Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)
A gene that is commonly rearranged in lung cancer. This is an actionable mutation
Overcoming bypass signaling to enhance clinical responses in ALK-positive lung cancer
Phase 1 first in-human clinical trial with a therapeutic ALK vaccine in patients with ALK+ NSCLC
Targeting the Complement Pathway in ALK Positive Lung Cancer
Overcoming Innate Immune Resistance in ALK-Rearranged Lung Cancer
Characterization of Anti-ALK Immunologic Responses in ALK-Positive NSCLC
Identifying Tumor Genomic Changes in Lung Cancers
Targeted therapies have shown great promise. However, up to 40% of patients with lung cancer do not test positive for a known target. Dr. Rebecca Heist is studying this group of patients and using DNA sequencing technology to identify novel targets for treatment.
Dissecting the role of negative feedback inhibition in ALK+ lung cancer
A subset of lung cancer patients have mutations in a gene called ALK. Dr. Lovly will identify new molecular targets that can be blocked in combination with ALK inhibitors to overcome the resistance that often develops after successful treatment and to promote better responses.
Molecular predictors of outcome in non-small cell lung cancer
Dr. Maher is working to improve on the accuracy and usability of tests that identify lung cancer patients who are likely to relapse. He is using next-generation sequencing techniques to develop a signature set of key genetic changes and convert it to a clinical test that will be able to predict who is at high risk for relapse.