LCRF’s 2024 Scientific Symposium was held November 4 as part of our Lung Cancer Awareness Month activities. Joining the record-breaking group online were event lead and moderator, Kathryn O’Donnell, PhD; our chat moderator, Isabel Preeshagul, DO, MBS; and speakers Brendon M. Stiles, MD; Colleen Conner Ziegler; Mark Awad, MD, PhD; Hossein Borghaei, DO, MS; Lauren Averett Byers, MD; Joseph A. Greer, PhD; and Don Nguyen, PhD, BSc.
Introducing our 2024 Team LCRF runners who will be doing the TCS New York City Marathon on November 3! Read more below about this year’s amazing group of marathoners who are raising awareness and fundraising for lung cancer research.
“The Lung Cancer Research Foundation holds a special place due to the emotional impact of losing my mother in July 2022. Supporting this foundation becomes a meaningful way to channel grief into a positive force, contributing to vital research that may prevent others from enduring similar losses. It transforms personal pain into a collective effort for a cause that holds deep personal significance.”
“I am so happy to be a part of Team LCRF so that I can fundraise and run in honor of my dad, who I lost to small cell lung cancer in 2017. I truly believe in the power of science and research that can make a difference for others moving forward.”
Proudest running accomplishment: “Running a ‘redemption’ half where I was able to finish faster and stronger than my first try!”
Best training partners: “I’m lucky to have two of my best friends as training partners. We are each other’s biggest cheerleaders and help to hold each other accountable when it gets hard! I could never train or finish any race without them.”
“I’m running in honor of my grandfather, who was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2022. He is and always has been my biggest supporter, although he still doesn’t quite understand why I enjoy running so much. LCRF does critical work in support of all those affected by lung cancer, and I’m thrilled to be a part of the Team and run for a cause personal to me and my family.”
Proudest running accomplishment: “Finishing the 2023 Marine Corps Marathon, my first.”
Favorite food while training: “Pizza and ice cold Diet Coke”
“I lost my mother in January to lung cancer so I am running in her memory. Between the personal link with family and what I see in my patients daily, I know the importance of research into more accessible treatments and hopefully a cure.”
“Lung cancer has had a direct impact on my family having lost my father, my father-in-law, my uncle and an aunt-in-law and uncle-in-law. I have experienced this disease as a caregiver and as someone who has lost many loved ones. I first started running in support of my father as he battled this disease in my first Free to Breathe walk over 9 years ago. I now run in memory of him and in support of this disease that I truly believe with this type of support can one day have a cure.”
Proudest running accomplishment: “My very first 5k over the Brooklyn Bridge with Free to Run Brooklyn in 2015 with my Dad cheering me on as he was mid treatment. And finishing my first half marathon 2024!”
On my playlist: “Whitney Houston’s greatest hits are always part of my running playlists!”
“NYC is Marathon #5 for me, and being a part of team LCRF is special for me as I raised money in honor of a close friend whose life was cut short by lung cancer, Kelley (Kuntz) MacDonald. I’m proud to represent such a great organization and do it while getting the opportunity to run, something Kelley and I both loved.”
Proudest running accomplishment: “Running my first sub-4 marathon at the 2023 Chicago marathon”
On my playlist: “I either run to EDM mash-ups, true-crime podcasts, or Ed Sheeran :)”
“In running this marathon, I am hoping to do more than honor the memory and strength of the loved ones I’ve lost to lung cancer. I want to raise funds to support the vital research efforts of the Lung Cancer Research Foundation. With every stride and drop of sweat, I aim to contribute towards a future where no one loses a family member or a friend to lung cancer. “
Proudest running accomplishment: “In high school I ran a 4:34 mile!”
On my playlist: “I listen to live shows from EDM artist Fisher.”
“I’m joining Team LCRF for the 2024 NYC Marathon in honor of my grandmother, who battled lung cancer throughout my childhood.”
Proudest running accomplishment: “Running the NYRR Fred Lebow Half-Marathon with my sister, Julia.”
Rest day routine: “On my rest day, I like to relax by cooking and watching TV shows.”
“I am running in honor of my mother Elaine, whose life was cut (way too) short at 47 by lung cancer, and to make my wife (Hayley) and kids (Emma and Alex) proud. While my family never had the opportunity to meet my mother, the older I get, the more I realize how similar I am to her. She was an avid runner and would be so proud of my accomplishments.
Training for a marathon while holding down a full time job and parenting two young kids is no easy feat; however, it pales in comparison to battling lung cancer. I am pushing my lungs to the max for those who can’t and with hope that in time, we will have a cure.”
Proudest running accomplishment: “Crossing the finish line at the 2023 New York City Marathon! Now it’s time to take everything I have learned and apply it for round two.”
Favorite food while training: Lots of pizza the night before a race!
“I have lost two amazing people to lung cancer who lived active and healthy lives. My father passed away in 2002 and was my lifelong ski buddy! Isabella De La Houssaye was a friend that showed how to live an active life. I am running for them!”
Proudest running accomplishment: “Just finished a ten mile race in 6:50 splits.”
Favorite food while training: “Homemade Bolognese”
“Running with Team LCRF is a great honor. My grandma, Margaret Ward, battled lung cancer for many years and I am honored to be able to run in memory of her. My fond memories of her wit and laughter will be a huge boost for me on the course.”
Proudest running accomplishment: “Running the Brooklyn Half in 1hr 36min!”
Favorite food while training: “Favorite food while training has got to be al pastor tacos.”
“Being a part of Team LCRF is so important to me because my mom was unexpectedly diagnosed with lung cancer in April of 2023. As a non-smoker, this diagnosis came as a total shock to our family and we searched for answers. My mom has continued to fight over the last year, so the least I can do is run 26.2 miles to help end lung cancer!”
Proudest running accomplishment: “Running the Boston Marathon three times!”
On my playlist: “My running playlist consists of Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa, and Noah Kahan.”
“I usually run in trail ultra events but thought if I am going run a big city marathon I would want to take the opportunity to raise some money that can make a real difference to people’s lives.”
Proudest running accomplishment: “My longest run to date: The West Highland Way in Scotland. 96 miles from Glasgow to Fort William.”
Favorite food while training: “Salt and vinegar crisps (chips) and bananas on long training runs.”
“I have been an oncology hematology nurse for 9 years and have worked closely with many patients who are battling lung cancer. I am running for my patients!!”
Proudest running accomplishment: “Surfer Santa 5k, where I placed 1st”
Best training partner: “Chelsea has been my training partner, motivating each other on long runs.”
On my playlist: “Creed, Nickelback, and of course Biggie.”
“I’m running to support the research surrounding Lung Cancer in honor of Reina Honts. I’m a squash coach for Reina’s daughter and have formed a strong connection with the Honts family and their story. I admire Reina for what she has overcome and I would like to do my part in helping support LCRF. Thank you for the opportunity!”
Proudest running accomplishment: “Completing the LA Marathon 2023”
“I am running in honor of my grandfather who I lost to lung cancer many years ago. Although I was young, I remember how much he and his loved ones suffered. By fundraising for Team LCRF, I hope to help improve lung cancer patients’ chances of survival and quality of life.”
Proudest running accomplishment: “Ran a 15K Tough Mudder on Stratton Mountain!”
“Being a part of Team LCRF is important to me because I’ve seen the effect of lung cancer first hand. I want to put an end to it. The incredible stories of how the LCRF has impacted individuals lives throughout their cancer journey has inspired me to run and help them in their fight.”
Proudest running accomplishment: “Running the Dopey 4-Day Challenge. It was a back-to-back running race that started with a 5km run Thursday, 10km run Friday, 1/2 marathon Saturday and finished with a Full Marathon on Sunday!”
Favorite food while training: “Favorite food while training has been the Honey Stinger fruit smoothie gels! They’re actually tasty and go down super smooth.”
“We are inspired by our generous, kind, forever supportive father, who is currently kicking lung cancer’s ass. As anyone lucky enough to know him can attest, his tremendous joy for life is infectious. LCRF has been instrumental in developing targeted therapy treatments that can be a game changer for families like ours. Your support means the world to us!”
“I want to raise as much money as possible to help the affected and their loved ones. LCRF is an organization near and dear to my family’s heart and I am honored to have the opportunity to run for them.”
This year’s Pittsburgh Chinese Golf Association (PCGA) Annual Tournament was dedicated to PCGA’s founder and president, Dr. Baocheng Zhang, who passed away in May from lung cancer. The event was held October 13 at Quicksilver Golf Club in Midway, PA, and raised $10,650 for lung cancer research.
After golf, the 44 participants gathered for an awards ceremony which included a special dedication to Dr. Zhang. Special thanks to Eddie Zhang, Dr. Baocheng Zhang’s son, for planning this event in memory of his father.
Business sponsors included: Westinghouse Electric Company, Shanghai Tokyo / Zen Restaurant and Sushi Bar (Joe Zhou), Beyond Education International (Mike Lin), Pho Van Pittsburgh (Steve Weng), Smart Financial Group (DJ Ng), General Mortgage Capital Corporation (Amanda Liu). Generous personal donations came from Eddie Zhang, Ben Zhao, Adam Yuan, Yun Long, Ziqing Zhang, Yimin Lu, and Eugene Zhang.
Free to Breathe Walk weekend gave survivors, caregivers, friends, family, medical staff, and other supporters an opportunity to join forces to fund lung cancer research.
Walk events took place in Chicago and Kansas City, and others were invited to join the Free to Breathe Anywhere Walk in their own neighborhoods. Walkers and their teams will continue to fundraise through the end of the year.
In Kansas City, 120 participants raised $20,000 and enjoyed an uplifting day of community which included a 3-mile walk route. Special thanks to committee members Stephanie Brunkhorst, Steve Shelton, and Shana Abdullah for their efforts to bring the event to life. Steve shared his own lung cancer story during the opening ceremony.
Chicago‘s walk brought 550 participants together who raised over $140,000 for research. The morning featured family friendly activities such as face painting and tae kwon do, as well as a 2-mile walk route. LCRF board member Tejal Patel was the emcee for the opening ceremony, and Michelle Cihla shared her story as a survivor.
Learn more about the Free to Breathe program at LCRF.org/walk.
Anywhere Walk teams participated from places as varied as California, Colorado, New Hampshire, and Washington, DC – with more walking in the coming weeks. Watch the Free to Breathe Anywhere Walk opening ceremony here:
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved amivantamab-vmjw for two new indications for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with common epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 19 deletions and exon 21 L858R substitution mutations.
Why it’s important
Amivantamab is a bispecific antibody which means that it has two different targets, EGFR and MET. It has already been approved in the treatment of NSCLC with EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations
The first new approval is for the initial treatment of advanced NSCLC with common EGFR mutations. This was based on the results of the MARIPOSA trial. In this study, over 1,000 patients were treated with lazertinib with or without amivantamab or osimertinib. The outcome of the trial indicated that the length of time the cancer was controlled [progression-free survival (PFS)] was 23.7 months for the lazertinib and amivantamab group and 16.6 months for patients treated with osimertinib alone. It was too early to determine whether the patients who received lazertinib and amivantamab lived longer.
The second approval came from the MARIPOSA-2 study. Patients with advanced NSCLC with common EGFR mutations whose disease progressed after osimertinib received chemotherapy with or without amivantamab or amivantamab alone. The PFS was 6.3 months for patients who received the chemotherapy plus amivantamab compared to 4.2 months for the patients who received chemotherapy alone. There was no significant improvement in the survival of the patients who received both drugs, but the results are still early, and an additional analysis will be needed.
What it means for patients
Many advances have been made with the treatment of patients with EGFR mutant NSCLC. The fact that amivantamab has been FDA approved for initial treatment and after disease progression is a clear indication that progress is being made. This is very important because patients with advanced disease are usually not cured with current therapy. The use of amivantamab represents another available treatment option. It should be noted that using two treatments instead of one does come with more side effects, but these were managed on both MARIPOSA trials. It is important to discuss these new treatments along with their benefits and side effects with your oncologist.
What to look for
There are trials that are trying to minimize the side effects of amivantamab to make treatment easier. For instance, work is being done to allow the drug to be given via a needle under the skin rather than through the vein. This reduces the infusion reactions and lessens the time needed to deliver the drug. Even more important research is continuing in this field with the development of new agents, and efforts are underway to understand the reasons these cancers become resistant to treatment. The ultimate intention of these efforts is to find a cure for patients with NSCLC and EGFR mutations.
The Lung Cancer Research Foundation’s annual Evening of Innovation gala celebrated scientific discovery and the remarkable people who have contributed to the progress being made in the lung cancer space. The event raised more than $650,000 for lung cancer research that will continue lifesaving breakthroughs in diagnosis and treatment.
This year’s gala, held at The Metropolitan Club in Manhattan on Sept. 24, honored Mark G. Kris, MD, thoracic oncologist and the William and Joy Ruane Chair in Thoracic Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Dr. Kris was a vital member of LCRF’s Scientific Advisory Board for over 10 years and played an essential role in building its research program. His guidance to the founding members of LCRF shaped its strategic trajectory, and his leadership and direction empower LCRF to fund the brightest minds and make the biggest impact for patients.
Dr. Kris with Mary Ann Tighe & Dr. David HidalgoDr. Kris accepts his award
From the speech given by Dr. David Hidalgo outlining the highlights of Dr. Kris’s extraordinary career; to the testimonials given by patient Tejal Patel and others whose lives he touched; to the special guest appearance of Debby Boone; to the applause of the room; and the sheer number of family, friends, colleagues, mentors and mentees in attendance; it was a truly meaningful evening.
Dr. Kris, in his acceptance speech, acknowledged everyone that helped shape his career as a clinician and a scientist, and shared his vision of the future of lung cancer research. He began and ended by encouraging everyone in the room to work toward a cure for lung cancer. “When you lay your head down on the pillow tonight, dream about a cure. Because if you can dream of it, a cure can happen.”
“Life can turn on a dime.” It’s a phrase we all know. Yet at age 62, I never thought that saying would apply to me.
But it did. My life was forever changed on a cold morning in January 2017 at my first appointment with Dr. Mark Kris.
Dr. Kris told me I had Stage Four lung cancer and that I was a very sick woman. He urged me to get my financial affairs in order and that I qualified as “disabled” in medical parlance.
My focus instantly shifted to receiving the best medical care possible to extend my life. And thus began my continuing journey with Dr Kris, one that has had its ups and downs, but that makes me hopeful it will last many more years.
Early on, Dr. Kris recommended I participate in a drug trial protocol that combined Avastin and Tagrrisso, two different cancer drugs. Today, I remain on Tagrisso.
Because the tumors had shrunk substantially I was then able to have surgeries at the one-year and 4-1/2-year marks to remove cancerous tissue from my right lung. But today, I am “no evidence of disease,” I feel great, and I walk more than five miles daily.
I attended my son’s wedding in 2022, I continue to work, and I enjoy a full and rich life. For all of this, I have Dr. Kris to thank.
For the last seven years, I have depended on his medical prowess, as well as his empathy and attention. I think of him as my savior and real-life guardian angel.
Dr. Kris saved my life, against all odds. I remain on his prescribed therapy regimen, and he continues to oversee the treatment of my disease. I give thanks to Dr. Kris with every breath I take.
I am so grateful to you, Dr. Kris. A heartfelt thanks to you for saving my life and those of so many others. Your extraordinary reputation is widespread.
When others ask me who my physician is and I tell them it’s Dr. Kris, the responses are unanimous. “He’s the best,” they tell me. And that is absolutely true.
Drs. Lyudmila Bazhenova, Jyoti Patel, and Isabel Preeshagul discussed the news from this year’s World Conference on Lung Cancer – the world’s largest meeting dedicated to lung cancer and other thoracic malignancies.
The area around Park City, UT, is known for its natural beauty, world-class ski slopes and trails. Like many of those who make Park City their home, Bill often enjoyed trail running, mountain biking, and back country skiing. “I’d wake up at 5 in the morning. I’d go to the gym, I’d eat well. I was doing everything right,” he said.
Bill with his family
So he took it in stride when he pulled his back shoveling snow a year and a half ago. “When you get to your 40s, that stuff happens.” But the pain lasted longer than he expected, and he was told he had a mild scoliosis. After nearly three months of twice-weekly physical therapy with no improvement, Bill scheduled an MRI. But a few days before his appointment he seized up to the point he couldn’t walk – and ended up in the emergency room.
That’s when he found out he had lung cancer. “It had spread all the way up my spine and into my brain and down my hips. It was wildly metastatic.”
In this short clip, Bill talks about the moment he learned his diagnosis
He was taken by ambulance to a major hospital. “My spine had essentially crumbled from the cancer itself,” he explained. He had a kyphoplasty, where bone cement is injected into the spine, but in post-op, it exploded.
In the meantime, his wife, Sloan, was doing her own research. She called on an oncologist friend who recommended biomarker testing, and soon Bill was at Huntsman Cancer Institute. He had radiation and a spinal fusion; the biomarker results showed his cancer had the EGFR exon 21 mutation. “That’s when there was actual hope,” he said. After starting targeted therapy, “within a month it was amazing. Like, my whole life had changed completely,” he said.
“I thought I was done for. The osimertinib really changed everything.”
Bill also wants to draw attention to some of the risk factors that fly under the radar. “My big thing is radon,” he said. “I’m trying to bring about more radon awareness, especially out here in the intermountain region, and I’m on the Utah Radon Board.”
He also is sharing information with a biotech company, which is tracking his data points as he goes through treatment.
Bill’s journey hasn’t been free of complications, however. Gallstones were a separate issue that required several surgeries to remove them and, ultimately, his gallbladder. Subsequent testing showed that while his brain and spine metastases were shrinking, his lung mass was growing quickly.
Bill is now in a clinical trial and feeling positive about his progress. “You know, 10 years ago my wife’s father had prostate cancer – stage 4, like my diagnosis. That was a death sentence, right? But now, it’s totally different. These clinical trials are helping prolong my life and other people’s lives so much.”
Groups develop Request for Proposals for research grants focused on lung cancers harboring HER2 mutations and/or other HER2 alterations
NEW YORK, NY (September 5, 2024) – The Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF) is pleased to announce its collaboration with Bayer Pharmaceuticals to fund two research grants focused on innovative strategies to advance understanding and management of lung cancers harboring HER2 mutations and/or other HER2 alterations.
This collaboration seeks to address important mechanistic questions and developmental therapeutics across the care continuum for HER2-mutant NSCLC, and has the potential to improve patient outcomes.
“LCRF is delighted to collaborate with Bayer to identify and support outstanding lung cancer research projects that will help develop treatments for this specific set of lung cancers,” says Kathryn O’Donnell, PhD, LCRF Scientific Advisory Board chair. “Expanding the treatment options available to patients affected by HER2 mutations or alterations is an important and exciting area in lung cancer research.”
“We are delighted to encourage and support groundbreaking research via this new LCRF initiative. This collaboration underscores our ongoing commitment to patients living with lung cancer, and our unwavering drive to advance precision oncology in disease areas with the highest unmet needs,” said Abdelali Majdi, MD, Head of Global Medical Affairs Precision Oncology & Pipeline at Bayer’s Pharmaceuticals Division.
Lung cancer is responsible for more deaths worldwide than any other cancer, accounting for an estimated 130,180 deaths annually in the United States alone.[1] Globally, there are approximately 1.8 million new cases of lung cancer every year and over 1.6 million deaths. [2] The last 10 to 15 years have seen accelerated clinical trials and regulatory approvals of targeted therapies for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in part due to advances in molecular profiling of tumors.
Many of these targeted therapies are directed against oncogenic drivers. The HER family of tyrosine kinases include HER1 (epidermal growth factor receptor [EGFR] or ERBB1), HER2 (HER2/neu or ERBB2), HER3, and HER4. EGFR mutations were one of the first oncogenic drivers that were successfully targeted with the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
Despite substantial progress in this area, available treatments are generally not curative, and resistance invariably develops. Twenty years ago, HER2 mutations were also identified as potential oncogenic drivers in lung cancer. Activating mutations of HER2 (mostly exon 20 insertions, such as HER2 YVMA) occur in up to 4% of NSCLC. Until recently, developing effective HER2-targeted therapies for lung cancer has been a challenge.
Immunotherapeutic strategies have not been successful in the treatment of lung cancers with genomic alterations such as HER2 mutations. It is of vital importance that there is a better understanding of the mechanism of tumor response and resistance. Moreover, given that therapeutic options available to date are not curative, there is a need for novel approaches to treat HER2-mutant lung cancers.
The LCRF | Bayer Lung Cancer Research Award will focus on the science behind HER2 alterations as oncogenic drivers of malignancy and/or the development of novel therapeutic approaches for patients with tumors harboring HER2 mutations and/or other HER2 alterations. To be notified when the Request for Proposals is open for submissions, go to LCRF.org/HER2-RFP.
To learn more about LCRF and its grants program, visit LCRF.org.
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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 419 research grants, totaling nearly $44 million, the highest amount provided by a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding lung cancer research. For more information, visit LCRF.org.
Vaccines for the prevention and or treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are being studied in new clinical trials.
Why it’s important
Vaccines have long been used to successfully prevent the development of certain infectious diseases. Vaccines are substances used to stimulate the immune system. They often contain an inactivated or weakened form of the causative pathogen (virus, bacteria, etc.) or portions of the same agent. Over the years, vaccines have been developed for the treatment of cancer but unfortunately have not been very effective. New technology has become available based on the development of the vaccines used to quell the Covid-19 pandemic.
Lung cancer cells are not normal and will carry proteins on the cell surface called neoantigens that can serve as targets for the immune e system. Researchers at the University of Oxford have initiated the LungVax project aimed at employing a vaccine to prevent the development of lung cancer in patients at high risk.
Another lung cancer vaccine, BNT116, is a messenger RNA vaccine (similar to Covid-19 vaccines) that works by stimulating the immune system with the presentation of tumor markers from NSCLC. An early phase trial (phase 1) has recently started in the UK treating patients with NSCLC.
What it means for patients
Immunotherapy has become very important in the treatment of NSCLC. Vaccines are another form of immunotherapy that are directed at specific abnormalities on the cancer cell. It is a treatment that is old, but at the same time, new again because of novel technology. Trials involving these vaccines are in very early development and we will not know what they will mean for patients for quite some time.
What to look for
Expect to see the development of more vaccines that will enter clinical trials covering a number of different scenarios in the treatment of lung cancer. A phase 2 trial is currently underway assessing the BNT116 vaccine in combination with the checkpoint inhibitor cemiplimab as first therapy for patients with advanced NSCLC whose tumors express PD-L1 ≥50% (NCT05557591). More to come!
