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, September 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 (March 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.
A group of LCRF supporters and staff members were treated to a lab tour and presentation at Northwestern University’s Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center / Feinberg School of Medicine this week.
Leading the tour were Jyoti Patel, MD, who serves on LCRF’s Education + Engagement Committee; Lillian Eichner, PhD; Lu Wang, PhD; 2019 LCRF grantee Nisha Mohindra, MD; and 2013 & 2014 LCRF grantee Mohamed Abazeed, MD, PhD.
Guests and members of LCRF’s staff were treated to lab tours, a brief overview of LCRF-funded research by Northwestern scientists, and a panel of researchers answering attendees’ questions.
Dr. Leon Patanias and Dr. Patel opened the session by thanking all the attendees for their support and emphasizing how it takes partnership between scientists, physicians, and philanthropists to tackle the very difficult task of combating lung cancer. The advances made in lung cancer treatments in the last 15 years have been exponential – just 15 years ago, immunotherapy was an idea that they weren’t sure would work, and now it is standard of care for some lung cancer patients. The advancement of technology has allowed for faster, more efficient data analysis and the ability to use computational models to test hypotheses. Because of the unique collaborations between scientists, patients, advocacy groups, academia and philanthropists, survivorship has increased, toxicity has decreased, and prevention is a real possibility in lung cancer.
Science in action
The attendees then broke into two groups to visit two labs: Dr. Wang’s lab, where the focus is on understanding the genetic and epigenetic makeup of small cell lung cancer; and Dr. Eichner’s lab, where the focus is on LKB1 (STK11) which is among the most frequently mutated genes in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), where it is inactivated in ~20% of cases.
Dr. Wang’s lab has recently identified several subtypes of small cell lung cancer, with 347 essential factors that drive this cancer. They have recently discovered, and named, a new gene driving small cell lung cancer and they are now working to better understand its function in the disease. Small cell lung cancer is particularly challenging because its epigenetic makeup shifts in response to whatever treatment the patient is receiving to bypass its effects, making it more difficult to treat. It is also more difficult to detect early, more aggressive and tissue samples are typically too small to test extensively. Stigma plays a large part in obtaining research funding, as 98% of all small cell lung cancers are directly attributed to tobacco use. While Dr. Wang’s lab has made incredible strides in identifying and understanding the many facets of small cell lung cancer, this is still a huge area of unmet need in research.
Research presentation
The group then convened for a research presentation by Dr. Mohindra about her work in developing the Patient Level Learning Health System, that coordinates the patient’s treatment regimen with their needs, their experiences, and their feedback and integrates it directly into their medical record where their care team is able to access, address and improve the patient experience. It is an online system that allows patients to see what they are able to self-manage versus what they may need to bring to their doctor.
Dr. Abazeed shared his experiences as a researcher and clinician, bridging the gap through collaboration between basic and translational science. He, too, emphasized the importance of developing resources and tools that remove the “noise” and allow for the researchers to hone in on the findings that will actually have impact for patients in the clinic.
Following the presentations, Drs. Eichner, Wang, Abazeed and Mohindra led a general question and answer session, largely around what the researchers see as the most exciting advancements in lung cancer. Dr. Eichner put it best when she said, “Based on the trajectory of advancements over the last decade, tomorrow is going to be exponentially ahead of yesterday.”
Watch our calendar for future opportunities to see research in action.
Here are some scenes from the event. (Click to enlarge.)
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) recently announced its Pragmatica-Lung Study (or S2302) is now enrolling patients. This is one of the first NCI-supported clinical trials to use a trial design that removes many of the barriers that prevent people from joining clinical trials. This “pragmatic” approach aims to increase accessibility to clinical trials.
How it works:
The Pragmatica-Lung Study is a large lung cancer trial for patients with non-small cell lung cancer that has returned after previous treatment with immunotherapy and chemotherapy. Patients will be randomly selected to receive pembrolizumab (immunotherapy) and ramucirumab (anti-angiogenesis drug) or standard chemotherapy. This trial may help doctors find out if giving ramucirumab with pembrolizumab is more effective at treating patients with recurrent non-small cell lung cancer than standard chemotherapy.
Why it’s important:
It has a simpler design so that more patients can participate, and more oncologists can offer the trial to their patients; particularly those who are not affiliated with large academic institutions. This will increase the diversity of trial participants.
What it means for patients:
By increasing trial participation, especially among populations normally excluded from clinical trials, results of trials will be more reflective of the actual disease community and improve health equity.
Dr. Devika Das joined moderator Dr. Isabel Preeshagul on April 26 to highlight barriers and disparities seen in clinical trials and biomarker testing, how we as a community can address them, and ways patients can advocate for themselves. Watch the recording below.
I had a slight cough that wouldn’t go away, and I could not do my normal workout on the StairMaster.
I went to my doctor to see if I was well enough to get vaccinations for a hiking trip to Patagonia. Although my lungs sounded fine, she sent me for a chest X-ray followed the next day by a CT scan. After she saw my scan, she immediately scheduled an appointment with a pulmonologist who cleared her schedule and did a bronchoscopy the next day. Everyone was dressed in “space suits” because they thought my scan might have shown tuberculosis! A week later I had a lung wedge resection. Two weeks later I got the news… NSCLC with EGFR+ Stage 4! I believe that, because I had none of the risk factors and I took good care of myself physically, everyone made the extra effort to get a quick diagnosis.
Gerri and her husband at Mt. Snaefell in Iceland, 2017
My life was suddenly turned upside down! For years, my husband and I had wanted to go to Patagonia, and now we might not be able to go. It was all a total shock! I was the last person anyone would expect to have lung cancer. I am an athlete. a tennis professional, hiker, kayaker, cross country skier, wife, mother, and grandmother.
My daughter was visiting us when I received the diagnosis. I told her I got the best news possible (EGFR+), and she burst into tears. She asked why I was pretending everything was OK when it wasn’t. I told her I have a choice … I have been dealt this hand. I can accept it and go on living my life, or I can be miserable and angry that I have cancer. She told me how inspiring that message was for her. A few years later, she followed my example when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
The people who supported me
My husband has been my rock. He says we’ll get through this TOGETHER. He challenges me to do things out of my comfort zone and is incredibly patient when we hike… even carrying my pack uphill if we’re on a long hike! He is my “personal assistant” which includes planning our next adventures. We walk every day for about three miles with elevation so we can enjoy our frequent hikes in the Oregon and Washington Cascades or in places further away.
New Zealand, 2020
Since my diagnosis, we have had hiking adventures in Patagonia, the Tetons, all five Utah National Parks, the North Island of New Zealand, and Hornstrandir Nature Preserve in Iceland (which was a REAL adventure)! We went with an Icelandic group, hiked 13.5 difficult miles one day, and were totally immersed in Icelandic culture. Two years after my diagnosis, we did our last 13.5 mile hike on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in New Zealand. We realize we will not be able to do anything quite that ambitious again, but we do have hiking trips planned to Newfoundland, the South Island of New Zealand, and Tasmania.
My oncologist has been very supportive, encouraging me to go on these adventures and to continue living my life.
After my diagnosis, my tennis manager, students, and teams understood my priorities had changed. They encouraged me to do things for ME, without worrying about them every week.
Maintaining hope
Soon after my diagnosis, I talked with the social worker/palliative care professional in my oncologist’s office. She helped me develop strategies for maintaining hope and for coping. She encouraged me to work toward goals, to be creative, and to plan activities… in other words, to LIVE! I started quilting again and have donated almost 20 lap quilts to nursing homes, outreach programs, and senior centers. This gives me a sense of purpose as well as using up my huge fabric stash!
My social worker also suggested I do some form of meditation. I have always considered my hiking, kayaking, and cross country skiing to be meditative because of the repetitive movements and the healing time spent in Nature. I took her suggestion and added a form of qigong (Shibashi) that fits my personality and helps me to be more in tune with myself through breathing, visualization, and movement.
Mt. Jefferson in Oregon, 2020
I have found hope in the stories of survivors in the lung cancer community. Many of these stories come from you. The first story that inspired me, though, was in the New York Times in January, 2018. It was titled: “When the Lung Cancer Patient Climbs Mountains.” I thought, if he can hike in Nepal, I can certainly hike in Patagonia! And I DID! Five weeks after starting targeted therapy, I hiked 90 miles there!
I also read the informative newsletter from EGFR Resisters and watch videos of some of the topics covered. I am hopeful because we are learning so much through new research. I am grateful for those who are so good at raising funds for this research.
I have participated in two LCRF Free to Breathe Walks with a friend. I also enjoy watching the #TogetherSeparately meetings on Zoom. I find them educational and inspirational. They also help me to feel more a part of the lung cancer community, which is especially important since I am not on social media.
For those with a new diagnosis
I would tell someone just starting treatment:
Lung cancer does not define you… you are much more than that!
Keep up your fitness level… it will help you in so many ways!
Make a bucket list and start on it NOW… make plans so you have a goal or something to look forward to. (I am on my second bucket list!)
Do something that nourishes your soul… hiking, music, sewing, art, teaching, etc.
Do not hesitate to ask for palliative care early in your treatment… it will help you lead your best life.
Control what you can control… and control your reactions to everything else.
I have been extremely fortunate to have a very supportive family, a great oncologist, really good health insurance, and the ability to travel. I am also grateful for all of the advocacy and research in lung cancer that has given hope to so many of us.
