Our February newsletter
Driving Progress in Lung Cancer Research through New Awards
At this pivotal time in lung cancer research, when many have been forced to limit their support of research due to the COVID-19 pandemic, LUNGevity is expanding its translational research awards program. This month, LUNGevity issued five requests for applications (RFA) to fund translation research, continuing our long-term strategic investment in lung cancer research.
LUNGevity is pleased to once more fund our Career Development Awards program, now in its 10th year, which supports future research leaders who will keep the field of lung cancer research vibrant with new ideas, and our Early Detection Award Program, which supports the development of strategies for the early detection and/or diagnosis of lung cancer.
New this year, LUNGevity is offering three research awards to support research from and/or for underrepresented populations:
- The VA Research Scholar Award Program supports investigators interested in lung cancer research within the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- The Health Equity and Inclusiveness Junior Investigator Research Award Program supports physician-scientists interested in conducting lung cancer clinical research and bridging health disparities by engaging underserved communities/underrepresented minorities.
- The Health Equity and Inclusiveness Research Fellow Award Program supports fellows who belong to underrepresented minorities in STEM who are interested in lung cancer research.
Since 2002, LUNGevity has invested in 133 projects at 59 institutions across 23 states. We are thrilled for the opportunity to build our investment in research this year with these additional research award programs.
There are many ways you can help fund these impactful grants. Learn more about how you can help.
LUNGevity Research Featured at the World Conference on Lung Cancer
Findings from three of LUNGevity’s Patient-Focused Research Center (PatientFoRCe) projects were presented at the 2020 International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer’s World Conference on Lung Cancer, which was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Two of the abstracts included results from LUNGevity’s Project PRIORITY, a research study in partnership with the patient group EGFR Resisters.
Upal Basu Roy, PhD, MPH, LUNGevity’s Executive Director of Research
One abstract addressed perceptions of palliative care and prognostic awareness of lung cancer treatment, and the other focused on how patients perceive their treating doctors and engage in medical decision-making. A third abstract included results from a needs assessment of lung cancer patients and caregivers navigating a post-shelter-in-place era in the United States during COVID-19.
These studies are essential to uncovering gaps, misperceptions, and areas of unmet needs for lung cancer patients. Presenting at World Lung ensures all relevant stakeholders (including clinicians, regulators, and industry partners) are made aware of the study findings and implications in order to drive practice change.
To learn more about the exciting findings and updates announced at this year’s World Conference on Lung Cancer, read Dr. Upal Basu Roy’s conference summary blog.
Better Understanding of What Patients Want From Their Treatment
Results from Project Transform – a collaboration between LUNGevity Foundation’s Patient FoRCe and The Ohio State University – were recently published in the journal Current Medical Research and Opinion.\
The fourth manuscript from Project Transform, "Line of therapy and patient preferences regarding lung cancer treatment: A discrete-choice experiment," shows that patients who are on their first lung cancer treatment (1st line of therapy, or "1 LOT") have different treatment preferences than patients who are on their second (or additional) treatments (≥2 LOT).
Specifically, ≥2 LOT patients placed emphasis on a drug providing less short-term side effects and a less intensive mode of how the treatment is given (preference for taking a pill over getting an infusion). These findings demonstrate that patient preferences should be taken into account when discussing treatment options.
More abstracts and manuscripts from Project Transform are listed on the Project Transform website.
Read more about other Patient FoRCE studies here and learn about participating in our current study, Project PEER.
Join Us this Spring and Support Lung Cancer!
eRACE Lung Cancer returns for its second year from May 1-31, 2021. The event lets runners, swimmers, cyclists, and other athletes from across the country choose their own distance, location, date, and time to race with one common goal: to erase lung cancer. Pick your activity, set your goal, and start fundraising to support lifesaving lung cancer research. The event includes several new activities, features, and tools, so be sure to check out the event page to learn more and register for free.
Introducing Breathe Deep Your Way! This fun do-it-yourself twist on Breathe Deep allows you to participate and fundraise to help raise awareness and money for lung cancer your way. Baking, tennis tournaments, game nights, birthdays, hobbies – your only limits are your own creativity. Check out our website for more information and to register today.
