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Advancing Comprehensive Biomarker Testing
An article by Andrea Ferris, president and CEO of LUNGevity, was recently featured in an online edition of USA Today.
The article focuses on the importance of comprehensive biomarker testing for patients with advanced-stage NSCLC. At LUNGevity, we are focused on accelerating access to comprehensive biomarker testing and believe that every lung cancer patient should ask their doctor about the benefits of advancements in precision medicine. Read the full article.
LUNGevity’s biomarker expertise was also showcased when the Foundation was invited to present at the College of American Pathologists (CAP) Biomarkers Bootcamp.
The bootcamp, which preceded the Cancer Biomarkers III conference in Houston, was attended by pathologists, oncologists, diagnostic and pharma/biotech representatives involved in cancer biomarkers and companion diagnostics.
Nikki Martin, LUNGevity’s Director of Precision Medicine, represented the Foundation. A highlight of her presentation was an interview with lung cancer patient Rachael Malmberg, who shared her experience at a community hospital and at Mayo Clinic with diagnosis, biomarker testing and treatment, ongoing self-education and engagement in the advocacy community.
Nikki’s session sparked a lot of dialogue about patient-friendly lab reports and other materials, which she will pursue in follow-up meetings with CAP and industry leaders.
This is an important step forward to educate healthcare providers on the lived experience of lung cancer patients and why healthcare practices need to change.
LUNGevity and ALK Positive partner to fund research
LUNGevity and ALK Positive, a group of more than 1,000 ALK-positive lung cancer patients and their caregivers, announced three ALK Positive Lung Cancer Transformational Research Awards. The grants, awarded with funds raised by ALK Positive, support high-impact research that seeks to quickly improve outcomes for ALK-positive lung cancer patients.
These new projects will explore why immunotherapy has not been successful in treating ALK-positive lung cancer and test new immunotherapy approaches in ALK-positive lung cancer. They include:
Characterization of anti-ALK immunologic responses in ALK-positive NSCLC: Mark Awad, MD, PhD, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Overcoming innate immune resistance in ALK-rearranged lung cancer: Justin Gainor, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital
Targeting the complement pathway in ALK positive lung cancer: Raphael Nemenoff, PhD, University of Colorado Denver, AMC and DC
Find more information about the awards and the partnership on our website, and download an informational flyer for ALK-positive patients.
Mark Awad, MD, PhD
Justin Gainor, MD
Raphael Nemenoff, PhD
LUNGevity and HOPE Summit Alumni attend Stand Up To Cancer telecast
Because of LUNGevity's longstanding relationship with Stand Up To Cancer and our partnership in funding the first Lung Cancer Interception Dream Team, Sung Poblete, president and CEO of Stand Up To Cancer, spoke as the keynote speaker at the National HOPE Summit in Washington, DC, in April 2018. During this speech, Sung extended invitations to LUNGevity and all of the HOPE Summit attendees to participate at their upcoming telecast as special guests of SU2C.
LUNGevity President and CEO Andrea Ferris and many of our HOPE Summit alumni attended the Stand Up To Cancer telecast on Friday, September 7, celebrating 10 years of making an impact with groundbreaking cancer research. It included musical performances by Stevie Wonder, Little Big Town, and Charlie Wilson.
LUNGevity is proud of our partnership with SU2C and the American Lung Association’s LUNG FORCE to fund two research teams to intercept lung cancer at its earliest stage.
Andrea Ferris and LUNGevity's HOPE Summit alumni at SU2C telecast
Exciting upcoming events
Regional HOPE Summits
LUNGevity’s Regional HOPE Summits, conferences that educate, empower, and create a community of support for lung cancer survivors, are coming to Columbus and Chicago this fall!
Regional HOPE Summits are unique one-day conferences that provide an opportunity for local communities to come together to find the latest information on treatments and living with lung cancer, as well as to be surrounded by other people impacted by this disease.
Learn more and register for a Summit near you here.
Breathe Deep
Breathe Deep walks are happening across the country this September and October. People living with lung cancer are joined by family, friends, and advocates each year to walk, run, and volunteer to raise money and awareness for lifesaving research, education, and support.
This fall welcomes two new events to the Breathe Deep calendar, Breathe Deep Morgantown on September 30 and Breathe Deep Richmond on November 10.
Resource highlight: LUNGevity blogs
LUNGevity publishes weekly or biweekly blogs with topics such as Survivor Stories, Volunteer Voices, Experts Blogs, and more. These blogs can be great education and support resources.
Check out some of our recent posts, including Our New Normal by caregiver Gary Nerstad and Hope on the Horizon for KRAS-positive Lung Cancer Patients by LUNGevity’s Dr. Upal Basu Roy and LUNGevity grantee Dr. Frank Slack.
