Patients, caregivers, and others interested in lung cancer research gathered at The RiverMarket Kitchen and Bar in Tarrytown, NY on April 13 to hear about the latest developments and important topics in lung cancer. LCRF Together New York offered an opportunity for the community to connect while learning about promising therapies for treatment.
Brendon Stiles, MD, and Balazs Halmos, MD, MS, from Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center had a lively discussion with the group and moderator Isabel Preeshagul, DO, MBS, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Dr. Stiles is the Vice Chair of LCRF’s Board of Directors and Scientific Advisory Board, Dr. Preeshagul is the Chair of LCRF’s Education & Engagement Committee, and Dr. Halmos is a previously funded LCRF researcher.
The panel began with an important discussion around lung cancer screening – why it’s so essential to be screened if you are eligible, and their strategies for increasing awareness and screening rates in their own practices. Early-stage lung cancer was the subject of some especially compelling conversation, particularly around recent studies that provide practice-changing guidance around how we treat early-stage disease using neoadjuvant therapy.
The speakers also touched upon the role of next generation sequencing (NGS) testing in the early-stage setting and how that can impact care. With the approval of adjuvant osimertinib based on the ADAURA data and new ALINA data published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) for those harboring ALK fusions, the importance of NGS testing regardless of staging is becoming increasingly imperative. The event closed out with updates on targeted therapies and antibody drug conjugates, and excitement around what’s coming down the pipeline for small cell lung cancer. As always, those gathered had many insightful questions, which also provided an opening for getting to know others in the lung community.
Dr. Stiles shared his excitement around the incredible progress in lung cancer treatment during the last decade, highlighting the critical role that LCRF and the research we have funded over the years has contributed to these significant advancements and improved outcomes for patients.
“Gatherings like this one are so essential for the lung community because not only are we are able to learn from experts in the space but more importantly hear from patients, caregivers and advocates the true needs and areas where we can be most impactful.”, said Dr. Preeshagul.
Be on the lookout for other events happening near you, as well as our #TogetherSeparately livestream talks.
Special thanks to our sponsors:
Bristol Myers-Squibb | Genentech, a member of the Roche Group