Happy new year and welcome to the newsletter from LUNGevity's ALK Patient Gateway.
It has been 20 years since researchers discovered the role of the EGFR gene in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which led to a revolution in targeted therapy for this disease. Many patients with actionable driver mutations in their tumors, including ALK-positive lung cancer, have benefited from this advancement and are living for years with good quality of life. Nevertheless, there is more work to be done to continue improving outcomes for people living with ALK-positive lung cancer.
Two big questions for many patients with ALK-positive NSCLC are related to treatment sequencing and treatment resistance. In a recent comparison of brigatinib vs. alectinib in patients whose cancer has progressed on crizotinib, these two newer-generation ALK drugs performed similarly. This is important because it gives patients options after their tumors develop treatment resistance and begin to grow again.
Finally, the big development in the NSCLC space is the use of targeted therapies in patients with early-stage disease. Patients with fully resected (removed by surgery) ALK-positive NSCLC who received alectinib in the adjuvant (after surgery) setting experienced longer disease-free survival (DFS) than patients receiving chemotherapy. This news is encouraging and reinforces the importance of providing comprehensive biomarker testing to all people diagnosed with NSCLC, regardless of stage.
Research News
Patient Worthy
ICYMI: Alecensa Exhibited Unprecedented Results for Patients with Early-Stage Lung Cancer
Published Oct 2, 2023
American Journal of Managed Care
Dr Mark Socinski on How Targeted Therapies Have Impacted Lung Cancer Outcomes
Published Dec 21, 2023
Targeted Oncology
Brigatinib Not Superior to Alectinib in ALK-Positive NSCLC
Published Sep 7, 2023
Hospital Healthcare Europe (HHE)
Alectinib shows promise in early-stage ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer
Published Sep 8, 2023
Get Connected
Join us for the ALK Virtual Meetup
It’s the easy way to build your community. Each month, you can connect with others who understand what it’s like to live with ALK+ lung cancer. The next ALK Virtual Meetup is happening on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, at 12 pm ET. Register for the ALK Meetup to get a confirmation email with details about how to join the virtual meeting. Can’t make it? Don’t worry, there’s a full list of
virtual meetups to fit your schedule.
Register for the HOPE Summit
Join us in Atlanta for this free conference May 3-5, 2024. This event features inspirational speakers and lung cancer experts to answer questions and offer tips for addressing the everyday issues that come up for people living with lung cancer. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear directly from lung cancer survivors and caregivers who have a firsthand view of what it is like to survive and thrive after a lung cancer diagnosis. Financial assistance for travel may be available. Learn more.
Have You Seen?
Helpful Apps for People Living with Cancer
As mobile apps become more ingrained in our lives, it’s natural to look for ones that can help manage a cancer diagnosis. LUNGevity Foundation has assembled a list of helpful apps to consider as you navigate a diagnosis. Read it here.
What Are the Phases of Clinical Trials?
Lung cancer clinical trials are carefully designed research studies to evaluate and learn more about new drugs and treatments. Clinical trials are often described as phase 1, 2, 3, or 4. These phases can help us understand the benefits and drawbacks of participating in a particular clinical trial. Join Marissa Fors, an oncology social worker with CancerCare, for a brief explanation of the phases of clinical trials. Watch it here.
Advocate Spotlight: Sydney Barned
Dr. Sydney Barned was diagnosed with stage IV, ALK-positive lung cancer in 2017. In this article she shares her journey to becoming a strong advocate for biomarker testing and offers her advice for others wanting make a difference for the lung cancer community. Read it here.
…and so much more at the ALK Patient Gateway.
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If you need further assistance along your lung cancer journey, please email us at support@lungevity.org. Our team is always here to assist you.
