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From Misdiagnosis to Advocacy: Rosee’s Journey

June 2026

It all started with a vertigo attack.

In September 2022, Rosee woke in the middle of the night with severe and frightening symptoms: dizziness, a loss of balance, and a sense that everything was spinning around her. What followed was a two-year search for answers. Specialists attributed her symptoms to Ménière’s disease, a condition affecting balance and hearing, and she was told she would need to learn to live with it.

As the months passed, her symptoms worsened. She experienced hearing loss, persistent vertigo, debilitating migraines, and eventually numbness in her hand. In May 2024, after a fall and worsening neurological symptoms, an MRI revealed the true cause: multiple brain metastases. Additional scans identified the primary source of the cancer—lung cancer. Rosee was diagnosed with Stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

The diagnosis was shocking. Rosee had never smoked and had no family history of cancer. Yet she suddenly found herself facing advanced lung cancer and an uncertain future.

During an 18-day hospital stay, Rosee immersed herself in learning about lung cancer and the importance of biomarker testing. After seeking a second opinion, comprehensive genomic testing revealed an EGFR mutation, opening the door to targeted therapy. She began treatment with osimertinib (Tagrisso®), and within weeks experienced a dramatic response. Her tumors shrank significantly, her migraines and vertigo disappeared, and she began to regain her hearing.

Throughout her treatment, Rosee remains determined to fight—not only for herself, but for her family. She credits her husband, children, medical team, and fellow patient advocates with helping her find hope during the most difficult moments of her journey. She has also found strength in becoming an advocate herself, educating others, supporting fellow patients, and staying engaged with advances in lung cancer research.

Rosee arrives for a scan – and compares headgear with Darth Vader.

In an unexpected turn, lung cancer recently touched her family again. In 2026, Rosee’s husband was diagnosed with Stage 1 lung cancer. While undergoing testing related to life insurance, they discovered he had elevated carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels which led to the discovery of his lung cancer before symptoms ever appeared. His cancer was found at an early stage, allowing for prompt treatment.

Experiences like these have strengthened Rosee’s belief that more research is urgently needed to improve how lung cancer is detected. Rosee has been reaching out to talk with researchers across the country and has been advocating through a change.org petition for early detection methods. Current screening guidelines primarily focus on individuals with a significant smoking history, leaving many people at risk without established pathways for early detection.

Rosee hopes that continued investment in research will lead to new tools and strategies that help identify lung cancer earlier, when treatment options are often more effective.

> Read about patients’ common symptoms
> Learn current screening guidelines
> News about screening and early detection

Today, Rosee remains committed to raising awareness for early detection methods, supporting research, and advocating for everyone affected by lung cancer. Through fundraising, patient advocacy, and sharing her story, she hopes to help create a future where more people receive an earlier diagnosis and have access to the treatments that can change—and save—lives.

“We need better ways to find this disease earlier and better treatments for those living with it,” Rosee said. “Research is how we get there.”

> Read about the latest science
> Get resources on living with lung cancer
> Donate to further lung cancer research

Posted in Journeys, PeopleTagged , , , , ,

Research award focused on accelerating treatment options for people with ALK-positive lung cancer

NEW YORK, NY (June 9, 2026) – The Lung Cancer Research Foundation announced today that a new research award focused on accelerating treatment options for people with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) fusion-driven non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is now open for investigator submission.

In 2007, scientists discovered that a genetic abnormality, or fusion, called EML4-ALK plays a key role in driving a subset of NSCLC. This led to the development of targeted drugs called ALK inhibitors, the first of which was FDA-approved in 2011. The latest of these, lorlatinib, is a third-generation inhibitor designed to overcome resistance to earlier drugs. In a major clinical trial (CROWN), lorlatinib outperformed an older drug, crizotinib, showing longer progression-free survival and better control of brain metastases. At the most recent ASCO conference, results of seven years of follow-up showed that more than half of the patients enrolled in the trial have stable disease, the best result ever reported for a single targeted therapy in advanced NSCLC.

While this is great news, resistance eventually develops in all patients, leaving chemotherapy and clinical trials as the only remaining options, as immunotherapy has largely been ineffective in ALK-positive NSCLC. That is why LCRF is committed to funding research that will combat resistance when it does eventually occur. There is a critical need to better understand why these tumors grow, how they respond to treatment, and why resistance develops.

The 2026 LCRF Award on Advancing Breakthroughs in ALK-Positive Lung Cancer grant mechanism will focus on the science behind ALK rearrangements as oncogenic drivers of malignancy and/or the development of novel therapeutic approaches for patients with ALK positive lung cancer that have the potential to increase survivorship. Given the specific interest in the development of novel therapies that could benefit this group of patients in the near term, a resulting clinical trial from this research would be ideal. Proposals for this grant should include a program of correlative, translational research that will enhance the understanding of ALK-driven lung cancers.

Bruce Dunbar, a member of LCRF’s Board of Directors and ALK-positive lung cancer survivor, said, “Grants like this are critical to ensuring there are more options and new approaches to treating ALK-positive NSCLC that has stopped responding to existing therapies. More investment in research means more ALK patients will live longer and better lives and the closer we’ll get to a cure.”

“Science has already given many people with ALK-positive lung cancer years they wouldn’t otherwise have had. But we cannot stop there,” remarked Kathryn A. O’Donnell, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Molecular Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Co-leader, Development and Cancer Program, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center and Chair of the LCRF Scientific Advisory Board. “Resistance will eventually develop, and we have an obligation to be ready. Funding this research now is how we make sure the next breakthrough will happen.”

The 2026 LCRF Award on Advancing Breakthroughs in ALK-Positive Lung Cancer grant was made possible by members of the lung cancer community, led by Colleen Conner Ziegler, chair of LCRF’s board of directors and ALK-positive lung cancer survivor; the Murgatroyd family, who lost their daughter at the age of 24 to ALK-positive lung cancer; Mary Ann Tighe and Dr. David Hidalgo, in honor of Dr. Randi Warren, an ALK-positive lung cancer survivor; David Cornbrooks, co-founder of the Sweat for Breath Foundation and an ALK-positive lung cancer survivor; Pfizer; and many other generous donors.

Submissions for this mechanism will be reviewed through a two-step process: Letters of Intent will be accepted until midnight on July 15, 2026; if selected, investigators will then be chosen to submit full proposals, subject to rigorous review by LCRF’s Scientific Advisory Board.

More details about the Request for Proposal, along with eligibility, requirements, and deadlines can be found at LCRF.org/FundingOpportunities.

###

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 450 research grants, totaling nearly $53 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 & Communications
ssullivan@LCRF.org

Posted in Announcements, GrantsTagged , ,

Two lung cancer research grants aim to accelerate discoveries and enhance outcomes in small cell lung cancer treatment

NEW YORK, NY (June 9, 2026) – The Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF), in collaboration with AstraZeneca, today announced that two research awards focused on improving outcomes for people with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) are now open for investigator submissions. 

Progress in the treatment of SCLC has lagged considerably behind that of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), reflecting both a limited understanding of SCLC biology and a relative scarcity of effective therapeutic options. Recent efforts have begun to define distinct molecular subtypes of SCLC, each potentially harboring unique therapeutic vulnerabilities. In its untreated state, SCLC typically responds robustly to DNA-damaging chemotherapy; however, resistance invariably develops, and second-line therapies offer only modest benefit. The incorporation of immunotherapy into first-line regimens has yielded incremental gains in extensive-stage disease and a more meaningful improvement in overall survival for patients with limited-stage disease.[1],[2],[3]

Given how early we remain in unraveling the biology of SCLC, and that existing treatments are rarely curative, there is a pressing need for innovative therapeutic strategies aimed not merely at prolonging survival, but at achieving cure.

Advances in disease understanding and treatment are frequently shaped and accelerated by patient advocacy. Sustained advocacy efforts have driven meaningful progress across a range of conditions, including HIV/AIDS, breast cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease. Yet despite lung cancer’s status as the leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States, it carries the lowest advocacy score among major diseases.[4] A primary obstacle has been the persistent stigma surrounding lung cancer, which has historically impeded the mobilization of patients, caregivers, and the broader public. Against this backdrop, given the slow pace of research and clinical development in SCLC specifically, building a robust advocacy infrastructure for this patient population is not merely desirable, but critically overdue.

  • The 2026 LCRF | AstraZeneca Research Award on Strategies Towards Improving the Treatment of Small Cell Lung Cancer is a $500,000, three-year award that will focus on furthering the development of novel strategies towards improving the treatment of SCLC. Work supported through this mechanism will address important areas of need across the entire care continuum and have the immediate potential to increase survivorship. It is expected that correlative translational research will be proposed that will enhance the understanding of SCLC. 
  • The 2026 LCRF | AstraZeneca Research Award on Strategies Using Patient Advocacy to Improve Outcomes in Small Cell Lung Cancer is a $250,000, two-year award that will focus on furthering the development of strategies towards improving the outcomes of SCLC patients through patient advocacy. Work supported through this mechanism will address important areas of need across the entire care continuum and have the immediate potential to increase research efforts, quality of life and survivorship.

Submissions for both mechanisms will be reviewed through a two-step process: Letters of Intent will be accepted until midnight on July 15, 2026; if selected, investigators will then be chosen to submit full proposals, subject to rigorous review by LCRF’s Scientific Advisory Board.

“A deeper understanding of small cell lung cancer biology is essential to advancing more precise and effective therapies—and ultimately improving care and outcomes for people living with this challenging disease,” explains Nabil Chehab, US Medical Head, Lung Cancer, AstraZeneca. “We are thrilled to open these awards to the scientific community and look forward to the innovative research proposals investigators will bring forward. Together with the Lung Cancer Research Foundation, we are eager to accelerate the next wave of discoveries that will move small cell lung cancer science forward for patients.”

“LCRF’s research program is centered on delivering solutions for patients with lung cancer, and we couldn’t be more excited to invite investigators to submit their most ambitious ideas,” says Dr. Antoinette Wozniak, Chief Scientific Officer for LCRF. “SCLC has long been one of the most urgent and underserved challenges in oncology, patients still face inevitable treatment resistance and very limited options, yet emerging insights into SCLC subtypes and targets are opening doors that were closed just a few years ago. Patients are our partners in discovery, and with AstraZeneca’s support, we are ready to champion both the novel therapeutic research and the patient advocacy strategies that will make a real and lasting difference for this community.”

“SCLC remains one of the most difficult cancers to treat. Patients respond well initially, but resistance is nearly universal and our options at that point are still far too limited,” remarks Misty Dawn Sheilds, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor, Indiana School of Medicine and Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center. “Investments like the 2026 LCRF | AstraZeneca Research Awards are exactly what this field needs right now, when emerging science around SCLC subtypes and novel targets is finally giving us new directions to pursue. This kind of research can be the difference between a promising idea sitting on the shelf and a discovery that actually reaches patients.”

More details about each of the Requests for Proposal, along with eligibility, requirements, and deadlines can be found at LCRF.org/FundingOpportunities.

# # #

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 450 research grants, totaling nearly $53 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 (LCRF)
Sheila Sullivan
Sr. Director, Marketing & Communications
ssullivan@lcrf.org

[1] Horn L, Mansfield AS, Szczęsna A, et al. N Engl J Med. 2018; 379(23): 2220-2229.
[2]Paz-Ares L, Dvorkin M, Chen Y, et al. Lancet. 2019; 394(10212): 1929-1939. 
[3] Cheng Y, Spigel D, Cho BC, et al. N Engl J Med. 2024; 391(14): 1313-1324.
[4] Best RK. Oxford University Press. 2019; 10.1093/oso/9780190918408.001.0001. 

Posted in Uncategorized

The good news

Jalal Ahmed MD, PhD, an Assistant Professor at the Precision Immunology Institute, Department of Radiation Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai in New York City, has published an important paper entitled “Targeting the tumor microenvironment to advance CAR-T cell therapy for lung cancer” in the journal, Nature Cancer. Dr. Ahmed’s work was supported by a grant from the Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF) that he received in 2018.

Why it’s important

CAR (Chimeric Antigen Receptor) T-cell therapy is a form of immunotherapy. T cells are white blood cells in the immune system that have receptors on their surface that can recognize cells that contain abnormalities called antigens, i.e. cancer cells. The T cells become activated and proceed to kill the abnormal cells. CAR T-cells are the patient’s own immune cells, reprogrammed in a lab to act like guided missiles that are trained to seek out and attack cancer cells specifically. These T cells are returned to the patient, and they detect and kill the cancer cells. CAR T-cells can also continue to multiply in the bloodstream so that they act like a “living drug.”

CAR T-cell therapy is currently approved for the treatment of several blood cancers. This type of immunotherapy has been attempted in many other cancers but unfortunately has not been successful. There are many explanations as to why this therapy has not been as effective in the treatment of other malignancies such as lung cancer. The issues are very complicated, and scientists have gone back to the laboratory to get a better understanding of the biology involved in the use of T-cell therapy.

From May 2020:
Dr. Ahmed talks about his work

In one of our first Together Separately livestreams, Dr. Ahmed spoke with us about his research. He was in the 2nd year of his grant from LCRF.

Dr. Ahmed focused his research on the tumor microenvironment where certain components can suppress the immune response. By using a novel mouse model, he was able to demonstrate that incorporation of radiation dramatically increased the activity and persistence of the CAR T-cells. Sustaining CAR T-cell activity has been a major challenge. Dr. Ahmed found that the persistence of the CAR T-cells depended on dendritic cells which are immune cells that present the antigens to the T cells thus initiating the immune response. These findings establish a critical mechanism through which dendritic cells maintain the CAR T-cell pool in irradiated tumors, thus supporting translation of this approach to advance CAR T-cell therapy for solid tumors.

What it means for patients

This research is important for patients because by understanding the interactions of the immune system, scientists and physicians can use this information to design more effective therapy in the CAR T-cell space. It is difficult to tell how soon the results of Dr. Ahmed’s research will be used in a clinical trial but clearly this represents progress. It is hoped that CAR T-cell therapy will be as effective in the treatment of lung cancer as it is in blood cancers. It is important to note that any progress in lung cancer may be applied to the treatment of other malignancies.

What to look for

There is a great deal of research going on in the use of CAR T-cell therapy. The efforts in basic science help to improve our understanding of the immune system and subsequently these scientific breakthroughs are translated into clinical trials for patients. This is a very exciting field of research, and many advances are anticipated in the future. LCRF is thrilled that this research was made possible because of an LCRF grant. Our scientific review process ensures that we support the best innovative research. LCRF will continue to make it our mission to fund research that will ultimately lead to a cure for lung cancer.

More to come!

Posted in Research, Science Made SimpleTagged , ,

A lively group of patients, caregivers, family members, and medical experts connected at LCRF Together New York for dinner and discussion on May 7.

Our expert panelists included Dr. Balazs Halmos and Dr. Brendon Stiles from Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center; Dr. Isabel Preeshagul of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; and Peggy Collins, an oncology nurse navigator at New York-Presbyterian Hospital.

Dr. Stiles, Dr. Preeshagul, Ms. Collins, and Dr. Halmos

Among the topics of conversation was early detection and the benefit of screening. More people are being diagnosed at earlier stages, when the disease is easier to treat.

The increase in survivorship means that the role of the nurse navigator is more important than ever, as they provide logistical and emotional support for those living with lung cancer. These resources are also important for caregivers.

Other discussion took place around small cell lung cancer, stigma, first line therapies, and how family history affects diagnosis.

Several LCRF grantees and other scientists attended the event, which was an opportunity to meet those whose lives are impacted by their research. Dr. Stiles noted that “the best way to keep young researchers involved with lung cancer research is to connect them with patients and get patients in the lab.”

The evening led to conversation and connection beyond the event. “Everyone was so kind and welcoming, and I had no idea how close knit this community is,” said one attendee. “We are looking forward to attending future events and involving other family members.”

Posted in Education, EventsTagged ,

Individuals and industry collaborate with the Lung Cancer Research Foundation to accelerate progress

NEW YORK, NY (May 19, 2026) – The Lung Cancer Research Foundation, in partnership with patients, survivors, caregivers, loved ones, industry partners and medical leaders, is funding two $300,000 two-year awards to accelerate treatment options for people with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) fusion-driven non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC.)

More than 500,000 people worldwide are currently living with ALK-positive NSCLC and often affects younger adults with no history of tobacco use or other known risk factors. Ongoing investment in research remains imperative to expand therapeutic options, combat treatment resistance, and enhance long-term survival outcomes and quality of life for these patients.

In 2007, scientists discovered that a genetic abnormality, or fusion, called EML4-ALK plays a key role in driving a subset of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). This led to the development of targeted drugs called ALK inhibitors, the first of which was FDA-approved in 2011. The latest of these, lorlatinib, is a third-generation inhibitor designed to overcome resistance to earlier drugs. In a major clinical trial (CROWN), lorlatinib outperformed an older drug, crizotinib, showing longer progression-free survival and better control of brain metastases. After five years of follow-up, the median time without disease progression still hasn’t been reached, the best result ever reported for a single targeted therapy in advanced NSCLC.

Despite this progress, resistance eventually develops in all patients, leaving chemotherapy and clinical trials as the only remaining options. Immunotherapy, which has transformed treatment for many lung cancers, has largely been ineffective in ALK-positive NSCLC. There is a critical need to better understand why these tumors grow, how they respond to treatment, and why resistance develops.

The launch of this research grant was fueled by advocacy and support from members of the lung cancer community seeking better options for people living with ALK-positive lung cancer. Leading the fundraising effort was Colleen Conner Ziegler, chair of LCRF’s board of directors and ALK-positive lung cancer survivor, the Murgatroyd family, who lost their daughter at the age of 24 to ALK-positive lung cancer, David Cornbrooks, co-founder of the Sweat For Breath Foundation and an ALK positive lung cancer survivor, Pfizer, and many other generous donors.

“Although current treatment options work well and have good reported results, we know that one day, that treatment will no longer be effective,” says Colleen Conner Ziegler. “Research like this ensures that we are working to get ahead of the curve and have more options for people in active treatment. As both a representative of LCRF and someone with an ALK-positive NSCLC diagnosis, this collaboration of individuals, industry and foundations gives me great hope for the future.”

“Our family has been profoundly impacted by the loss of our daughter Kay to ALK-positive lung cancer,” remarked Aileen Murgatroyd of Research ALKay+ve UK. “We believe in LCRF’s ability to identify the best science to accelerate research that will continue to provide hope for others who face this diagnosis. This is why we joined in funding these grant awards.”

The 2026 LCRF Award on Advancing Breakthroughs in ALK-Positive Lung Cancer Request for Proposals will be announced in June 2026. To be notified when it is open for submissions, visit LCRF.org/RFPlist. To learn more about LCRF’s research program, 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 450 research grants, totaling nearly $53 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 & Communications
ssullivan@LCRF.org

Posted in Announcements, GrantsTagged , , , ,

Turning love, loss, and music into hope

By Emma Nestler, Senior Manager, Community Engagement

On April 18, 2026, something truly special happened in Imperial, CA. What began as a family gathering grew into an unforgettable night of music, art, and community, all in honor of a woman whose legacy continues to inspire.

The Glochella Music and Art Festival was more than an event. It was a tribute, a celebration, and a powerful reminder of what is possible when people come together with purpose.

A legacy of love and strength

Glochella was created in memory of Gloria Silva, a beloved mother and the heart of her family. Gloria was diagnosed with stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer in 2017 and passed away in 2021.

Her family shares:

“She had a high quality of life for most of those four years thanks to new drugs and treatments… Our family wants to contribute what we can so that other patients and families can have more time, and eventually, a cure.”

Gloria was known for opening her home and filling it with music, laughter, and togetherness. Those moments did not end with her passing. They became the foundation for something new.

“Those family gatherings filled with music and joy live on as treasured memories… Her courage and unwavering faith has inspired us to continue the fight against this disease.”

From backyard gathering to community movement

Glochella first began in 2022 as part of a milestone birthday celebration. Even then, it made an impact, raising $14,000 for lung cancer research.

This year, it grew into something even bigger.

Held at the family home, the 2026 festival welcomed over 200 guests, including friends, family, and community members who all came together to support the cause. The event featured five bands across two stages, food booths, a live and silent auction, and original artwork created and donated by family members. Attendees made donations directly to their LCRF fundraising page prior to the event and additional funds were raised during the auctions.

What stands out most is not just what was planned, but how the community showed up.

“Everyone we approached was eager to help… Our entire family, friends and community came together.”

Some of the most meaningful parts of the day were both thoughtfully planned and beautifully unexpected.

The family shared that they observed a moment of silence before the auction in remembrance of all those lost to cancer. However, there was lots of fun to be had which was true as some of the younger kids got to join in with the band on stage for a few songs.

By the end of the event, they had raised nearly double their goal.

A community rooted in hope

At its core, Glochella carried a simple and powerful message: “Research is the key… to giving patients and their families more time and hope.”

That belief is what brought everyone together and continues to drive their efforts. When asked what hope looks like, their answer was clear: “New treatments, new breakthroughs, new understanding.”

Glochella was created through a shared love, memory, and a desire to help others facing the same fight, friends and family came together in a way that made a real and lasting impact.

For anyone wondering if they can make a difference, this family has a message:

“Don’t underestimate the power of collective giving. When a group of people, no matter their means, comes together, they can truly make a meaningful impact.”

When reflecting on the experience, one moment stood above the rest:

“The best part… was how it brought our entire family closer together. How it kept Mom’s spirit and legacy alive in an effort to give hope to others.”

One word to describe it?

“Emotional. In the best way possible.”

And at the heart of it all:

“Fundraising for lung cancer research means… hope.”

Inspired to create your own event?

Events like Glochella show just how powerful community can be. If you have ever thought about hosting your own fundraiser, please reach out to us!

Whether it is a backyard gathering, a game or tournament, something tapping into your artistic side, a milestone celebration, or something completely unique, every fundraiser (big or small!) has the power to make a difference.

If you are interested in planning a Your Way fundraiser, we would love to support you. Our team is here to help you bring your idea to life, provide guidance along the way, and make sure your efforts have the greatest possible impact.

Email events@LCRF.org to get started. Together, we can turn your idea into hope for families facing lung cancer.

Posted in Events, FundraisingTagged , ,

A special edition of Together Separately, presented by LCRF and the Susan Wojcicki Foundation, explored what heritable genetics — separate from tumor testing — can tell us about lung cancer, and how patients are helping to drive the next generation of research.

Joining moderator Isabel Preeshagul, DO, MBS were:

  • Sandip Patel, MD, UC San Diego Health
  • Janet Freeman-Daily, Co-Founder & President, The ROS1ders
  • Marc Muskavitch, Board of Directors, ALK Positive

Watch the recording below.

Posted in Education, EventsTagged , ,

LCRF hosted its 5th annual Together Chicago dinner and discussion on April 14 in Evanston, IL. The event for patients, caregivers, and others who care about lung cancer drew a record-breaking number of registrants, with about 60 people in attendance.

Dr. Christine Bestvina, UChicago Medicine, and Dr. Frank Weinberg, University of Illinois Cancer Center, offered their insights on the state of lung cancer research and treatment. Jill Feldman, co-founder of EGFR Resisters, rounded out the panel. Stacey Bowers, LCRF Vice President, Mission, was the moderator for the discussion.

From left: Stacey Bowers, Jill Feldman, Dr. Bestvina, and Dr. Weinberg

The group agreed there is much to be excited about in lung cancer treatment.

Dr. Bestvina spoke about developments in KRAS treatment. While first-generation KRAS G12C inhibitors are a good option, next-generation theoretical inhibitors are showing much better efficacy. “And very importantly, we can combine them with immunotherapy safely to try to move these drugs up into the front line. So I do think there’s going to be a huge revolution for KRAS in the next five years.”

Dr Weinberg noted it’s not just G12C, but other mutations. “We’re going to have to start understanding exactly what kind of mutation you have, because there are all these agents coming out. And that is exciting for these folks that traditionally haven’t had a lot of options.”

Small cell lung cancer

The panel also acknowledged the changing field of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) treatment. New medications are changing outcomes for patients with SCLC, earlier in treatment. Antibody drug conjugates are showing efficacy in studies.

“I think what we’re learning in small cell is that the immune system really is important for outcomes. And that’s exciting.”

Dr. Bestvina added that the way brain metastasis is treated is also changing. “I still occasionally see patients as second opinions who have been recommended for whole brain therapy for a single brain met, or even total brain radiation. We’re really moved away from that as the standard. If anybody has been recommended whole brain for their small cell, I absolutely would recommend a second opinion to make sure that’s appropriate for that clinical scenario.”

Recognizing caregivers

Dr. Weinberg mentioned that a former patient’s caregiver and friends were in attendance, and spoke about how much they had taught him.

“The caregiver is central to the entire treatment process for a patient. Because the caregiver is a person who is listening when the patient can’t listen…the caregiver is the person that’s there 24/7 when the physician, nurse, and medical team isn’t there.”

“That relationship is so important – we learn a lot, not only during the treatment but after. We learn how to be a better physician going forward. It’s so important to have those sort of relationships and really support the caregiver.”

Jill Feldman agreed. “I was a caregiver-slash-loved-one before I was a patient. And in many ways, it’s harder being that caregiver, because you are still paying bills, taking care of kids or elderly family, and you’re taking off work, and you’re worried about that patient, and you don’t really know how they’re feeling. It’s a lot. I do think it is important for the clinician to be involved.”

What research means

Each panelist spoke about the importance of research.

As a patient, Jill says, “my goal is to bring the lived experience into research and to make sure that it’s both meaningful and scientifically rigorous. Ultimately, I look at it as our most powerful tool. It’s our lifeline, our future, the future of our children and the next generation. And the true value of research for patients and families is hope – hope to live longer, and hope to live better.”

Dr. Bestvina pointed out that research is allowing patients access to drugs earlier on in their treatment. “Allowing improved efficacy of drugs as well as decreased toxicity for patients through clinical trials is the most important part of my research.”

Dr. Weinberg added, “Everything that we use is because of previous research. Look where we’ve come. The science embodies survivorship. It’s exciting.”

“What it means to me is hope. There’s hope. There’s hope for living longer. There’s hope for a cure.”

Posted in Education, EventsTagged ,

Team led by John Heymach, MD, PhD receives $1.5 million grant

NEW YORK, NY (May 12, 2026) – The Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF) announces the first recipients of its LCRF | Boehringer Ingelheim Team Science Award on Innovative Therapeutic Strategies to Understand and Treat Lung Cancers Harboring HER2 Mutations. The project, “Integrated molecular, structural and clinical studies to characterize and develop therapeutic approaches for tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance and drug tolerant persister cells (DTPCs) in HER2 mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)” was made possible by a research collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim.

John Heymach, MD, PhD, will be the lead investigator on this project. Dr. Heymach is Professor, Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology and Chief, Section of Thoracic Medical Oncology at University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Joining him on the team is his colleague, Samir M. Hanash, MD, PhD, Professor, Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention- Research and Department of Molecular Pathology at University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Michael Eck, MD, PhD, Professor of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology at Harvard Medical School, John W. Lawson, PhD, Computational Materials Group Leader at NASA Ames Research Center, and Heidi Greulich, PhD, Senior Group Leader, Institute Scientist at Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. A subset of patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have tumors driven by mutations in a gene called HER2. While recent approvals of HER2-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have represented major progress, most patients eventually relapse because their tumors develop resistance to their current treatment. The team’s project seeks to understand why resistance occurs and to develop new strategies to overcome it, with the goal of delivering more lasting and effective treatments for patients with HER2-mutant lung cancer.

Lung cancers harboring HER2 mutations represent one of the most challenging subsets of oncogene-driven non–small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) to treat. Despite recent approvals of HER2-directed tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs), therapeutic benefit is often transient. Patients with HER2 mutated lung cancer often stop responding to treatment for two related reasons: the cancer’s HER2 protein changes shape so the drug can no longer attach to it, and the cancer finds entirely new ways to survive that don’t involve HER2 at all. Tackling both problems at once requires scientists from multiple fields, including drug design, cell biology, computer modeling, and immunology, to work together.

The research team brings together investigators with complementary expertise to systematically address these challenges in two distinct projects, utilizing the latest technological advances, including AI, in an innovative approach. The first project will apply deep mutational scanning, structural biology, and computational modeling to comprehensively define resistance mutations within HER2 and develop a predictive structure of TKI response to HER2 primary and resistance mutations.  The second project will comprehensively characterize the landscape of HER2-independent resistance to HER2 TKIs and develop novel cellular therapies and T-cell engagers against drug-tolerant persister cells (DTPCs) and drug resistance cells (DRCs). This will identify candidate therapeutic targets and test efficacy of therapies which, if promising, could move into a phase 1 clinical trial.

“By analyzing tumor models and patient samples from before treatment, during minimal residual disease and at the point of resistance, we will be able to identify changes in gene expression, cell identity, and cell surface proteins,” says Dr. Heymach. “The resulting data will then be tested, and if the approaches work well in the lab and animal studies, the results will directly support a doctor-led clinical study, which will get us that much closer to additional options for patients whose tumors harbor HER2 mutations.”

“These projects represent the best kind of collaboration between laboratory and computational science,” remarked Antoinette Wozniak, MD, FASCO, Chief Scientific Officer for LCRF. “The hope is to arrive at viable answers more quickly, and these investigators are among the best in their fields.”

“We’re proud to support research through collaborations that help advance new approaches for some of the hardest-to-treat cancers and address areas of significant unmet need,” said Emmanuelle Clerisme-Beaty, Medical Director US, SVP Medicine at Boehringer Ingelheim. “By working together, we can help accelerate progress in cancer research, and we congratulate the Team Science grant recipients for the important work they are leading to improve patient outcomes now and in the future.”

To learn more about this award and the project, visit LCRF.org/2025her2teamscience.

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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 450 research grants, totaling nearly $53 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 (LCRF)
Sheila Sullivan
Sr. Director, Marketing & Communications
marketing@LCRF.org

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