Yang Tian, PhD, a researcher in the Watanabe Laboratary at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, recently presented the results of her research in a video chat with the EGFR Resisters community. Dr. Tian received a 2021 Lung Cancer Research Foundation Pilot Grant, which was funded jointly by the EGFR Resisters and LCRF.
About her research
Dr. Tian’s research aims to identify cancer cells that persist after treatment with osimertinib. These cells are called drug tolerant persisters or DTPs. She found that these cells emerge very early after treatment and cause the lung cancer to become tolerant or resistant to osimertinib.
Two markers (H3K27me3 and H3K27ac) appear to regulate the development of DTPs and may be targets for future treatment. From a library of drugs, she identified several that may work with osimertinib to overcome these resistant cells. Though this work is early science, Dr. Tian’s plan is to continue to study these drugs in cancer cell cultures and tumor-bearing mice – a necessary step before these drugs can be tested in patients.
Dr. Tian also is studying a biomarker for the development of DTPs, so these cells can be found out before treatment begins. She plans to investigate whether there are other potential targets for treatment.
Why it’s important
Understanding why and how resistant cancer cells develop is a crucial first step in developing clinical strategies to overcome resistance. The more we know regarding how to tackle drug-resistant cancer, the more likely we are to develop curative treatment down the line.
The good news is that Dr. Tian is making progress, and the hope is that patients will see a benefit in the near future.
Our Chicago area lung cancer community gathered on Tuesday, junio 6 to discuss updates to discuss lung cancer updates coming out of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting. Panelists shared their thoughts on the meeting and took general questions from the audience.
Ivy Elkins from EGFR Resisters moderated the panel, which included:
Nisha Mohindra, MD, 2019 LCRF grantee, Associate Professor, Medicine, Hematology Oncology Division, Feinberg School of Medicine
Jessica Donington, MD, MSCR, LCRF Scientific Advisory Board member, Professor and Chief General Thoracic Surgery, University of Chicago School of Medicine
Laila A. Gharzai, MD, Radiation Oncologist, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern Medicine
Melanie M. Smith, MD, Palliative Care Physician, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern Medicine
Palliative care and hospice care
Dr. Smith addressed differences between palliative care and hospice care – a question she noted comes up often in her practice. “When I explain palliative care to patients, to families, even to students or residents, I talk about the three things that we do: symptom management, support for patients and families, and thinking about the future; making sure that your care plan really honors your goals and your values,” she said.
“I would say palliative care is the big umbrella term, and hospice is a little sliver of palliative care,” she explained. “Hospice is really only for patients who are done treating their cancer. Whereas with palliative, we can follow you anywhere on your journey. Most of my patients I see in clinic, sometimes in the hospital, but we are trying to help you tolerate your therapies, right, trying to help you live longer and live better.”
ADAURA trial significance
Dr. Mohindra explained some of the terms used in treatment – neoadjuvant, adjuvant, and perioperative. She noted that these terms were heard often during the ASCO meeting. “It’s in relation to the curative intent surgeries, is generally how I think of it,” she said. “Neoadjuvant is treatment that’s delivered prior to surgery. Adjuvant is treatment that’s delivered after surgical resection, and perioperative is where it’s given on both ends of the spectrum. So that’s how the landscape is evolving.”
The ADAURA trial, which Dr. Mohindra noted “was a big headliner for ASCO this year,” looked at the use of osimertinib, an EGFR-directed therapy, after a surgical resection. “Without going through all the details of the trial, it significantly improved survival by using osimertinib compared to not using osimertinib. We knew there were early hints that disease recurrence was much less when you used osimertinib, but we finally saw what we all are waiting for in lung cancer – that there was a true survival benefit.”
“I think that that not only confirms its place in the landscape post-surgery, but now gives data and possibly access to different parts of the world – some patients, depending on where you are located, may not have access to drugs until certain metrics are met.”
Another trial looked at chemotherapy with immunotherapy before surgery and up to a year after. “Anything we’ve seen over the last couple of years shows this approach with the right patients has led to significant improvements in keeping the disease from coming back,” said Dr. Mohindra.
New approaches to surgery
Dr. Donington spoke about the presentation she had given at ASCO on the resection of localized lung cancer. “A lot of the big press at ASCO on resectable lung cancer happened in patients with stage two and three disease, where all of these medicines are making a huge benefit. But in stage one disease, our earliest patients, we’ve also made some significant changes,” she explained “It’s actually kind of unusual in lung cancer – we’re actually learning how to deescalate the surgeries that we do, taking less lung for the same oncologic benefit.”
Two large trials in the past two years compared lobectomy – the surgery most patients undergo – with a sub lobar resection, taking a portion of the lobe instead. This procedure is for select patients, Dr. Donington explained, “not every patient, but patients with tumors less than two centimeters. It actually showed that in well-selected patients, they did better. If we left more lung, that lung’s important – these are organs you need, and the more you leave is better.”
With increased lung cancer screening, the hope is to find nodules that are a centimeter in size, rather than three or four. “In that case, doing a less of an operation is really exciting. It does bring some new technical hurdles. Sometimes some of these little itty bitty lung cancers are hard for us to find and locate and make sure they’re in the right place. But those are good things to take on, because it’s nice to leave your patients with as much lung as possible.”
LCRF continued discussing findings presented at ASCO during its julio #TogetherSeparately livestream. Find out more at LCRF.org/together.
Dennis P. Chillemi retires as LCRF’s Executive Director, Aubrey Rhodes steps into role
NEW YORK, NY (junio 20, 2023) – The Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF) announces today the retirement of its Executive Director, Dennis P. Chillemi, and the appointment of Aubrey Rhodes, currently LCRF’s Senior Vice President of Strategy, as his successor, effective julio 1, 2023.
Dennis Chillemi
Mr. Chillemi joined LCRF as its executive director in noviembre 2018, following its merger with Free to Breathe, a lung cancer fundraising organization based in Madison, WI. During his tenure, LCRF successfully weathered the COVID-19 pandemic, thriving in an uncertain environment. Under his leadership, LCRF’s research investment grew to its all-time high of over $2.4 million in a single grant cycle through research partnerships with industry and patient-led advocacy groups. Building on his vast experience in non-profit leadership from his years with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, as well as several volunteer leadership positions, Mr. Chillemi brought a culture of philanthropy and growth to LCRF. Mr. Chillemi plans to spend his time working with his wife Annie and daughter MaryKate on their family farm in New York’s Hudson Valley and enjoying time with all seven of his children and his four grandchildren.
“We’re grateful for Dennis’s leadership and wish him well as he retires,” remarked Reina Honts, chair of LCRF’s board of directors. “He has set LCRF up to continue its growth trajectory, and his mentorship of Aubrey into the role of executive director will ensure continued success. Her deep knowledge of non-profit management and administration, along with her accomplishments leading LCRF’s strategy, make her the right leader for the organization. Aubrey’s commitment to forging strategic partnerships, ensuring that lung cancer patients are engaged in all areas of LCRF-funded research, and empowering volunteer leadership is evident in everything she does.”
Aubrey Rhodes
Ms. Rhodes joined Free to Breathe, a legacy organization of LCRF, in 2016 as its head of community engagement and outreach, and was elevated to LCRF’s Senior Vice President, Strategy in 2021. In that role, Ms. Rhodes successfully led the organization in developing its first strategic plan, its research roadmap and partnered with Mr. Chillemi and the volunteer leadership of LCRF in identifying and hiring its first Chief Scientific Officer. Her prior experience with the ALS association in volunteer management, development, and fundraising, coupled with her strategic roles at LCRF, position her well for this new undertaking.
“I’m confident and excited to pass the baton to Aubrey,” said Mr. Chillemi. “Her leadership and keen instincts over the years have demonstrated her skill as well as her commitment to the lung cancer community. LCRF is in good hands and will thrive under her leadership.”
About the Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF) The Lung Cancer Research Foundation® (LCRF) is the leading nonprofit organization focused on funding innovative, high-reward research with the potential to extend survival and improve quality of life for people with lung cancer. LCRF’s mission is to improve lung cancer outcomes by funding research for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure of lung cancer. To date, LCRF has funded 409 research grants, totaling nearly $42 million, the highest amount provided by a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding lung cancer research. For more information, visit LCRF.org.
Groups introduce $2 million, multi-year research partnership and open 2023 Request for Proposals
NEW YORK, NY (junio 15, 2023)– The Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF) and the ALK Positive Inc. (ALK Positive) announce the expansion of its current research partnership to fund $2 million in ALK-positive related lung cancer projects over three years. The aim of this research is to advance high-impact research focused upon transforming care and improving outcomes for patients with ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangements were first detected in NSCLC in 2007 and occur in 5% of lung cancers. However, ALK rearrangements are significantly more common in young patients. Overall, the average age for lung cancer diagnoses is 70. ALK positive lung cancers are seen in half of lung cancers diagnosed before age 50, nearly one third diagnosed before 40, and occurs in patients in their teens and twenties. Risk factors for ALK-positive lung cancer are young age, female, and little or no smoking history.
Research, clinical trials, and improved molecular profiling has accelerated precision medicine approaches for treating NSCLC. The FDA has approved a number of therapies targeting various molecular subsets of NSCLC. ALK-positive specific NSCLC therapies now include crizotinib, ceritinib, alectinib, brigatinib, and lorlatinib, with newer, next-generation therapies, demonstrating superior efficacy against the disease. While ALK-positive targeted therapies can produce durable responses, many ALK-positive NSCLC patients eventually develop resistance to these therapies.
Given that therapeutic options available to date are not curative, there is a need for novel approaches to treat these lung cancers and improve outcomes for patients. This grant mechanism will focus on furthering the development of novel therapies, including immunotherapeutic approaches, for patients with tumors harboring rearrangement of the ALK gene.
Work supported through this mechanism will address important mechanistic questions and developmental therapeutics across the care continuum and have the potential to increase survivorship. Given the specific interest in the development of novel therapies that could benefit this group of patients in the relatively near-term, a clinical trial must be associated with the project. It is also expected that a program of correlative, translational research will be proposed that will enhance the understanding of these oncogenic-driven lung cancers.
“ALK Positive is excited to once again partner with LCRF on important research. Our partnership leverages LCRF’s rigorous selection process and access to experts to help us choose and support the research most likely to save the lives of patients and improve their quality of life,” notes Dr. Kenneth W. Culver, ALK Positive Director of Research and Clinical Affairs, and ALK Positive’s representative for this research partnership. “This $2 million research award program expands on our research partnership with LCRF and will bring the total research grants our organization has helped fund and select to almost $7 million. The members and supporters of ALK Positive and LCRF have made amazing efforts to raise funds for this award program.”
“We are delighted to partner with ALK Positive on this funding mechanism,” remarked Dr. Antoinette Wozniak, Chief Scientific Officer of LCRF. “It is so important to push for near-term solutions for patients with tumors harboring ALK translocations, as resistance is expected, and options for these patients are limited. Both LCRF and ALK Positive are committed to investing in research that will improve therapeutic options and increase survivorship.”
This funding mechanism will grant awards to selected projects; applications will be subject to a rigorous review by ALK Positive’s Research Review Panel and LCRF’s Scientific Advisory Board. More details about the Request for Proposal, along with eligibility, requirements, and deadlines will soon be available at LCRF.org/FundingOpportunities.
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About the Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF) The Lung Cancer Research Foundation® (LCRF) is the leading nonprofit organization focused on funding innovative, high-reward research with the potential to extend survival and improve quality of life for people with lung cancer. LCRF’s mission is to improve lung cancer outcomes by funding research for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure of lung cancer. To date, LCRF has funded 409 research grants, totaling nearly $42 million, the highest amount provided by a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding lung cancer research. For more information about the LCRF grant program and funding opportunities, visit LCRF.org/research.
About ALK Positive ALK Positive is a 501(c)(3) organization with the mission to improve the life expectancy and quality of life of ALK-positive cancer patients worldwide. ALK Positive is committed to raising funds for research to fund research proposals that will transform ALK-positive cancer into a chronic or curable condition for all patients living with this disease. ALK Positive has raised over $7M to date to fund ALK-positive specific cancer research. ALK Positive is affiliated with the ALK Positive Support Group, the world’s largest community of ALK-positive patients. For more information about ALK Positive, please visit www.alkpositive.org.
Contact:
Lung Cancer Research Foundation Sheila Sullivan Sr. Director, Marketing & Communications ssullivan
The good news: Results are in for the phase 3, double-blind ADAURA trial, and the news is very good. In the trial, patients with stages IB, II or IIIA, completely resected EGFR mutation-positive (EGFRm+) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) received a once-a-day regimen of osimertinib (Tagrisso®). The trial, which followed 682 patients, showed a 51% decrease in mortality at five years. A full 88% of those participating in this clinical trial were still alive five years after their initial surgery for their lung cancer, compared to 78% of those in the control group.
Why it’s important: Osimertinib is the standard of care for previously untreated, advanced EGFRm+ NSCLC. Prior to the ADAURA Trial, the benefit of osimertinib post-surgery (adjuvant) was unknown. The results of this study prove the drug’s efficacy and safety for patients treated after surgical removal of their lung cancer.
What it means for patients: Patients who have already had surgery for their early-stage EGFRm+ lung cancer now have a once-a-day pill regimen proven to increase their survival. The study’s findings also underscore the importance of comprehensive biomarker testing of tumors, so patients can receive the latest and most effective forms of treatment for their lung cancer.
What else we should know: The EGFRm+ target for treatment was discovered by a researcher whose pilot project was funded by LCRF. Dr. Matthew Meyerson and his lab were the pioneers in identifying and locating the EGFR mutation and its mechanism, allowing for the development of drugs to effectively treat this particular oncogenic driver of NSCLC. Osimertinib, first approved by the FDA in 2015 for the treatment of EGFR T790M mutation-positive NSCLC, is now the preferred initial treatment for patients with advanced EGFRm+ lung cancer. As a result of the ADAURA trial it is also approved for use in earlier stage EGFRm+ NSCLC after surgery. Despite the success of the trial, some questions still need answers. For example: Is chemotherapy after surgery necessary? What is the optimal length of treatment of osimertinib? Hopefully, future trials will answer these questions.
Patients, caregivers, and others interested in lung cancer research gathered at The Ven Embassy Row in Washington, DC to hear about treatment innovations and gain a better understanding of the science involved. LCRF Together DC offered an opportunity for the community to connect while learning about promising therapies for treating lung cancer.
Dr. Benjamin Levy, Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, and LCRF Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Antoinette Wozniak, had a lively discussion with the group and moderator Dr. Joan Schiller. Dr. Schiller is a member of LCRF’s board and the liaison for its Education & Engagement Committee, and Dr. Levy serves on the committee as well.
The panel addressed topical areas including as gene mutations, biomarker testing, liquid biopsies, personalized medicine, immunotherapy, and antibody drug conjugates. “Dr. Levy’s remarks about liquid biopsies especially seemed to capture the audience’s attention,” said Courtney Brandt, who directs LCRF’s educational programs. “A lot of us left the event thinking about his words: ‘the future is blood – blood is beautiful.”
See photos of the event and watch a few clips below.
Special thanks to our event sponsors for making this program possible! Genentech, a member of the Roche Group | Bristol Meyers-Squibb | Gilead Sciences, Inc. | Arcus Biosciences | AbbVie | Mirati Therapeutics
National Cancer Survivors Day® is a CELEBRATION of survivors, an INSPIRATION for those recently diagnosed, a gathering of SUPPORT for families, and an OUTREACH to the community. Today is a demonstration that life after a cancer diagnosis can be a reality.
Colleen Conner Ziegler is a LCRF Board member, a research advocate, and a patient with lung cancer. She shared her own cancer treatment story with Mediaplanet and offered advice for others to prioritize their lung health. Read more at this link.
“My treatment journey has been relatively smooth. I am still responding to my first line of treatment. I have not had radiation or traditional chemotherapy, which I did receive when I had breast cancer. I am on a TKI treatment which consists of taking eight pills a day. My scans have been stable although every once in awhile something will appear on my brain MRI. I do see a neuro-oncologist and I have been fortunate that these have resolved with my oral treatment or have been something other than a potential lesion.”
By making a gift today, you can directly fund researchers across the country who are moving the needle in eliminating lung cancer. Together, we can give hope to patients with lung cancer and their families by funding the research that will lead to better, more effective treatments.
More science means more survivors.
Celebrate National Cancer Survivors Day with a donation to support lung cancer research.
A beautiful, sunny day in Olathe, KS was more than a perfect setting for friends and family to get together. It was also an opportunity to promote lung cancer awareness by building white ribbons.
LCRF, The White Ribbon Project, and The University of Kansas Cancer Center drew more than 60 people to Heritage Park to paint and sign large, wooden white ribbons which will be distributed throughout the Kansas City area to individuals and organizations that wish to support lung cancer awareness. LCRF extends a big thank you to Michelle Hills from The White Ribbon Project and Sarah Bechard, University of Kansas Cancer Center, for their role in coordinating the day. Chris Draft, NFL Ambassador, co-founder of Team Draft, and board member for The White Ribbon Project, joined the activity and spoke with the group. Thanks is also due to Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, for sponsoring the event.
Ribbon-building is a powerful ways to build community, educate the public, and give a face to lung cancer. The White Ribbon Project promotes awareness about lung cancer by changing public perception of the disease. The White Ribbon Project will be joining LCRF on Saturday, septiembre 30 for the Kansas City Free to Breathe Walk at Longview Lake Park.
To learn more about The White Ribbon Project or request a ribbon, visit thewhiteribbonproject.org. Find out more about the Kansas City Free to Breathe Walk at LCRF.org/kansascity.
Michelle Hills & Sarah BechardBuilding the ribbonsChris Draft
Read The Medicine Maker‘s coverage of the development at this link.
“Research is LCRF’s entire reason for existing, and only research will cure lung cancer for good. The importance of this work can’t be overestimated. I’m eager to see the impact of our partnership – and the truly innovative work done in the labs we’ll support – that will improve outcomes for patients and families.”
– LCRF Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Antoinette Wozniak, to The Medicine Maker
LCRF announces new research collaboration with Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca
Groups request proposals for research grants focused on antibody drug conjugates (ADCs)
NEW YORK, NY (marzo 16, 2023) – The Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF) today announced a collaboration with Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca to fund up to three research grants focused on antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) to improve outcomes for people with lung cancer. Applications for these grants are being accepted through may 31, 2023.
Lung cancer is currently the number one cause of cancer death both in the U.S. and globally among both men and women, with more than 652 new diagnoses per day in the United States1. In many cases, lung cancer is not detected until it is in advanced stages of the disease, when the disease is more aggressive, and patients’ outcomes are significantly poorer than if the disease is treated early. Often, there is disease recurrence after initial treatment.
Unlike conventional chemotherapy treatments, ADCs are designed to specifically target cancer cells and selectively deliver a highly potent payload, which may limit damage to healthy cells. An ADC comprises a monoclonal antibody that recognizes a protein present on the cancer cells, and is bound to a cytotoxic agent, known as the payload. The use of ADCs is already common practice in several cancers, thanks to their efficacy and potentially more manageable toxicity profile, resulting from the release of the cytostatic payload directly in the tumors2. Currently, early phase trials of ADCs in non-small cell lung cancer are rapidly gaining ground, with promising results.
This collaboration seeks to support research to study HER2 directed and TROP2 directed ADCs including mechanism of action, biomarkers, and resistance mechanisms.
“LCRF is honored to continue its long legacy of identifying and supporting outstanding lung cancer research projects over the years. We are excited to collaborate with these generous supporters of our mission,” said Katerina Politi, PhD, Chair, LCRF Scientific Advisory Board. “The specific focus of this grant program is to further study ADCs and how they might be applied to lung cancer treatment. It is an exciting and promising area in lung cancer research.”
The LCRF – Daiichi Sankyo – AstraZeneca Research Grant on Antibody Drug Conjugates will develop further understanding of the mechanism of action and biomarkers for TROP2 directed ADCs in lung cancer and HER2 directed ADCs in HER2 mutant NSCLC and primary and acquired resistance to TROP2 directed and HER2 directed ADCs. The deadline to submit proposals for this two-year $270,000 award is midnight EDT on may 31, 2023. More details about this Request for Proposal, along with eligibility, requirements, and deadlines can be found at LCRF.org/funding.
To learn more about LCRF and its grants program, visit LCRF.org.
[2] Merle, Geoffrey MD∗; Friedlaender, Alex MD†; Desai, Aakash MD‡; Addeo, Alfredo MD∗. Antibody Drug Conjugates in Lung Cancer. The Cancer Journal 28(6):p 429-435, 11/12 2022. | DOI: 10.1097/PPO.0000000000000630
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About the Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF) The Lung Cancer Research Foundation® (LCRF) is the leading nonprofit organization focused on funding innovative, high-reward research with the potential to extend survival and improve quality of life for people with lung cancer. LCRF’s mission is to improve lung cancer outcomes by funding research for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure of lung cancer. To date, LCRF has funded 409 research grants, totaling more than $42 million, the highest amount provided by a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding lung cancer research. For more information, visit LCRF.org.
Dr. Narjust Florez, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Dr. Sydney Barned, a physician and patient with lung cancer, joined moderator Dr. Isabel Preeshagul on may 10 for a conversation on Women & Lung Cancer.
The topics inccluded risk factors, actionable prevention, and early detection steps to improve outcomes for women who are diagnosed with lung cancer, as well as the known differences seen in lung cancer between men and women. The presenters also discussed women’s sexuality and sexual health as it relates to the lung cancer journey. Watch the recording below.
