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A team of 10 runners represented the Lung Cancer Research Foundation at the TCS New York City Marathon on Sunday, noviembre 3. The group, made up of first-time marathoners and veterans alike, all ran in support of lung cancer research and awareness, a cause that hits close to home.

“As a thoracic oncologist myself who has worked for the last close to 20 years with countless patients suffering from lung cancer and who also actively participated in both clinical and translational research, I plan to run in memory of patients we have lost, in support of patients I am currently following and in great hopes for future generations of patients who we will be able to help better expecting great research advances ahead – as long as we can find the funding to keep our talented and motivated young scientists in our field through the help of foundations such as LCRF,” said Team LCRF runner Dr. Balazs Halmos, shown at right.

Team LCRF crushed the marathon, and they also crushed their fundraising goal, raising over $70,000 for lung cancer research!

Posted in Endurance Events

Many of LCRF’s investigators, including Scientific Advisory Board Chair Dr. Katerina Politi, presented at this year’s IASLC 20th World Conference on Lung Cancer in Barcelona. The discussions at this year’s conference highlighted the importance of lung cancer screening, biomarker testing, and advocating for more lung cancer research funding.

Dr. Katerina Politi provides an overview of how resistance to targeted therapies impacts lung cancer outcomes.

LCRF’s Senior Manager of Education and Outreach, Cristina Chin, represented the organization at the annual meeting of the Global Lung Cancer Coalition, which took place just days before. More research funding will make all the difference in lung cancer outcomes!

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Posted in Conferences
Kortni with Lesley

Kortni and Tiffany are sisters who lost a close friend, Lesley Demaio Duffy, at way too young an age. Lesley was only 38 – and pregnant with her second child – when she was diagnosed with lung cancer. Not only was Lesley in the prime of her life, she was healthy, active, and had never smoked.

When Lesley died on julio 15, 2018, she left behind her husband, Chris, and two small children. Lachlan was just 3 years old when his mom was diagnosed, and Camden was born shortly after.

Tiffany with Lesley
Tiffany with Lesley

“She was robbed of her future by this silent killer,” said Kourtni. “But she was lucky in some ways. At the time of her diagnosis, a new drug hit the market – it treated her specific type of lung cancer and gave her another two-and-a-half years with us.”

Tiffany and Kortni decided to form a team for the Chicago Lung Run so they could support research that would give others more time with their loved ones. Currently, Team DeMuffy is the event’s top fundraising team, raising nearly $20K.

At the Chicago Lung Run kickoff, the sisters shared the top two reasons for their success. “Tell people why raising money and funding lung cancer research is important to you,” Tiffany said. “Not only does this create awareness, but it also helps break the stigma associated with lung cancer.”

Their other tip? “Ask everyone you know,” said Kortni. “If you don’t ask, they can’t give!”

On event day, Tiffany was interviewed on Chicago’s Fox 32. See the clip below.

Posted in Fundraising, Women & Lung CancerTagged

The FDA approved a targeted therapy entrectinib (Rozlytrek) for either NTRK+ solid tumors or ROS1+ patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

This approval broadens the treatment options for patients with solid tumors that test positive for the NTRK genetic alteration whose disease continues to progress on standard treatment therapies. The NTRK genetic alteration is not exclusive to lung cancer and applies to any solid cancer tumors where NTRK is present.

As for patients with metastatic NSCLC who test positive for the ROS1 genetic alteration, this latest approval means ROS1 patients now have four targeted therapy treatment options. Read more here.

Posted in FDA News, Research

Southampton, NY (agosto 12, 2019)—Residents from the Hamptons community, New York City and beyond laced up their sneakers and hit the pavement yesterday for the Lung Cancer Research Foundation’s (LCRF) Fourteenth Annual Strides for Life Run/Walk, raising more than $365,000 for lung cancer research.

LCRF hosts its annual Strides for Life run/walk to raise awareness and funds for lung cancer research, in honor and memory of those who have been touched by the disease. Currently, lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer death in the world, yet per death, lung cancer is the most underfunded cancer. LCRF is the leading nonprofit organization focused on funding innovative, high-reward lung cancer research with the potential to extend survival and improve quality of life for people with lung cancer. The organization’s mission is to improve lung cancer outcomes by funding research for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure of lung cancer.

“Strides for Life is a special day where all those who have been touched by lung cancer come together to celebrate life and inspire hope for the future,” says Brendon M. Stiles, MD, Board Chair, LCRF. “The community has been a strong supporter of this event for so many years, raising $5.6 million to date. As a result, we’ve been able to fund the very best lung cancer research and help change what it means to face a lung cancer diagnosis.”

Nearly 600 participants took part in the Fourteenth Annual Strides for Life, which included a three-mile run/walk around Lake Agawam and 50-yard dash for children.

Whether they raced as individuals or as part of one of the 18 teams fielded this year, participants hit the pavement in honor of loved ones, lung cancer survivors, friends, families, and lung cancer patients. First over the finish line at the end of the three-mile run were:

  • Top Female 18+: Tara Farrell (Time: 18:07.9)
  • Top Male 18+: Charles Parsons (Time: 16:39.1)
  • Top Female 17 and Under: Colleen Cassidy (Time: 23:25.9)
  • Top Male 17 and Under: Luke Ellwood (Time: 16:31.8)

Sponsors of LCRF’s Fourteenth Annual Strides for Life included:

  • Pace Setter: New Mountain Capital
  • Single Stride: Citi Private Bank, Juice Press
  • Starting Line: Lung Cancer Screening Program at NewYork–Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medicine
  • Sprinter: Borah, Goldstein, Altschuler, Nahins & Goidel, P.C.; Genentech;, Weill Cornell Medicine Cardiothoracic Surgery

In-kind donations were received from Boxed Water is Better, Juice Press, Perfect Bar, and RXBAR.

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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 provided $33 million in research grants to investigators around the world. In addition to funding lung cancer research, the organization focuses on lung cancer awareness and educational programs. The Foundation also hosts community events nationwide through the Free to Breathe Event Series.

Posted in Uncategorized

The way we understand small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is about to change thanks to the research being conducted by LCRF grantee Dr. Trudy Oliver and her lab at the University of Utah. Dr. Oliver and team have discovered a genetic alteration, MYC, that drives how SCLC tumors develop. The MYC alteration discovery may lead to a new treatment that could target this specific alteration. SCLC, a particularly aggressive form of lung cancer, is in need of more options for treatment especially since the current overall 5-year survival rate is just 6%. Read more about the research being done by Dr. Oliver in this article on the Huntsman Cancer Institute website.

“We targeted MYC-positive tumors and saw remarkable results, including tumor shrinkage and tumor death and a significant extension in overall survival,” says Milind Chalishazar, a PhD student in the Oliver lab, who conducted the laboratory work. “This suggests that we have identified a potential new therapeutic strategy that will improve lung cancer outcomes in the future.”

LCRF is proud to support this study through the William C. Rippe Award for Distinguished Research in Lung Cancer, which was awarded to Dr. Oliver in 2018.

We recently had a conversation with Dr. Oliver about her research. Read the interview here.

Photo courtesy Huntsman Cancer Institute

Posted in Research, Women & Lung CancerTagged

By Cristina Chin

You may have come across the acronyms EFGR, ALK, ROS1 and many more—all associated with genetic alterations found in lung cancer tumors. Thanks to their discovery in the past decade, the dawn of personalized medicine was born, bringing with it an array of treatment options for patients with those specific alterations.

But what about small cell lung cancer (SCLC), a highly aggressive type of lung cancer with a slim overall 5-year survival rate of just 6%? Turns out, we are just beginning to uncover the possibilities of personalized medicine for SCLC.

“Small cell lung cancer has been treated as a singular disease for over 40 years until recent discoveries show there are in fact molecular subsets,” Dr. Trudy Oliver from University of Utah explained. Trudy and her lab, funded by a 2018 LCRF pilot grant, are testing a drug called ADI-PEG20 that treats a specific subtype of SCLC. “Back in 2017, we were able to find the presence of a certain genetic alteration called MYC in small cell lung cancer tumors. With our current LCRF grant funding we are testing a treatment for this particular MYC alteration.”

Tumors high in MYC shrink significantly when deprived of arginine, an amino acid found in protein-rich foods such as meats, nuts, and legumes that is naturally synthesized in the body. “When paired with [ADI-PEG20], an enzyme that chews up extracellular arginine, we actually see tumor shrinkage and even tumor death in MYC positive SCLC,” Trudy explained.

The current standard of care for SCLC is chemotherapy. In mouse models, the ADI-PEG20 drug performed remarkably better than over 16 comparable chemotherapy treatments. “And toxicity is not as much of a concern with ADI-PEG20 because arginine is organically made in our own bodies and there are newer studies suggesting it may stimulate the immune system.”

Trudy understands how daunting it can be to see a loved one receive a lung cancer diagnosis. “A few years ago, my mother got a low-dose CT scan that showed a nodule … we didn’t know if it would grow or not, so it was decided to just monitor it. And it really hit home how stressful it can be to not know what your best options are.” Trudy, inspired by her mother’s story, is working hard to change the outcomes for patients living with SCLC.

“Drug resistance and the evolving nature of cancer are a reality, so we need something that’s evolving as well to keep up. Our immune system is designed to evolve, and that needs to be part of the answer. Cancer prevention is so important – imaging technology can help find tumors early, before they’re nasty.”

Posted in Research

On junio 17, 2019 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda) for second or third-line treatment of patients with metastatic small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

Pembrolizumab is now the third immunotherapy drug available for this particularly aggressive type of lung cancer. This treatment indication expands upon the options for metastatic SCLC patients who are currently or have previously underwent chemotherapy and at least one other therapy but has continued to experience lung cancer disease progression.

This approval stems from the multi-cohort clinical trials of SCLC patients participating in either the KEYNOTE-028 or KEYNOTE-158 trials. The trial data show 94% of metastatic SCLC patients were responsive to treatment in the first six months. Serious adverse reactions such as pneumonia were observed in <2% of patients. Read more here

Posted in FDA News

Funding Provided with Support from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation

NEW YORK, NY (junio 11, 2019) – The Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF) today announced the awardees of the 2019 LCRF Research Grant on Disparities in Lung Cancer. With support from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) in loving memory of Kathryn Louloudis, LCRF awarded $300,000 in research grants for projects focused on overcoming disparities in lung cancer.

Lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer death worldwide, accounting for an estimated 143,000 deaths annually in the United States alone, and research shows that living with and being treated for lung cancer is not experienced equally for all Americans. The burden of this disease disproportionately affects certain groups such as low socioeconomic status populations, people living in certain geographic locations such as rural areas with limited healthcare resources, and different racial/ethnic groups. Moreover, despite progress to reduce the burden of tobacco use, disparities in tobacco-related morbidity and mortality remain.

“Research on disparities in lung cancer is an unmet need and is why funding on this topic is so critical,” said Brendon M. Stiles, MD, Chair of LCRF’s Board of Directors. “Certain groups of individuals are either more susceptible due to biological or environmental factors or have limited access to quality care. We are confident that the projects we are funding will lead to advancements in the field that will help to overcome some of these gaps.”

In keeping with previous LCRF funding mechanisms, this research grant is rigorously designed to adhere to guidelines based on criteria from the National Cancer Institute and leading cancer centers to identify the most impactful grant applications. A comprehensive approach involving multiple reviews and deliberation by LCRF’s Scientific Advisory Board to critically assess and identify research of the highest caliber was utilized to select the awardees.

Upon release, LCRF received a strong response to the request for proposals (RFP), receiving 43 applications representing 10 countries and 39 academic institutions. This funding mechanism will provide $150,000 over a period of two years ($75,000 per year), and this year’s grantees include Dr. Manali Patel from Stanford University and Dr. Betsy Risendal from the University of Colorado.

Dr. Patel’s research project is titled, “Reducing Disparities in Lung Cancer through Community Partnerships” and will focus on utilizing social support to engage patients in their care and improve access to end-of-life cancer care for low-income and minority patients with advanced stages of cancer.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to reduce lung cancer disparities with support from this award from the Lung Cancer Research Foundation,” said Dr. Patel. “Achieving equitable outcomes in lung cancer requires a stakeholder engaged approach from healthcare delivery systems, patients, caregivers, payers and policy makers. Our work, supported by this grant, will allow us to convene these stakeholders to improve equitable lung cancer care delivery and reduce inequitable outcomes from these diseases.”

Dr. Risendal’s research project is titled “Improving Preventive Care to Address Lung Cancer Disparities” and will seek to address disparities in lung cancer screening with the overall goal of increasing uptake and delivery of screening to vulnerable populations.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to address lung cancer disparities by building on our recently completed pilot work at the University of Colorado Cancer Center,” said Dr. Risendal. “National data suggest that only 4% of people who could benefit have received lung cancer screening, and our pilot work identified some important barriers we can address with this new funding from the Lung Cancer Research Foundation. Through the provision of education, technical assistance and outreach we hope to ultimately increase the uptake and delivery of this life-saving preventive screening.”

Kathryn Louloudis joined the Stavros Niarchos Group in 1985, before the establishment of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, and went on to serve as Chief Operating Officer and President of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation’s New York office. The Stavros Niarchos Foundation is supporting lung cancer research to honor the commitment, strength, and dignity Kathryn brought to her work.

“Kathryn’s hard work, generosity, kindness, and force of personality left an indelible impression on all of us at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation. Supporting an initiative that aims to attain lasting improvement in health outcomes, addressing at the same time debilitating inequalities in health services, is a fitting tribute to a remarkable person. We wish Drs. Patel and Risendal the best for progress in their invaluable research,” said SNF Co-President Andreas Dracopoulos.

More information about Dr. Patel’s and Dr. Risendal’s projects may be found on the LCRF website at: lcrf.org/currentgrants

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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 provided $33 million in research grants to investigators around the world. In addition to funding lung cancer research, the organization focuses on lung cancer awareness and educational programs. The Foundation also hosts community events nationwide through its Free to Breathe Events Program.

For more information, visit www.lcrf.org

About the Stavros Niarchos Foundation

The Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) is one of the world’s leading private, international philanthropic organizations, making grants in the areas of arts and culture, education, health and sports, and social welfare. Since 1996, the Foundation has committed more than $2.7 billion, through more than 4,500 grants to nonprofit organizations in 124 nations around the world.

SNF funds organizations and projects worldwide that aim to achieve a broad, lasting, and positive impact for society at large and exhibit strong leadership and sound management. The Foundation also supports projects that facilitate the formation of public-private partnerships as an effective means for serving public welfare.

Posted in Announcements, Grants

The Lung Cancer Research Foundation was featured on the may 26 episode of WISC-TV’s For the Record, hosted by Josh Spreiter. WISC-TV News3 Channel3000 is the media partner for Madison Free to Breathe Yoga, which was the focus of the segment.

The half-hour show explored why raising money and awareness for lung cancer research is a natural fit for yoga, and how viewers can get involved.

Dennis Chillemi, LCRF Executive Director; Natalie Koberstein from presenting partner Dragonfly Hot Yoga, and Joanne Adducci-Schulz, captain of Team Tweety, shared their personal stories and motivation. Madison Free to Breathe Yoga will be held Saturday, junio 15. To register, visit lcrf.org/madison.

Posted in Uncategorized
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