancer research updates at the World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) from September 7-10 in San Diego followed by the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) conference from September 13-17 in Barcelona.
Breathe Deep TOGETHER New York City
How has lung cancer impacted your life?
Read time: 2 minutes.
Editors Note: If you missed the International Lung Cancer Survivorship Conference (ILCSC) on September 20-21, you can still register and watch recordings of sessions here.
Read time: 3 minutes.
This collection of resources was specifically created to help people who are part of the LGBTQIA2S+ community and living with lung cancer. Some of the resources below are specific to lung cancer, while others are relevant to people with all types of cancer.
Read time: 3 minutes.
Oncology dietitian Lori Bumbaco takes us on a culinary journey, exploring why experts consistently rank the Mediterranean diet as the number one choice for healthy eating. In addition to the studied health benefits, Lori highlights the unique foods and flavors that make this diet special and provides simple, practical tips on how to incorporate them into your daily meals.
Read time: 4 minutes.
Editor's Note: This article has been updated for 2025 as LUNGevity and ALCSI continue their partnership for Lung Cancer Awareness Month.
Anyone with lungs can get lung cancer, and everyone with lungs can raise awareness this November for Lung Cancer Awareness Month.
Read time: 5 minutes.
This is Part 3 in our series on how drugs get approved to treat lung cancer.
On August 15, 2024, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new treatment regimen for people newly diagnosed with early-stage, resectable (able to be removed by surgery) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors do not have known EGFR mutations or ALK rearrangements.
The recent approval offers another immunotherapy-based treatment regimen for people with stage IIA-IIIB NSCLC—the combination of durvalumab (Imfinzi®) with chemotherapy before surgery, followed by durvalumab after surgery.
On August 19, 2024, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new treatment option for people newly diagnosed with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors have EGFR exon 19 deletions or exon 21 L858R mutations.
The recent approval offers a new chemotherapy-free treatment for patients—the combination of lazertinib (Lazcluze™) with amivantamab-vmjw (Rybrevant®).
Read time: 3 minutes.
This is Part 1 in a 3-part series explaining how new drugs and treatments get approved to treat lung cancer. Parts 2 and 3 will be published in the coming weeks.
Have you ever wondered how a new medicine or drug to treat lung cancer is brought to the people who need it? That’s what clinical trials help us do.
Focused on community and inclusion, this council is committed to ensuring all people have the same opportunity for best-case outcomes.
Impacted by lung cancer in different ways, these members bring a diverse set of skills and knowledge to guide the Foundation's future.
Leaders in their field, these scientists and researchers advise LUNGevity on investing in promising research projects.
These are the leaders who execute the organization's strategic plan on a daily basis.
Read time: 2 minutes.
Many people have heard of HER2-positive breast cancer. But HER2 is an important biomarker found in many different types of cancer—including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Read time: 3 minutes.
Editors Note: If you missed the 2024 International Lung Cancer Survivorship Conference (ILCSC), make sure to join our email list and be the first to know when registration opens for ILCSC 2025.
Four newly inducted members represent the lived experience of lung cancer, advocacy, health equity, and business leadership
Read time: 3 minutes.
Lung cancer research advocacy is about helping translate research into meaningful outcomes for people with lung cancer and their families.
The panelists for this discussion on research advocacy include:
Read time: 2 minutes.
Traditionally, people associate getting involved in lung cancer research with enrolling in a clinical trial. But most don’t realize they can also partner with researchers behind the scenes and get involved in designing clinical trials.
Read time: 4 minutes
Lung cancer is often first identified as a nodule during a routine lung cancer screening or when someone is getting a chest scan for another reason, such as pneumonia. Lung (pulmonary) nodules are abnormal growths that may form in a lung, most of which are not cancerous.
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On June 13, 2024, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the accelerated approval of repotrectinib (Augtyro™) to treat patients with advanced NTRK-positive solid tumors who have either had their disease recur or who don’t have alternative treatment options.
Read time: 8 minutes
Thousands of oncologists, scientists, biotech and pharmaceutical representatives, patients, and advocates (including LUNGevity staff) met to discuss lifesaving cancer research at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago from May 31 through June 4, 2024.
Read time: 3 minutes
It’s been nearly a decade since Frank Sierawski was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer in his 30s. The Sierawski family—including Frank, his wife Kathryn, and their three kids—all experienced his diagnosis, treatment, and remission in different ways.
Read time: 2 minutes
The question of whether lung cancer is hereditary is becoming increasingly important in the lung cancer community. While the average age of lung cancer diagnosis is approximately 70 years old, we are now seeing young adults in their 20s and 30s getting lung cancer.
Learn how different types of lung cancer are classified and how common each type is
There are many different tests that doctors can use to detect and diagnose lung cancer
The most common physical symptoms that might be caused by lung cancer
Learn how lung cancer can be detected early and who should be screened
The nine most common risk factors for developing lung cancer - and what to do about them
What lung cancer is, how it starts, and how it spreads
Read time: 4 minutes
Young adults (less than 50 years of age) are being diagnosed with lung cancer at increasing rates. They tend to be women of Hispanic or Asian descent and are typically diagnosed with advanced-stage lung cancer. Research is ongoing to help us develop effective options to treat these patients medically, but little is known about the effects of the diagnosis on their mental, social, and financial health or their family planning.
Read time: 3 minutes
In part 1 of a 3-part Advocacy 101 series, the LUNGevity Action Network presents a conversation with longtime advocate and lung cancer survivor Jill Feldman.
After a brief introduction to the different types of advocacy—self/patient, political, research/scientific, and media—Jill answers questions and shares just how important advocacy is in the lung cancer space.
On May 16, 2024, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the accelerated approval of tarlatamab-dlle (Imdelltra®) to treat patients with extensive stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC).
This targeted immunotherapy, the first of its kind, is based on new technology. Tarlatamab is a bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE)—a drug with two arms that simultaneously binds to a T cell (a part of the immune system) and a tumor cell. This allows the T cell to come close enough to the tumor cell to recognize and destroy it.
Read time: 5 minutes
At 77 years old, a persistent cough prompted Lola Boyle to visit her doctor on multiple occasions, but her smoking history and diagnoses of COPD and emphysema led the doctor to dismiss it. “You have a cough because you’re a smoker,” he said. This wasn’t enough for Lola’s daughter, Heather. She took her mother to see another doctor, and after just listening to Lola struggle with speaking, the doctor immediately ordered chest x-rays to learn more.
Read time: 2 minutes
Integrative oncology adds holistic approaches—such as acupuncture, nutrition, exercise, and mindfulness—into a treatment plan. Research shows these interventions can have a tremendous impact on people going through lung cancer treatment and their quality of life. Unfortunately, they are also topics riddled with myths and falsehoods.
LUNGevity spoke to an expert to help sort out the facts from the fiction.
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.
Doughtie brings decades of experience in leadership and business innovation to LUNGevity’s strategic direction
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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:
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.
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.
Lung cancer experts from Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center dive into the how and why behind targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and
Bristol Myers Squibb Company
Executive Director, Thoracic Cancers Medical Strategy
Research aims to improve our ability to overcome shared mechanisms of drug resistance in lung adenocarcinoma
Partnership creates new research award to help people living with all types of RET-positive cancer
Partnership aims to fill the need for lifesaving research in RET-positive lung cancer
Coveted research awards are a key step to encourage talented researchers to focus on lung cancer in their field of study
Award supports research in area of unmet need for patients treated with immunotherapy who are not eligible for a targeted therapy
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Get resources and information tailored for people with your specific type of lung cancer
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.
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.
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.
Different types of lung cancer are known to be caused, or driven, by alterations in genes such as EGFR or
Campaign highlights diverse stories of people living with lung cancer
Awareness campaign underscores importance of comprehensive biomarker testing as part of “KNOWvember” during Lung Cancer Awareness Month
Research award supports work to find lung cancer earlier when it is most curable
Researchers aim for innovative approaches to overcome drug resistance in patients living with EGFR-positive non-small cell lung cancer
Awards bolster the thoracic oncology workforce by supporting impactful research projects
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.
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.
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.
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.
University of Mississippi Medical Center
Section Chief, General Thoracic Surgery
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Driving a multitude of lung cancer early detection initiatives allows more people to be diagnosed earlier when the disease is more treatable
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.
The latest LUNGevity announcements plus news about advances in lung cancer science and research.
Our ongoing work to amplify the patient voice and improve outcomes for people with lung cancer.
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.
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.
Baptist Cancer Center
Director of the Multidisciplinary Thoracic Oncology Program
Vanderbilt University
Research Professor
Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center
Research Member
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Join an event, volunteer, or fundraise to get involved with LUNGevity and the lung cancer community.
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.
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!”
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.”
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?
Two rising stars in lung cancer early detection awarded research funds in honor of LUNGevity’s first Scientific Advisory Board member
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.
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.
Collaboration seeks to leverage studies of common drug-resistance mechanisms to improve outcomes for patients with oncogene-driven lung adenocarcinoma
Collaboration seeks to improve outcomes for patients with EGFR-positive non-small cell lung cancer
Collaboration to seed critical progress in radiation oncology for patients with lung cancer
Applications are now available online
Michelle’s vast personal and professional experience will help accelerate efforts to increase lung cancer screening
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
People living with lung cancer and their caregivers share the importance of finding your community to live better with lung cancer
Awareness campaign underscores importance of biomarker testing as part of “KNOWvember” during Lung Cancer Awareness Month
Providing mentorship for minority researchers and clinicians is vital to create an inclusive work environment and improving outcomes for minority patients
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
LUNGevity is excited to kick off Lung Cancer Awareness month this November with Breathe Deep TOGETHER presented by Amgen.
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
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 strategically supports lung cancer researchers to continue progress in early detection and treatment
Team LUNGevity attracts experienced athletes, newcomers, and everyone in between.
For the 11th consecutive year, LUNGevity invests in the future of lung cancer research
Treatment and drug-specific studies for different types of lung cancer.
Focused on the lived experience of patients on topics like medication side effects, quality of life, treatment changes, and more.
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.
Improving diverse representation in the scientific community promotes equity in research and healthcare delivery
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.
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.
Paper offers framework for standardizing eligibility criteria for lung cancer clinical trials
My first time attending the NMA 2022 Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly
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.
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
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.
Studies amplify voices of patients and caregivers within the lung cancer community
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
An analysis conducted by LUNGevity Foundation finds more therapies are being developed for early-stage lung cancer, highlighting the need for increased biomarker testing
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.
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, 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.
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:
LUNGevity recognizes Amgen for its exceptional commitment to lung cancer communities and improving outcomes for people diagnosed with the disease
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
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.
In a consultative role, Dr. Standifer will aid in the development and cultivation of new research partners
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.
A health policy professional with an extensive background in government affairs, Brandon will be an exceptional advocate for people living with lung cancer
A highly recognized cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Stiles is committed to eliminating health disparities
Montefiore Health System, Bronx, NY
Chief of Thoracic Surgery and Surgical Oncology
Albert Einstein Cancer Center
Associate Director of Surgical Oncology
A licensed social worker with extensive oncology experience, James will be a valuable resource for people living with lung cancer
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.
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).
The specialized resource offers patients with ALK-positive lung cancer and their caregivers access to information, scientific news, webinars, and community
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.
Dr. Manley, Jr, brings years of experience focused on equitable access to health care
Participate in this month-long activity challenge that brings together runners, swimmers, cyclists, and others from across the country.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Funding to improve outcomes for those with advanced RET-positive lung cancer
RET-positive lung cancer community funds research into critical areas of need
New award program honors the late Dr. Massion, internationally renowned expert in lung cancer early detection and prevention strategies; applications are now available online
Applications are now available online
Applications are now available online
Applications are now available online
Collaboration for patient-driven research that has lifesaving potential
January is National Radon Awareness Month
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.
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.
Investigators to create programs to address barriers to equitable lung cancer healthcare in high-risk populations
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.
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.
Medical experts and people living with lung cancer share the importance of early detection of lung cancer to ensure optimal patient outcomes
Campaign recognizes November as “KNOWvember” during Lung Cancer Awareness Month
The first of six innovative, specialized patient resources, the KRAS gateway allows patients to easily access KRAS-specific information and connect to community
Get resources and information tailored for people with your specific type of lung cancer or biomarker
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.
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.
Donation of lungcancer.org expands impactful long-term partnership
Nominate someone living with lung cancer or a caregiver, volunteer, or fundraiser who is making a positive impact in the LUNGevity community.
Your questions may be answered in an upcoming Savor Health blog post!
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.
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.
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.
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.
LUNGevity is a well established thought leader in lung cancer policy, particularly around issues that pertain to advancement of innovation and access to care
LUNGevity maintains commitment to fund impactful research to catch lung cancer in its earliest and most treatable stages
Awards support exceptional young researchers to augment the lung cancer research pipeline and advance the field
LUNGevity supports lung cancer researchers who serve veterans, a high-risk population
Awards support outstanding early-stage lung cancer researchers from underrepresented populations
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.
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
Funding to improve outcomes for those with advanced RET-positive lung cancer; applications now available online
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.
LUNGevity's unique survivorship events are designed to inform, connect, and empower anyone who has been affected by lung cancer
LUNGevity Tribute Funds help you honor a loved one and raise money in their name.
Find a fundraising event or create your own to raise money for lifesaving research, education, support, and services.
Use a will, trust, or IRA to make a future gift and support the next family diagnosed with lung cancer.
Set up a monthly recurring donation to make a lasting impact.
Donate stock to support our work and get potentially favorable tax savings for yourself.
See all the events LUNGevity hosts, from weekly meetups to webinars and large community gatherings.
Make a donation to support our work and the lung cancer community.
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.
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.
A well-regarded leader in health equity education, this month’s honoree works to eliminate inequalities in cancer care within the LGBTQ community
Explore a robust glossary of terms and acronyms related to lung cancer.
Browse additional resources selected to help you find more information and support.
Find support services to help you manage your finances while living with a lung cancer diagnosis.
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.
View and download materials about lung cancer, raising awareness in your community, and vital support services for survivors and their loved ones.
View and download checklists to help you prepare for doctor visits and traveling.
The results are in, and now what? Learn about the important steps you need to take after a follow-up screening.
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.
Help guide your treatment conversations at every step with this series of questions for you to ask your healthcare team.
See if the present guidelines suggest that you should be screened for lung cancer. Start the quiz now.
Understand what the present guidelines are for lung cancer screening and how that may impact your doctor’s recommendation.
Take an in-depth look at the many risk factors associated with lung cancer, including tobacco smoke, radon, and air pollution.
Get inspired to start your own event and see how real people can make a real difference.
Run, bike, swim, climb, and more to help us stop lung cancer.
This nationwide walk brings our Breathe Deep community TOGETHER for a morning of celebration, hope, and remembrance for all those affected by lung cancer.
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.
LUNGevity’s research center is designed to connect the patients’ voice with healthcare professionals, policymakers, and developers of drugs to help inform their decisions.
We believe collaborations accelerate results. Our programs are built with input from or in partnership with key community stakeholders.
We are informed by data, identify and implement best practices, and know the importance of action and collaboration to create change.
LUNGevity is working along the entire spectrum of care to drive access to precision medicine.
Join the LUNGevity Action Network to stay updated on advocacy news, sign petitions, and send messages to policymakers.
To change outcomes for people with lung cancer, we need you. Your thoughts and questions can make the difference.
We believe in evidence. These peer-reviewed publications and white papers support the science behind our initiatives.
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.
Raise awareness to help create a better world for those living with lung cancer.
Explore the different ways you can donate and fundraise for lung cancer research and community support.
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.
The program recognizes community leaders whose work exemplifies best practices in supporting people with lung cancer in at-risk communities
The award will support young investigators interested in community-based participatory research whose projects address disparities and promote health equity in lung cancer
Immunotherapy, the treatment that harnesses the body’s natural defenses to fight disease, has helped patients, excited imaginations, and stimulated new avenues of research in lung cancer.
Over the past several years, Jeffrey Thompson, MD, MS, watched eagerly as checkpoint inhibitors, immunotherapy drugs that take the brakes off the immune system to allow the body to fight disease more efficiently, were approved in the front-line setting for lung cancer.
Checkpoint blockade immunotherapy uses drugs to take the brakes off a patient’s immune system so that the immune cells can then recognize and attack tumor cells. However, the majority of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients either will not respond to these therapies or will have tumors that develop resistance after initial success with immunotherapy.
Dr. Lauren Byers is a rising star in the field of lung cancer research.
In the past decade, researchers have identified many types of lung cancer, including ALK-positive lung cancer, a subset of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) resulting from the fusion of the ALK gene with another gene (usually EML4). It is found in about 5% of NSCLCs.
In 2017, I was a medical resident. I heard from more senior residents in my Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) program that you could have a normal life in the five months of the anesthesia rotation. It seemed like perfect timing because I started having soreness in my back around the same time; I figured with all this extra time I would have on anesthesia, I could start hitting the gym again to work on my six-pack.
Comprehensive biomarker testing is the first step for advanced-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients to secure personalized and specific information about their cancer to gui
Anil Vachani, MD, a member of LUNGevity’s Scientific Advisory Board, routinely sees patients who are suspected of having lung cancer. As a pulmonologist, or lung disease specialist, in the thoracic oncology program at the University of Pennsylvania, he is often the first doctor his patients see after an abnormality has been detected on their lung CT scan or X-ray.
Yay! It’s November again and I get to write the first science blog for Lung Cancer Awareness Month. And what’s more interesting and important than early detection of lung cancer?
Dr. Joshua Campbell has been immersed in the field of lung cancer for several years and wanted to find a better way to diagnose squamous cell lung cancer patients, a subtype of non-small cell lung cancer, while the cancer is in early stages. “There is a huge need for research in this area,” he notes. “Improving early detection techniques will be key to improving survival rates for patients with squamous cell lung cancer.”
Whoever said, “Sticks and stones may break your bones, but names/words will never hurt you,” has never had lung cancer and heard those three words - Did you smoke or have to say those three words - I never smoked.
Those three words are toxic and create a serious barrier to diagnosis, treatment and acceptance in the community. Even worse, they have created a barrier that is holding the lung cancer community back; a perpetuated stigma within the community itself. It’s there and it’s significant.
This blog is something I’ve been thinking about for a very long time. I’ve hesitated to write about it, with the fear of being misunderstood, but I think it’s important enough to take that risk.
It is hard to believe, hope, and endure when it comes to lung cancer.
This is my favorite time of the year. Longer days, nice weather, and summer right around the corner, but what I really love about this time is March Madness, the NCAA College Men’s Basketball Tournament.
