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Background:

An estimated 10–25% of lung cancers worldwide occur in people who have smoked fewer than 100 cigarettes in their lifetime – categorized as “never smokers.” Lung cancer in this group is more frequent in women, although this varies greatly by geographic region. Findings from the TRACERx study on pollution and lung cancer – funded in part by LCRF – were presented at the ESMO Congress last year, have undergone peer review, and were published last week.

The good news:

Scientists examined information from over 400,000 people from the UK and Asian countries, comparing rates of EGFR mutant lung cancer in areas with different levels of pollution. They found higher rates of EGFR mutant lung cancer, as well as higher rates of other types of cancer, in people living in areas with higher levels of pollution.  Since this is a lung cancer more common in non-smokers, it was felt that the pollution particles were causing the lung cancer.  By studying the effects of pollution in mice and human cells it is felt that inflammation from the pollution turns on the cancer process in cells that may already have some abnormalities but are asleep.

Why it’s significant:

This finding is important because previously, it was thought that the pollution itself causes changes in the DNA that result in cancer. Although this could still happen, this research suggests that it may be inflammation from the pollution that turns on the malignant process in cells that have some natural damage from aging or exposure to other substances.  

How this can impact patients:

This discovery may be important in how prevention of lung cancer is approached. Reducing inflammation through diet or medications may be used as a prevention strategy in the future.

What else you should know:

We are beginning to see that progress is being made regarding understanding how lung cancer develops. It is also important for governments to continue to try and control air pollution because of the negative impact it has on the health of the world’s population.

Read the abstract

Posted in Research, Science Made SimpleTagged
Jen and Matt with their children

By Matt Cipriani

Jen and I created an enviable life together. Together, we traveled the world, enjoyed professional success, and thrived as parents to our two young children. Then one night, after she finished a long shift as an anesthesiologist, a surgeon friend of hers insisted on giving her an X-ray to investigate a persistent cough. She certainly didn’t suspect that there was a tumor lurking in my lung, waiting to wreak havoc on our life. Jen never smoked and was 44.

On February 9, 2018, my wife, Dr. Jennifer Zannini-Cipriani was diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer.

Since Jen was a doctor, she knew what this diagnosis meant. She understood that, realistically, chronic disease and lifelong treatment would be her best case scenario. She knew that she needed to find a doctor who was willing to do absolutely everything possible to prolong her survival, treat this disease as aggressively as possible. We needed her to be here for many years and raise our children.

For us, nothing else mattered except being alive. If her chances could at all be increased by having the primary tumor removed, that’s what we’d do. She’d fight for her life, and she needed a team of doctors who’d see her will to live and her strength and determination to fight and be willing to fight right alongside her.

That brings us to the reason why we established Project Breathing Hope. Once we had exhausted all the stages of grief, Jen realized she had two choices: she could surrender and allow herself to keep spiraling down into a deep, dark hole of depression and hopelessness, or she could take positive, proactive steps that could hopefully make a difference for everyone who will suffer and die from this disease.

Learn more about Breathing Hope at this link.

So, she decided to make the unknown amount of time left as meaningful as possible. Jen knew that sharing her story would help others feel that they are not alone. Jen’s belief in science and modern medicine gave her hope and continues to myself hope as I work to support LCRF’s efforts in funding research. Jen was optimistic that the hard work of brilliant scientists and medical researchers will lead to the discovery of effective, long-lasting treatments.

Jen passed away just short of three years later after she was diagnosed. I continue to honor Jen’s memory by raising awareness while working to rewrite the future of lung cancer treatment through funding medical research.”

Matt talks about their journey in the video below.

Memories of Jen

Posted in People

March 30 is National Doctors’ Day, and we invited you to send thank you messages to the physicians who have made a difference in your life. Here are a few of the kudos you shared with your inspiring doctors!

Thank you to doctors everywhere who are using the results of lung cancer research to give their patients better, longer lives.

It’s never too late to support research in honor of your own doctor. Make your own tribute here.

To Dr. Narjust Florez, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
“You continue to lift me up with your support, cutting the miles that separate us ~ I can’t thank you enough. Keep being the amazing example of what compassionate oncology care with a fight looks like!”

To Dr. Jennifer Garst, Duke Cancer Center
“For Dr. Garst, who saw me as a person with a disease, not a number in an assembly line – and under whose care I have added significantly to my time here on earth. To her, I am forever grateful.”

To Dr. Joseph Treat, Fox Chase
“Thank you for all you do. Remission is a dream come true. I came to you for a second opinion, and I am forever thankful that I did. You saw where a different treatment was in order, and it is keeping me on the road to recovery.”

To Dr. Azadeh Namakydoust, Memorial Sloan Kettering
“Dr. Namakydoust: Forever grateful for the care, dedication and professionalism with which you treated my husband.”

To Dr. Debora Bruno, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center
“Your time, incredible organization, expertise and kindness matter to my family and I. We would be lost without you. Know that we have an incredible respect and trust in everything that you do. Your commitment is truly exceptional!”

To Dr. Catherine Shu
“Super grateful for the care you provide me and others facing lung cancer. I am privileged to be your patient!”

Posted in AwarenessTagged

Recently, AstraZeneca shared positive high-level results from two Phase III trials in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

  • The ADAURA Phase III trial demonstrated an improvement in overall survival (OS) compared to placebo in the adjuvant treatment of Tagrisso® (osimertinib) for patients with early-stage epidermal growth factor receptor-mutated (EGFRm) NSCLC. The ADAURA trial is the first trial to demonstrate a survival advantage for targeted therapy in this setting.
  • The AEGEAN Phase III, placebo-controlled trial for patients with resectable early-stage NSCLC showed that Imfinzi® (durvalumab) in combination with neoadjuvant chemotherapy before surgery and as adjuvant monotherapy after surgery demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in event-free survival (EFS) versus neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone followed by surgery. This means that patients may live longer without their disease progressing.

Below, LCRF’s Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Antoinette Wozniak, explains what these trial results mean.

ADAURA

The good news:
Patients with early stage (stages IB-IIIA) lung cancer with an EGFR mutation (EGFR exon 19 and 21, specifically) live longer if they are treated with osimertinib after surgical removal of the cancer. 

Why it’s important:
This is the first trial to demonstrate a survival benefit for adjuvant targeted therapy. 

The benefit to patients:
Patients with specific EGFR mutations whose lung cancer is removed live longer if treated with osimertinib after surgery.

What else we need to consider:
The trial represents a treatment advance, but there are still questions to answer. One of these unanswered questions is the length of treatment with osimertinib that is required for the maximum benefit. Another important question is whether these patients need chemotherapy as part of their treatment after surgery in addition to the osimertinib.

AEGEAN

The good news:
For earlier stage NSCLC, the combination of durvalumab (immunotherapy) and chemotherapy prior to surgery followed by durvalumab after surgery controls the cancer for a longer period of time when compared to treatment with chemotherapy alone.

Why it’s important:
The results of the trial support results seen in other similar trials utilizing neoadjuvant treatment with immunotherapy and chemotherapy.

The benefit to patients:
Patients who receive durvalumab and chemotherapy prior to surgery followed by durvalumab after surgery have better control of their disease.

What else we need to consider:
The results of the trial are promising for patients with early-stage NSCLC. However, we need to await the survival results to see if patients actually live longer because of this treatment. Other important factors to determine are the optimal length of treatment and which patients benefit the most.

Posted in Research, Science Made SimpleTagged ,

Of special interest:

Presentations at the IASLC Targeted Therapies in Lung Cancer meeting typically include something about novel agents currently being evaluated. These agents can be new and improved drugs targeting oncogene-driven lung cancer or novel immunotherapy agents. This year, an entire session focused on antibody drug conjugates. ADCs are particularly of interest because of their unique mechanism of action and the recent approval of trastuzumab deruxtecan in the treatment of advanced previously-treated HER2 mutated NSCLC. Other important discussion centered around the treatment of earlier stage lung cancer, which involved results with neoadjuvant therapy prior to surgery and the use of biomarkers to help determine how long to treat patients. This development is important because there is a better chance for cure if patients can be treated effectively at an earlier stage.

Why this is significant:

The fact that there is so much clinical research activity and discovery in the treatment of lung cancer has to mean better outcomes for patients in the future. Presenters also emphasized managing toxicities associated with treatment, which can only mean a better quality of life for patients undergoing lung cancer treatment. A focus on treating cancer in the earlier stages could also mean a better chance for a cure.

What’s on the horizon:

We should expect a number of things to develop in the future. We will see results from clinical trials evaluating novel agents with the hope that they will be more effective than the drugs that are currently in common use. The science community has a great interest in developing biomarkers that will guide physicians in the treatment of patients. These biomarkers could help determine the best treatment and also how long patients should be treated. This information would be incredibly beneficial as a tool to individualize patient treatment.

Posted in Research, Science Made SimpleTagged , ,

Bill Mancini wants to knock out lung cancer! He is one of 32 courageous fighters from the Philly area who will step into the ring on April 27 to compete in their first amateur boxing match. It’s all part of the inaugural Liberty Bell Brawl charity boxing event at the Fillmore Auditorium in Philadelphia. Each boxer is fundraising for a cancer charity, and Bill’s goal is to raise $50,000 for LCRF to support lung cancer research!

Buy tickets (code: MANCINI)
Make a separate donation

“I’m fighting for a few individuals, most importantly – my Uncle Don who passed away from Lung Cancer in 2013.  My Uncle was a pivotal member of my large family, and he is missed every day.  He had a personality larger than life in which everyone gravitated towards.  When I was a teenager, he played a large role in my life supporting me through life’s obstacles and has inspired me to become the man that I am today! I know he will be in my corner on fight night, and I hope the LCRF community will come out to support my fight as all ticket sales go towards my fundraising efforts.”

Bill Mancini

Buy tickets here with promo code: MANCINI. All ticket sales will go towards Bill’s fundraising goal. If you can’t attend, you can still donate at this link.

Thank you, Bill, for your passion and support towards funding lung cancer research!

Posted in Fundraise Your WayTagged

Lung cancer research grant mechanisms open for submission

NEW YORK, NY (February 9, 2023) – The Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF) announced today that its 2023 funding mechanisms are now open for submission.  

Following an unprecedented number of research grants awarded in a single grant cycle in 2022, LCRF has opened its 2023 Requests for Proposals, aimed at furthering its commitment to funding investigators who are dedicated to finding solutions to the most pressing issues in lung cancer, including: early detection, gaining new insights into lung cancer biology, understanding mechanisms of and finding new approaches to overcome and/or prevent drug resistance, and uncovering novel and innovative approaches to the treatment of lung cancer. The organization also aims to address inequities in the careers of investigators from underrepresented groups in cancer research.

“We are pleased to be announcing this year’s Requests for Proposals,” said Katerina Politi, PhD, Chair of LCRF’s Scientific Advisory Board, Cancer Biologist and Associate Professor at Yale’s School of Medicine. “LCRF’s unwavering commitment to funding projects that invite innovation and new ideas to address lung cancer, understand treatment resistance, tackle disparities, increase the diversity of the lung cancer research workforce and support science that seeks solutions to lung cancer’s most vexing questions is reflected in the grant mechanisms this year. LCRF’s entire Scientific Advisory Board looks forward to its review of the many proposals we will receive.”

“The LCRF Scientific Executive Committee (SEC) has made a concerted effort to develop a research roadmap that puts the patient with lung cancer at the center,” remarked Colleen Conner Ziegler, lung cancer survivor, LCRF board member and member of LCRF’s SEC. “By investing in projects that hold the promise of impact in the near term as well as the long term, we can accelerate the pace of research that will increase survivorship for people who are living with lung cancer today, giving them the gift of time.”

The LCRF Leading-Edge Research Grant, previously known as the LCRF Pilot Grants, seeks to fund innovative projects across the full spectrum of basic, translational, clinical, epidemiological, health services, early detection, disparities, and social determinants of health research. This funding mechanism seeks novel ideas, approaches, methods, and techniques that promise to have a profound impact on lung cancer patients and their treatment teams.

LCRF’s Research Grant on Early Detection and Pre-Neoplasia in Lung Cancer is focused on identifying, characterizing, and developing approaches that will detect lung cancer at the earliest stages. Given the significance and need for early detection of lung cancer and advancements in screening, this funding mechanism aims to support research projects that facilitate or advance the understanding and characterization of pre-neoplasia or approaches for early detection, in non-small cell and small cell lung cancer.

The LCRF Research Grant on Understanding Resistance in Lung Cancer will focus on understanding resistance and support research projects with an emphasis on characterizing, identifying, treating, overcoming, or preventing resistance to therapies in lung tumor cells, tissues, mouse models, or patients. This mechanism will address important mechanistic questions and developmental therapeutics across the care continuum and have the potential to increase survivorship.

LCRF’s Minority Career Development Award (CDA) for Lung Cancer is a two-year career development award intended to support early-stage scientists from underrepresented groups working in lung cancer in diverse areas of research including basic, clinical, translational, disparities, and social determinants of health research. The objective of this award is to increase the number of highly skilled and trained researchers from groups that are historically underrepresented in academia, medicine, and leadership in lung cancer research. This program aims to increase representation of investigators from these groups in lung cancer research.

Each of these funding mechanisms will award $150,000 over two years for selected projects, and all mechanisms except the LCRF Minority Career Development Award will be reviewed through a two-step process: Letters of Intent will be accepted until midnight on March 10, 2023; if selected, investigators will then be chosen to submit full proposals following a rigorous scientific review. The LCRF Minority Career Development Award will require full proposal submission and that deadline is midnight, May 31, 2023. More details about each of the Requests for Proposal, along with eligibility, requirements, and deadlines can be found at LCRF.org/funding.

# # #

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 about the LCRF grant program and funding opportunities, visit LCRF.org/research.

Contact:

LUNG CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION
Sheila Sullivan
Sr. Director, Marketing & Communications
ssullivan@lcrf.org

Posted in Announcements, GrantsTagged

LCRF has doubled down on its strategic plan to triple its research investments by 2024. Here are some of the latest developments:

New Chief Scientific Officer

LCRF has brought on its first-ever Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Antoinette Wozniak, whose tenure begins on February 1, 2023. Dr. Wozniak will work with LCRF’s Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), senior leadership, and strategic advisors to design and execute a strategic scientific plan that fulfills LCRF’s mission. Her role will be a critical component of defining the organization’s research priorities. In addition, she will lead building and cultivation of stakeholder alliances with academic, industry, nonprofit and government entities, as well as manage LCRF’s growing grant and investment portfolio.

Scientific Executive Committee

In 2022, LCRF’s SAB formed its Scientific Executive Committee (SEC), which convened to develop its Research Roadmap to guide research investments for 2023 and the future. In doing so, SEC members determined that to truly accelerate lung cancer research, LCRF needs to expand its Requests for Proposals to include research that is more innovative and out-of-the-box: research that is broader in its approach to pressing issues such as treatment resistance for all lung cancer types, and research that will speed findings from the bench to the bedside. In addition, the SEC acknowledged that while LCRF will continue to support early-career investigators, enabling innovative research requires expanding its funding mechanisms to more experienced researchers as well as more collaborative research team efforts.

Research Roadmap

The broadened approach to research awards underlines some of the key initiatives in LCRF’s newly developed Research Roadmap:

  • Integrating patients into all aspects of research programs. Patients are represented on both the SAB and SEC.
  • Investing in novel, innovative research including early detection and understanding resistance.
  • Continuing support for minority investigators.
  • Expanding our portfolio to include more translational work and established investigators.

LCRF’s funding mechanisms for 2023 include:

  • LCRF Leading-Edge Research Grant
  • LCRF Research Grant for Early Detection and Pre-Neoplasia in Lung Cancer
  • LCRF Research Grant for Understanding Resistance in Lung Cancer
  • LCRF Minority Career Development Award

Under the leadership of Dr. Wozniak, the SAB, and the SEC, LCRF is well equipped to fund research with the potential for significant impact on patient survival, particularly in translational research.

Posted in ResearchTagged