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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.

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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 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

The good news:

The FDA recently granted accelerated approved for adagrasib (Krazati, Mirati Therapeutics, Inc.) for people with metastatic or locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), whose tumors contained a KRAS G12C mutation, and whose tumor was growing despite having had prior therapy. In a recent clinical study, 42.9% of people with a KRAS G12C mutation NSCLC responded to the drug.

Why it’s significant:

KRAS is the most frequently mutated oncogene (cancer-causing gene) in human cancer. Approximately 25% of people with NSCLC will have a mutation in KRAS. People with colorectal, pancreatic, and bile duct cancers also have KRAS mutations, but not as high a frequency as NSCLC. There are several different types of KRAS mutations, but mutations in KRAS G12C are the most common, occurring in about 14% of people with adenocarcinomas of the lung and in 0.5-4% of people with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung.

What else you should know:

Another drug (sotorasib) was approved last year for people with KRAS G12C mutated tumors. Both drugs are oral and have similar side effects, but adagrasib tends to last longer in the body. It is unknown which of the two is more effective, since they never have been directly compared.

Read more
Posted in FDA News, Research, Science Made SimpleTagged

Tommy McNamara, midfielder for pro soccer team, the New England Revolution, held a Lung Cancer Awareness Month fundraiser to benefit lung cancer research. His mom, Kerry McNamara, was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer just over one year ago.

His online auction featured signed memorabilia from Tommy’s Revolution teammates, the New England Patriots, and from his friends throughout Major League Soccer; as well as game tickets and an opportunity to meet the team at a training session.

Read the team’s press release about the auction here.

Watch him tell about his family’s journey:

Posted in Fundraising, PeopleTagged ,

Watch a special year-end message from Dennis Chillemi, LCRF Executive Director.

A very special thank you to YOU – for getting involved, raising awareness, and donating towards research that changes lives. Happy holidays!

Posted in Executive Director Updates

December 2022

Maureen found out quite by accident that she had lung cancer. She had a CT scan after an infection, and a spot showed up on her lung. She was told to follow up in six months, in May 2015, and that’s when she was diagnosed with Stage 1 non-small cell lung cancer.

In July 2021 she had surgery because the cancer had progressed. Then in December 2021, she had radiation therapy and was given news that gutted her.

“I was told I had Stage 4 lung cancer. My father, my uncle, and my aunt all died within six to nine months of learning they had Stage 4,” she said. “I truly thought my life was over.”

Maureen’s cancer was found to have the KRAS mutation. She became involved with several lung cancer organizations including LCRF and KRAS Kickers, which partnered to fund KRAS specific research. Maureen was further inspired by a social media post asking for support of the Lung Cancer Research Program in the Fiscal Year 2023 Department of Defense appropriations bill.

“I saw how little was given to lung cancer research. I got involved, sending emails to my senators and attending a Zoom meeting.”

In October, her team walked over the Brooklyn Bridge as part of the Free to Breathe Walk in New York City. “What better way to raise money and awareness?” she said.

Too busy for cancer

Maureen now says that she doesn’t have time for lung cancer. “I have too much to do! My husband Peter and I are retired after each serving the public for 33 years – Peter as a member of the FDNY and me as a registered nurse at Lenox Hill,” she explained.

“I have always told my three girls that I would be their private nurse when they have their babies. They are the VIP patients I have been waiting for my whole career. I have hope today that I will be in the delivery room with them, and for many years afterwards.”

Donate and help others like Maureen
Posted in Journeys, People, Women & Lung CancerTagged ,

Groups Award Two Grants for ALK-positive Lung Cancer Research

NEW YORK, NY (December 22, 2022) – The Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF) and ALK Positive Inc. (ALK Positive) announce funding of two ALK-positive related lung cancer projects. These grants, totaling $500,000, are awarded to researchers whose projects are focused upon transforming care and improving outcomes for patients with ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

“This is an exciting time for ALK-positive scientific research. Through this partnership with LCRF, we have leveraged their rigorous selection process and access to experts to help us select and support the research most likely to save the lives of patients and improve their quality of life,” says Dr. Emily Venanzi, ALK-positive patient/survivor since 2017, and ALK Positive’s representative for this research partnership. “These awards bring the total research grants our organization has helped select and fund to almost $5,000,000. The members and supporters of ALK Positive and LCRF have made amazing efforts to raise funds for this award program. Currently, there is no known cure for this type of cancer in its advanced stage. We look forward to following these investigators as they pursue their projects.”

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangements were first detected in NSCLC in 2007, occur in about 5% of lung cancers, and also occur in many other cancer types. ALK-activating DNA rearrangements result in a fusion protein that drives the development of ALK-positive cancer. ALK-rearranged lung cancer is significantly more common in young patients than other types of lung cancer. Overall, the median age for lung cancer diagnoses is 70. In contrast, half of ALK-positive lung cancer patients are diagnosed before age 50, and nearly one-third are diagnosed before age 40. ALK-positive lung cancers also occur in patients under the age of 30, and the majority of ALK-positive lung cancers at any age occur in patients with little or no smoking history.

Research, clinical trials, and improved molecular profiling have accelerated precision medicine approaches for treating NSCLC. The FDA has approved a number of therapies targeting various molecular subsets of NSCLC. ALK-specific NSCLC therapies now include crizotinib, ceritinib, alectinib, brigatinib, and lorlatinib, with each new generation of therapy demonstrating improved efficacy and durability in controlling the disease. While ALK-positive targeted therapies can produce durable responses, almost all ALK-positive NSCLC patients eventually develop resistance to all existing therapies.

“We are delighted to be funding innovative science in partnership with ALK Positive,” remarked Dennis Chillemi, Executive Director of LCRF. “It is our hope that these awards accelerate ALK-positive therapeutics and uncover the next line of treatment options, so patients with this specific mutation have more options for positive outcomes.”

The 2022 ALK Positive/Lung Cancer Research Award recipients include:

Jaime Schneider, MD, PhD
Massachusetts General Hospital
Metabolic reprogramming as a driver of resistance in ALK+ lung cancer

Álvaro Quintanal Villalonga, PhD
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Identifying epigenomic mechanisms of ALK TKI resistance

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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 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 to support research 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 help achieve its mission. 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.

Posted in Announcements, Grants, ResearchTagged , ,

In Second Year of Partnership, Groups Select and Fund Three Projects

NEW YORK, NY (December 8, 2022) – The Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF) and the EGFR Resisters, in their second year of a research award partnership, announce the 2022 grant recipients. As part of LCRF’s Research Grants on Oncogenic Drivers in Lung Cancer awards, each project receives $150,000 for two years, a total of $450,000 of funding.

The EGFR Resisters and its members recognize the urgent need for additional research to improve outcomes for patients living with EGFR-mutated lung cancer. By partnering with LCRF in 2022 to select and fund three projects focused on EGFR-mutated lung cancer, the EGFR Resisters is representing the critical needs of its community of patients and caregivers.

“The strength and passion of our motivated and active community of patients and caregivers allow us to directly impact research in EGFR positive lung cancer,” remarked Ivy Elkins, co-founder of the EGFR Resisters. “We will be closely following the progress of these projects.”

“Patient led and funded research addresses specific unmet needs of patients,” says Jill Feldman, also co-founder of the EGFR Resisters. “Patients can provide unique input that will drive research that is important and meaningful to our community.”

2022 LCRF – EGFR Resisters grant recipients include:

Swarnali Acharyya, PhD – EGFR Resisters grant and James B. Dougherty Award* recipient
Columbia University Medical Center
Drugging the S100A9-Retinoic acid pathway: companion biomarker and therapy
This project aims to study a new pathway as a new target that when inhibited, could prevent and treat brain metastases. The potential benefit could also extend to patients with leptomeningeal disease.

*The James B. Dougherty, MD Award for Scientific Merit is presented to the investigator whose proposal was selected for outstanding overall merit by LCRF’s Scientific Advisory Board.

Luke Hoeppner, PhD – EGFR Resisters grant recipient
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Predictive biomarkers and new therapeutic strategies to prevent EGFR TKI-refractory lung cancer progression
This project is attempting to understand how lung cancer cells evade EGFR-targeted therapy and develop new innovative therapies to predict and prevent the emergence of resistance and disease progression.

Jonathan Ostrem, MD, PhD – Exon 20 Group & EGFR Resisters grant recipient
University of California, San Francisco
Enhancing the precision of targeted therapies for EGFR-mutant lung cancer
The goal of this research is to develop a new therapy for EGFR-mutant lung cancer that would enhance effective cancer killing activity while limiting toxicity to healthy tissue in the body. The initial focus will be on EGFR exon 20 tumors but eventually could be applied to other targeted therapies.

“The Exon 20 Group is thrilled to be co-funding, with the EGFR Resisters and LCRF, Dr. Jonathan Ostrem’s important targeted therapies project, as his novel approach will fill an important gap in exon 20-directed research,” remarks Robert T. Hanlon, PhD, chair and co-founder, the Exon 20 Group at ICAN, International Cancer Advocacy Network.

“The EGFR Resisters have been a guiding force behind patient-led research,” remarked Dennis Chillemi, Executive Director of LCRF. “This will speed the advancement of research, directly impacting survival of patients with lung cancer. LCRF is honored to be a partner with the EGFR Resisters in funding these projects.”

The EGFR Resisters funded one of LCRF’s 2021 Pilot Grants, awarded to Yang Tian, PhD, from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, whose research project is titled “Targeting lung lineage plasticity to suppress Osimertinib-induced drug-tolerant persisters.”  Although there has been an increase in progression-free survival in patients with EGFR-mutated lung cancer due to targeted therapy with EGFR TKIs (Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors, commonly known as TKIs), the cancer eventually develops acquired resistance. Much more research is needed in this area. The EGFR Resisters have funded a total of four research grants in partnership with LCRF to date. To learn more, visit LCRF.org/research.

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

About the EGFR Resisters

Founded in 2017 by six patients and one caregiver, the EGFR Resisters is a grassroots, patient-driven community of patients and caregivers living with and/or personally affected by EGFR positive lung cancer. The group has a closed Facebook group for members to connect and share best practices, and it communicates with the broader EGFR community through a website, monthly newsletter, and social media. With over 4,000 members in more than 90 countries, the EGFR Resisters aims to improve outcomes for all those with EGFR positive lung cancer by supporting patients and caregivers, increasing awareness and education for community members, improving access to effective diagnosis and treatment, and accelerating and funding research. The mission of the EGFR Resisters is to understand the unmet needs of the community and to use the strength of collaboration to drive important research questions and fund novel research and clinical trials. For more information about the EGFR Resisters, please visit https://egfrcancer.org.

Contact:

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

EGFR Resisters
Laura Book
Media Contact
egfrresisters@gmail.com

Posted in Announcements, Grants, Partnerships, ResearchTagged ,

Foundation announces 2022 Scientific Research Grant Awards 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
NEW YORK, December 6, 2022  

The Lung Cancer Research Foundation® (LCRF) is pleased to announce the awardees of its 2022 Scientific Grant Program. This years’ grant cycle includes three new areas of funding in addition to its pilot grants: LCRF Research Grant on Early Detection and Pre-Neoplasia in Lung Cancer, LCRF Research Grants on Oncogenic Drivers in Lung Cancer in partnership with several patient-led oncogene groups, and the newly launched LCRF Minority Career Development Award (CDA) for Lung Cancer. In partnership with ALK Positive, a separate request for proposals was introduced for the 2022 funding cycle.  

LCRF awarded $2.45 million dollars in research grants, the largest single year research investment in its history, to 15 investigators whose projects show promise to make a sustained and lasting impact on the field of lung cancer research and lung cancer outcomes. These grants are made possible, in part, by support from Bristol Myers Squibb, the Thomas G. Labrecque Foundation, the Hearst Foundation, LRE Foundation, AstraZeneca, ALK Positive, the EGFR Resisters, the Exon 20 Group at ICAN, International Cancer Advocacy Network, KRAS Kickers, MET Crusaders, and donations from LCRF’s many supporters. 

“It is always exciting to extend grant funding to these dedicated investigators,” said Reina Honts, Chair of LCRF’s Board of Directors. “It is through these research grants that LCRF can have the most impact on lung cancer community. Supporting researchers whose projects address the most pressing issues in lung cancer continues LCRF’s commitment to advancing research and puts us squarely on the path to LCRF’s vision of a world without lung cancer.” 

“By funding projects that explore a broad range of challenging questions in lung cancer and by increasing the diversity of the lung cancer research workforce, we’re supporting science that seeks solutions to lung cancer’s most vexing problems,” said Katerina Politi, PhD, Chair of LCRF’s Scientific Advisory Board, Cancer Biologist and Associate Professor at Yale’s School of Medicine. “It is the work of these investigators that moves the science forward in ways that lead to significant breakthroughs.” 

Partnerships enable additional areas of study

Through its annual Pilot Grant Program, LCRF funds innovative research focused on the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure of lung cancer. This year, LCRF will be funding two projects through this mechanism.  

LCRF’s Minority Career Development Award for Lung Cancer, a two-year award to support early-stage scientists from underrepresented groups, is supported in part by a grant from Bristol Myers Squibb and the Hearst Foundation. This year, LCRF will be funding two projects in this area that will increase representation of investigators from underrepresented groups in lung cancer. 

LCRF’s Research Grant on Early Detection and Pre-Neoplasia in Lung Cancer is presented to two recipients whose projects 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 Grants on Oncogenic Drivers in Lung Cancer, led and funded in partnership with patient advocacy groups EGFR Resisters, KRAS Kickers and MET Crusaders, are presented to seven recipients: three focusing on EGFR oncogenic driver mutations, three in MET alterations, and one KRAS-focused project.  

The ALK Positive/Lung Cancer Research Award, a two-year, $250,000 grant has been awarded to two recipients whose projects will focus on the study of ALK positive lung cancer. These awards are presented in partnership between ALK Positive and LCRF.  

“Patient led and funded research can uniquely address the specific unmet needs of patients,” says Jill Feldman, co-founder of the EGFR Resisters. Ivy Elkins, also a co-founder of the EGFR Resisters, echoes those sentiments. “The strength of our community of patients and the funds they’ve raised is reflected in the projects being funded through our partnership with LCRF,” Ms. Elkins added. 

“The Exon 20 Group is thrilled to be co-funding, with the EGFR Resisters and LCRF, Dr. Jonathan Ostrem’s important targeted therapies project, as his novel approach will fill an important gap in exon 20-directed research,” remarks Robert T. Hanlon, PhD, chair and co-founder, the Exon 20 Group at ICAN, International Cancer Advocacy Network. 

“Partnering with LCRF allows us to leverage their expertise in funding innovative research to fulfill the MET Crusader’s mission of helping people with MET mutations live longer and better lives,” said John Hallick, president of the MET Crusaders. “The research we fund today will bring a better tomorrow.” 

“We’re hopeful that this research will help uncover more treatment options for people with a KRAS mutation,” said Terri Conneran, who leads KRAS Kickers. “More research means greater survival.” 

Special awards recognize exemplary projects

Each year, LCRF recognizes exemplary projects through its James B. Dougherty, MD Award and its William C. Rippe Award for Distinguished Research in Lung Cancer, in honor of the contributions to LCRF made by these esteemed former board members. 

The James B. Dougherty, MD Award for Scientific Merit is presented to the investigator whose proposal was selected for outstanding overall merit by the Foundation’s Scientific Advisory Board. This year’s recipient is Swarnali Acharyya, PhD of Columbia University Medical Center, whose project is titled Drugging the S100A9-Retinoic acid pathway: companion biomarker and therapy. 

“I’m truly excited and honored to receive this James B. Dougherty, MD Award for Scientific Merit,” said Dr. Acharyya. “This award will enable us to focus on novel treatments for EGFR-therapy-resistant brain metastasis. I am grateful for the support of the LCRF that will help us take on this challenge.” 

LCRF’s William C. Rippe Award for Distinguished Research in Lung Cancer is presented to the investigator whose proposal not only demonstrated exceptional scientific merit but also exemplified an enduring commitment to making an impact in the field of lung cancer research. This year’s recipient is Emiliano Cocco, PhD from the University of Miami, whose project is titled Exploring novel therapeutic options to target MET-driven lung cancers.

“I am honored to receive the William C. Rippe Award for Distinguished Research in Lung Cancer from the Lung Cancer Research Foundation,” said Dr. Cocco.  

The 2022 Pilot Grant Program award recipients include: 

Huanhuan Chen, PharmD, PhD 
The University of Chicago  
A human pluripotent stem cell-based approach to metastasis of small cell lung cancer 

Bingnan Zhang , MD 
University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center  
Harnessing DLL3 as a CAR T target in small cell lung cancer 

The 2022 Minority Career Development Award recipients include: 

Amanda Iris Bradley, PhD 
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center 
Discovering genetic factors of met exon skipping and drug resistance in lung cancer 

Carla Concepcion, PhD 
Columbia University Irving Medical Center
Targeting SMARCA4-deficient lung cancers 

The 2022 Research Grant on Early Detection and Pre-Neoplasia in Lung Cancer award recipients include: 

Mohammad Shahrokh Esfahani, PhD 
Stanford University 
Noninvasive prediction of local recurrence in localized NSCLCs after CRT 

Tim Lautenschlaeger, MD 
Indiana University 
24-hour urine based ctDNA analysis for early-stage NSCLC detection 

The 2022 Research Grants on Oncogenic Drivers in Lung Cancer award recipients include: 

Swarnali Acharyya, PhD – EGFR Resisters grant recipient 
James B. Dougherty Award recipient
Columbia University Medical Center 
Drugging the S100A9-Retinoic acid pathway: companion biomarker and therapy 

Luke Hoeppner, PhD – EGFR Resisters grant recipient 
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities 
Predictive biomarkers and new therapeutic strategies to prevent EGFR TKI-refractory lung cancer progression 

Jonathan Ostrem, MD, PhD – Exon 20 Group & EGFR Resisters grant recipient 
University of California, San Francisco 
Enhancing the precision of targeted therapies for EGFR-mutant lung cancer 

Timothy F. Burns, MD, PhD – MET Crusaders grant recipient 
University of Pittsburgh 
Targeting glycolysis in met altered lung cancer brain metastases 

Emiliano Cocco, PhD –  MET Crusaders grant recipient
William C. Rippe Award recipient  
University of Miami 
Exploring novel therapeutic options to target MET-driven lung cancers 

Xiuning Le, MD, PhD – MET Crusaders grant recipient 
University of Texas 
Optimization of MET-CAR-T/NK cell-based therapies for MET exon 14 skipping NSCLC 

Matthew Gumbleton – KRAS Kickers grant recipient 
The University of Utah 
KRAS inhibitors for the treatment of invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma 

The 2022 ALK Positive/Lung Cancer Research Award recipients include: 

Jaime Schneider, MD, PhD 
Massachusetts General Hospital 
Metabolic reprogramming as a driver of resistance in ALK+ lung cancer​ 

Álvaro Quintanal Villalonga, PhD 
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center 
Identifying epigenomic mechanisms of ALK TKI resistance​ 

For more information about LCRF and the Scientific Grant Program, visit LCRF.org/research. 

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About the Lung Cancer Research Foundation  
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. 

Contact: 
Sheila Sullivan 
Sr. Director, Marketing and Communications 
ssullivan@lcrf.org 


Posted in Announcements, Grants, ResearchTagged