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First Sites Initiated for Trial Enrollment to Inform Neoadjuvant Targeted Therapy Options for Patients with Lung Cancer

NEW YORK, NY (June 2, 2022) – The Lung Cancer Mutation Consortium (LCMC), facilitated by the Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF), announces the initiation of trial sites at USC Norris Cancer Center, University of California-Davis, University of Michigan, and University of Washington for its fourth study, LCMC4 Evaluation of Actionable Drivers in EaRly Stage Lung Cancer (LEADER), examining targeted drugs given as single agents and combinations as neoadjuvant therapies matched to specific genetic mutations.

The LEADER trial, together with matched industry-sponsored therapeutic trials, aims to develop data that will support oncologists in their targeted treatment planning for cancer patients prior to surgery by screening for eleven actionable driver mutations in patients. The trial is now open for enrollment and is expected to include more than 20 trial sites, with investigators from across the country.

“This effort is an important next step to expand the benefits of targeted treatment to patients with early-stage lung cancers. Comprehensive genomic profiling offers critical insights that allow oncologists to select the best treatments for each individual person. We are eager to see how the results of this study can impact patient care,” says Mark G. Kris, MD, Attending Physician, Thoracic Oncology Service, Department of Medicine at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and one of the investigators of the LEADER trial.

Additionally, a new “Trial in Progress” abstract will be presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2022 Annual Meeting on Monday, June 6 by Dr. Kris and Boris Sepesi, M.D., F.A.C.S., Associate Professor, Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Principal Investigator of the LEADER Trial. They will detail LEADER’s primary objective of determining the proportion of resectable NSCLC patients within the trial who possess actionable oncogenic drivers. Results from comprehensive genetic profile testing will inform the LEADER trial sites on their selection of neoadjuvant therapy and enrollment onto independent therapeutic trials with genomically matched neoadjuvant treatment, standard therapies, or other trials if no driver is detected. To access the abstract (Abstract TPS8596), go to meetinglibrary.asco.org.

Patients with early-stage lung cancers who are interested in participating in the LCMC LEADER trial should discuss the study with their oncologist to determine eligibility and the process for enrollment.

To learn more about LCMC and the LEADER trial, visit LCRF.org/LCMC4

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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 394 research grants, totaling nearly $39 million, the highest amount provided by a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding lung cancer research. For more information, visit LCRF.org.

About the Lung Cancer Mutation Consortium (LCMC)
Focused on deepening our understanding of the genetic changes that underlie lung cancers and on improving outcomes in patients whose tumors harbor these oncogenic drivers, the Lung Cancer Mutation Consortium (LCMC) is an association of more than twenty U.S. cancer centers. Through the testing of tumor tissues to uncover genetic changes, LCMC investigators match patients with targeted drugs and clinical trials designed to change the practice of thoracic oncology. The Lung Cancer Research Foundation coordinates and supports the activities of the LCMC. LCMC is a unique model that brings together advocacy, academic, and industry partners in a collaborative setting. This strategy streamlines research efforts, cuts cost and delays, facilitates connections with the lung cancer and advocacy communities, and brings us closer to the goal of precision medicine where therapies are matched to the specific needs of each person with lung cancer.

Contact:
Sheila Sullivan
Senior Director, Marketing & Communications, LCRF
ssullivan@LCRF.org

Posted in Announcements, ResearchTagged

LCRF’s May 2022 #TogetherSeparately livestream invited a panel of speakers to discuss many important areas of caring for one’s mental health during a lung cancer diagnosis.

Our guests were:

  • Laura Petrillo, MD, Pallative Care Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital
  • Jamie Jacobs, PhD, Program Director, Center for Psychiatric Oncology & Behavioral Sciences; Director, Caregiving Research, Cancer Outcomes Research & Education Program, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center; Assistant Professor of Psychology, Harvard Medical School
  • Colleen Conner Ziegler, LCRF Board Member Moderator
  • Lynne S. Padgett, PhD, Health Science Officer/Scientific Program Manager, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Watch the recording below.

Links referenced during the livestream:

Posted in #TogetherSeparatelyTagged

Any activity or event can be an opportunity to support lung cancer research – and these fundraisers are a great example! Read their stories below, and learn how you can get started on your own event.

11th Annual Frank Ramirez Breathe 2 Believe Fundraiser

PHOENIX, AZ – Vanessa Ramirez and family hosted a brunch event to raise awareness and funds for lung cancer research in memory of her father, Frank. The event was a huge success and they reached their goal of $30,000! 

The event included vendors, a raffle, and other fun activities, as well as a chance to hear from cancer survivors. Diamondbacks baseball legend Luis Gonzalez led live auction which brought in over $2,000 of the total raised.

Vanessa and her family generously split the proceeds between LCRF and other local cancer fighting organizations in Phoenix.

Breathe 2 Believe

Marilyn A. Holman Memorial Golf Tournament

RICHMOND, VA – Noah Holman, who attends the University of Richmond School of Law, raised $6,000 for lung cancer research by holding a golf tournament with the Richmond Spots & Entertainment Law Society in memory of his mother, Marilyn.

“Since her passing, I always remind myself that her legacy lives on through me and each of my siblings,” Noah said. “My mom lived her life by giving back to others, always putting others’ needs above her own. With that in mind, I couldn’t think of a much better way to honor her legacy than to host this event with the goal of helping other families affected by this devastating disease.”

Marilyn A Holman Memorial Golf Tournament

Seneca Valley High School’s Charity Kickball Tournament

HARMONY, PA – High school senior Alyson Rosell hosted a charity kickball tournament in memory of her grandfather, Lawrence Rossell, who died of lung cancer on May 15, 2013. The tournament, which raised $1,500 for research, included raffles and t-shirt sales.

 “I was very young when he passed, and I didn’t really understand everything that was going on,” Alyson said. “All I knew was that he was sick, and he left too soon. He was my best friend, and it broke me down emotionally when I lost him. My grandfather influenced me to become a better person and I know he is still protecting me.”

“Families all over the world are going through the same pain I felt as a child,” she added. That’s why she chose to do a senior project “that will help research ways to fight the battle one step at a time.”

The tournament was such a huge hit among Alyson’s classmates that they are eager to do it again!

Seneca Valley High School’s Charity Kickball Tournament

Purple & White Fight Night

NEW YORK, NY – The 6th annual Purple & White Fight Night benefiting benefit LCRF and The Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research was held in April – and raised nearly $95,000!

Danyelle Shapiro and Ashley Katzen began the event in 2014, in memory of parents they’d lost to cancer. Danyelle’s father passed away from lung cancer at age 41, and Ashley’s mother died of pancreatic cancer at age 54. .

The collaboration between the two women was sparked by the impact cancer has had on their lives and the grim statistics for each disease. Their personal message: “Awareness is hope, and hope never quits!”

Purple & White Fight Night

Glochella

IMPERIAL, CA – Jessica Salgado and her family planned a musical festival themed birthday party in memory of her mother, Gloria, whom they lost to lung cancer. “Glochella” was quite the event with live music, dancing, art installations and more. Together, the family raised almost $15,000 for lung cancer research! 

This event was simple but special: family and friends coming together over their love of music and their love for Gloria.

Glochella

“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” by McMagical Productions

HADDON TOWNSHIP, NJ – McMagical Productions presented the musical “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” at the Ritz Theatre in Haddon Township, with a percentage of proceeds donated to LCRF. McMagical Productions is a non-profit organization created in memory of and with inspiration from Barbara McKinsey, a young dance teacher who passed away from lung cancer in June 2013. The organization serves those suffering from chronic diseases by raising money, raising awareness, and raising their spirits through the performing arts.

Want to make a splash with your own fundraising event? We would love to help support and brainstorm with you – here are some ideas! Reach out for more information and questions to Emma at enestler@LCRF.org.

Posted in Fundraise Your Way

Upstage Lung Cancer‘s Backstage@Upstage podcast recently featured Jill Feldman and Ivy Elkins as guests for an episode titled Biomarkers Benefit Lung Cancer Resisters.

Jill (left) with Ivy

Hosts Hildy Grossman and Jordan Rich spoke with Jill and Ivy about how their lung cancer diagnosis – along with the ability to detect a particular biomarker, EGFR – has affected the course of their lives. Biomarkers indicate alterations in your DNA that may drive a tumor. Using biomarker testing, it’s possible to refine diagnostic information to help select treatments to target directly that alteration.

Jill and Ivy channeled their experience as lung cancer survivors and advocates into creating the patient-centered organization, EGFR Resisters. This organization supports and notifies the EGFR-positive, lung cancer community about the latest information in diagnosis, research and treatment. Their vision is to support continued research to make lung cancer a manageable, chronic disease.

Listen to the episode:

Find out more about the podcast and listen to additional episodes here.

Posted in In the News, PeopleTagged

Karen Knetter passed away on September 7, 2024, 4 years after her diagnosis with lung cancer.

By Karen Knetter | April 2022

Two years ago, the oncologist assigned to my case called my room at the hospital during COVID-19 lockdown and told me I had a wolf pack behind me to fight the lung cancer that invaded my body. Dr Narjust Duma’s positivity gave me hope as I digested and grieved the diagnosis of non-small cell adenocarcinoma with EGFR mutation. 

This survivor has felt the strength of that wolf pack from not only the excellent medical care I’ve received, but also from the decades of research by scientists that lead to the targeted therapy that’s extending my life. I want to celebrate this 2-year anniversary by advocating for more funding for lung cancer detection and treatment to better the lives of future patients.

Shining a spotlight on the biggest cancer killer will help remove the stigma (get lung cancer from smoking) that’s historically deprioritized its funding. Yes, smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer but 20% of lung cancer diagnoses are non-smokers or never-smokers (2/3 of those are women). Smokers with lung cancer deserve benefits of modern medicine as well; many smokers have fallen prey to the tobacco industry’s advertising campaigns and/or government handouts (veterans receiving free cigarettes). That shouldn’t diminish lung cancer research funding.

No cancer is more important than another, but large discrepancies in funding exist. Lung cancer kills one and a half times as many women as breast cancer, yet it receives less than a fifth of research funding in dollars per death. More women died last year of lung cancer than of breast, ovarian and cervical cancer combined. 

We need to elevate funding for lung cancer research to broaden the impact of life-saving technologies. If you can help, please be part of my wolf pack.

Posted in People, RememberingTagged

LCRF collaborated with NewYork-Presbyterian and the Chinese Community Partnership for Health (CCPH) to offer Lung Cancer and Lung Cancer Screening, a Cantonese-language webinar on April 27.

Presenter Dr. Rex H. Wu, New York-Presbyterian Hospital-Columbia and Cornell, is a member of the Chinese American Independent Practice Association board and practice at Chinatown and a long-time board member of CCPH.

The livestream was part of LCRF’s Minority Cancer Awareness Month programming.

View the recording below.

Posted in #TogetherSeparatelyTagged , ,

On April 25, Dr. Edgardo Santos presented a Spanish-language webinar,Vivir con Diagnóstico de Cáncer de Pulmón (Living with a Diagnosis of Lung Cancer). Dr. Santos is Medical Director of Research Services, Florida Precision Oncology/A Division of Genesis Care; Clinical Affiliate Associate Professor and FAU Secretary of FLASCO.

The livestream was part of LCRF’s Minority Cancer Awareness Month programming.

View the recording below.

Posted in #TogetherSeparatelyTagged ,
Dr. Kwon-Sik Park

Dr. Kwon-Sik Park, associate professor of microbiology, immunology, and cancer biology at the University of Virginia School of Medicine and 2012 Pilot Grant awardee, is one of the authors of a groundbreaking study that may have implications for development of a new treatment for small cell lung cancer (SCLC.) He, along with his co-author Dr. John Bushweller, were interviewed by Medical News Today about their findings related to the KIX domain of the EP300 protein that is essential for the development of SCLC and, as their study found, can also inhibit the cancer.

It is precisely these kinds of discoveries that LCRF funding is designed to enable, and we’re proud that our supporters made it possible to fund Dr. Kwon-Sik Park early in his career with the specific purpose of uncovering targeted treatment opportunities for SCLC.

Read the Medical News Today article here.

Posted in In the News, ResearchTagged ,

The Lung Cancer Research Foundation is one of 55 groups which have signed on to urge Congress to allocate $60 million to the Lung Cancer Research Program within the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) in the Fiscal Year 2023 Department of Defense appropriations bill.

In fiscal year 2021, because of a lack of funding, the government program was forced to reject 82 out of 119 research proposals rated excellent or outstanding by reviewers (70%). This represents 82 missed opportunities to advance novel, desperately needed technologies and treatments to fight America’s top cancer killer. A $60 million appropriation could have funded all of these high quality proposals.

Lung cancer patients’ survival depends on significantly more research to advance new approaches ranging from early detection to treatments that combat resistance to existing therapeutics.

Veterans are at significantly greater risk for lung cancer and are diagnosed at higher rates than the general population. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) estimates that 900,000 veterans are at risk for lung cancer due to age, significantly higher rates of smoking, and environmental exposures during and after military service. However, lung cancer received only 3.46% ($20 million) of the $577.5 million in CDMRP cancer funds in fiscal year 2022, less than every named CDMRP cancer except one.

The collective strongly supports raising the overall federal funding level for all cancer programs, because new funding for any cancer should not come at the expense of other cancers.

Here’s how you can help: ask your Members of Congress to sign the “Dear Colleague” letter before the deadline!

The House letter deadline is April 26 and Senate letter deadline is May 12, so don’t wait. Take action today at LungCAN.org/Act.

You can read the letter at this link.

Posted in Announcements, In the News, PartnershipsTagged