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Celebrating 20 Years of Progress in Lung Cancer Research and Treatment
Read time: 5 minutes.
This year marks 20 years since researchers made a key discovery that changed the face of lung cancer research and treatment.
By uncovering EGFR’s role in lung cancer, researchers...
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
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Brain Mets Basics for NSCLC: What Are Brain Metastases and How Do We Treat Them?
Read time: 2 minutes. Brain metastases (also called brain mets) develop when cancer from somewhere else in the body spreads to the brain. Over time, tumors can become metastatic... -
Screening and Early Detection of Lung Cancer: Highlights from WCLC and ESMO 2024
Lung cancer screening and early detection were major topics of discussion at the World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC), held in San Diego from September 7-10, and the European... -
Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Highlights from WCLC and ESMO 2024
This year, the first three weeks of September were packed with lung cancer research updates at the World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) from September 7-10 in San Diego followed... -
Eating Healthy on the Mediterranean Diet
Read time: 3 minutes. Oncology dietitian Lori Bumbaco takes us on a culinary journey, exploring why experts consistently rank the Mediterranean diet as the number one choice for... -
How Do Drugs Get Approved (and Fast-Tracked) by the FDA?
Read time: 5 minutes. This is Part 3 in our series on how drugs get approved to treat lung cancer. Part 1: Understanding Clinical Trials - Why Are They Important for Drug... -
How We Define Success for a Clinical Trial
Read time: 6 minutes. This is Part 2 of 3 in our series on how drugs get approved to treat lung cancer. Make sure to read Part 1 on the phases of clinical trials and why they are... -
Understanding Clinical Trials: Why Are They Important for Drug Development?
Read time: 3 minutes. This is Part 1 in a 3-part series explaining how new drugs and treatments get approved to treat lung cancer. Parts 2 and 3 will be published in the coming... -
HER2+ NSCLC: Understanding the Latest Treatment and Advances
Many people have heard of HER2-positive breast cancer. But HER2 is an important biomarker found in many different types of cancer—including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A... -
Rare Mutations (RET, ROS1, MET, BRAF) Virtual Meetup
Rare Mutation (RET, ROS1, MET, BRAF) patients/survivors - Join us the 1st Wednesday of every month to c onnect with others who share common experiences and build your community...
Brain Mets Basics for NSCLC: What Are Brain Metastases and How Do We Treat Them?
Brain Mets Basics for NSCLC: What Are Brain Metastases and How Do We Treat Them?
Read time: 2 minutes. Brain metastases (also called brain mets) develop when cancer from somewhere else in the body spreads to the brain. Over time, tumors can become metastatic (travel to other parts of the body). When lung cancer travels to the brain, it requires specialized treatments that can cross the blood-brain barrier. The blood-brain barrier is a tight network of blood vessels and tissue that allows some substances, such as oxygen and water, into the brain while…
Screening and Early Detection of Lung Cancer: Highlights from WCLC and ESMO 2024
Screening and Early Detection of Lung Cancer: Highlights from WCLC and ESMO 2024
Lung cancer screening and early detection were major topics of discussion at the World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC), held in San Diego from September 7-10, and the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) conference in Barcelona from September 13-17. This fourth and final blog in our series of updates summarizes highlights from these discussions. You can read the other update blogs from these fall science meetings: Metastatic NSCLC Highlights Small Cell Lung Cancer…
How Do Drugs Get Approved (and Fast-Tracked) by the FDA?
How Do Drugs Get Approved (and Fast-Tracked) by the FDA?
Read time: 5 minutes. This is Part 3 in our series on how drugs get approved to treat lung cancer. Part 1: Understanding Clinical Trials - Why Are They Important for Drug Development? Part 2: How We Define Success for a Clinical Trial The United States federal government aims to regulate prescription drugs to ensure people are receiving medication that’s safe and effective. Every prescribed drug in the U.S. has gone through a rigorous testing process that can…
How We Define Success for a Clinical Trial
How We Define Success for a Clinical Trial
Read time: 6 minutes. This is Part 2 of 3 in our series on how drugs get approved to treat lung cancer. Make sure to read Part 1 on the phases of clinical trials and why they are important for new drug development. We all want a treatment for lung cancer that is completely safe and entirely effective. While researchers are working toward that goal, the reality is we aren’t there yet. Every treatment we are considering comes with potential benefits and side effects. The…
Understanding Clinical Trials: Why Are They Important for Drug Development?
Understanding Clinical Trials: Why Are They Important for Drug Development?
Read time: 3 minutes.This is Part 1 in a 3-part series explaining how new drugs and treatments get approved to treat lung cancer. Parts 2 and 3 will be published in the coming weeks.Have you ever wondered how a new medicine or drug to treat lung cancer is brought to the people who need it? That’s what clinical trials help us do.According to the National Cancer Institute, a clinical trial is a type of research study that tests how well new medical approaches (such as screening tests, prevention…
HER2+ NSCLC: Understanding the Latest Treatment and Advances
HER2+ NSCLC: Understanding the Latest Treatment and Advances
Many people have heard of HER2-positive breast cancer. But HER2 is an important biomarker found in many different types of cancer—including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A lot is known about how to treat HER2 in breast cancer, and researchers are leveraging that knowledge to bring treatment options to people living with HER2-positive NSCLC. In the video below, Dr. Ibiayi Dagogo-Jack, assistant professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and thoracic oncologist at…
Countdown to ILCSC24: Bringing the World’s Experts Right to Your Living Room
Countdown to ILCSC24: Bringing the World’s Experts Right to Your Living Room
Read time: 3 minutes. One of LUNGevity’s two flagship survivorship events, the International Lung Cancer Survivorship Conference (ILCSC), is being held virtually September 20 – 21, 2024. This is a free, online event that allows people with lung cancer and caregivers from around the world to join from the comfort of their own homes and hear from a star-studded lineup of lung cancer experts discussing the latest advances in research and treatment. You can register today for…
How Can Patients and Researchers Design Clinical Trials Together?
How Can Patients and Researchers Design Clinical Trials Together?
Read time: 2 minutes. Traditionally, people associate getting involved in lung cancer research with enrolling in a clinical trial. But most don’t realize they can also partner with researchers behind the scenes and get involved in designing clinical trials. In the first of a three-part series, Rising Tide Foundation for Clinical Cancer Research has partnered with LUNGevity to understand the role people with lung cancer can play in developing clinical trials. Through panelist…
Repotrectinib Approvals Expand to Include Patients with NTRK+ Solid Tumors
Repotrectinib Approvals Expand to Include Patients with NTRK+ Solid Tumors
On June 13, 2024, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the accelerated approval of repotrectinib (Augtyro™) to treat patients with advanced NTRK-positive solid tumors who have either had their disease recur or who don’t have alternative treatment options. This treatment is part of a growing trend of tissue-agnostic drugs—treatments that are prescribed based on the biomarkers found in the tumor rather than the organ where the cancer originated. It is available to…
Safely Bring Yoga, Dietary Supplements, Exercise, and More into Your Lung Cancer Journey
Safely Bring Yoga, Dietary Supplements, Exercise, and More into Your Lung Cancer Journey
Read time: 2 minutesIntegrative oncology adds holistic approaches—such as acupuncture, nutrition, exercise, and mindfulness—into a treatment plan. Research shows these interventions can have a tremendous impact on people going through lung cancer treatment and their quality of life. Unfortunately, they are also topics riddled with myths and falsehoods. LUNGevity spoke to an expert to help sort out the facts from the fiction. In the webinar below, Gabriel Lopez, MD, medical director of…
Chemo Shortage Didn’t Materialize ‘The Way We Initially Feared’
Chemo Shortage Didn’t Materialize ‘The Way We Initially Feared’
This March, LUNGevity Foundation partnered with CURE for their “Speaking Out” video series, inviting Amy Moore, PhD, vice president of global engagement and patient partnerships at LUNGevity Foundation, to discuss recent chemotherapy shortages. During the interview, Dr. Moore addressed the critical issues posed by the chemotherapy shortage, offering valuable insights into its origins, impact on people with lung cancer, available alternatives, and ongoing efforts to address disparities. Her…
FDA Grants Accelerated Approval for HER2+ Cancer Treatment
FDA Grants Accelerated Approval for HER2+ Cancer Treatment
On April 5, 2024, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the accelerated approval of fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki (Enhertu®) to treat patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive solid tumors.This treatment is part of a growing trend of tissue-agnostic drugs -- treatments that are prescribed based on the biomarkers found in the tumor rather than the organ where the cancer originated. It is available to patients through the FDA’s accelerated approval process,…
Lung Cancer Masterclass: Get Smart About Lung Cancer
Lung Cancer Masterclass: Get Smart About Lung Cancer
In the past five years, the lung cancer community has seen an astonishing number of new treatments. As our understanding of lung cancer has deepened, the older treatment approaches have also become more effective and efficient. These options are fantastic steps toward improving the overall survival and quality of life for people living with lung cancer, but it can be difficult for patients and caregivers to keep track of the new drug treatments and scientific advancements. …
Questions to Ask About Clinical Trials
Questions to Ask About Clinical Trials
Asking your doctor and medical team questions about clinical trials is a helpful way to decide if they are a good fit for you. You may already have some in mind, but a few basic questions to ask and get answered before making a decision are:Do you know of any clinical trials for my type and stage of lung cancer?What are the benefits and risks of this clinical trial?What are the eligibility guidelines?How long does the study last?Will you still be in charge of my care?What are the costs, and…
Clinical Trial Phases
Clinical Trial Phases
The four phases of lung cancer clinical trials each serve a different and important purpose. From testing the safety of a new treatment to its effectiveness and long-term outcomes, this short video explains how researchers use clinical trials for new lung cancer treatments.Phases of a Clinical Trial:1. Safety of the new treatment 2. Does the cancer respond to the treatment 3. Is this new treatment better than the current options 4. Studies the long-term benefits and side effects
Repotrectinib is Now FDA-Approved to Treat Patients with ROS1-positive NSCLC
Repotrectinib is Now FDA-Approved to Treat Patients with ROS1-positive NSCLC
On November 15, 2023, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the approval of repotrectinib to treat patients with locally advanced or metastatic ROS1-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Repotrectinib is part of a class of drugs called tyrosine kinase inhibitors, or TKIs, which have been beneficial for many patients with oncogene-driven lung cancers. TKIs are a type of therapy that specifically targets changes in genes that are known to promote tumor growth.…
What Is a Clinical Trial
What Is a Clinical Trial
Lung cancer clinical trials are carefully designed research studies to evaluate and learn more about new drugs and treatments. They give people the ability to participate in lung cancer research and access to new treatments that otherwise may not be available to them, all under the close supervision of medical experts.
Watch Recorded Expert Sessions From ILCSC
Watch Recorded Expert Sessions From ILCSC
The International Lung Cancer Survivorship Conference (ILCSC) is a free virtual educational conference for people with lung cancer, caregivers, and advocates. The 2023 conference was held September 22-23. The recorded sessions from this conference are available to registered participants through December 21, 2023, at www.lungevity.org/ilcsc. If you did not register for the conference but would like to view the recordings, you may still register for free access. The recordings are…
Decentralized Trials: Bringing Clinical Trials Closer to the Patient
Decentralized Trials: Bringing Clinical Trials Closer to the Patient
While participating in clinical trials can provide substantial benefits to people with lung cancer, the resources required to do so may pose significant hurdles, especially to those who don’t live close to where trials are held, such as academic medical centers or major oncology network sites. Decentralized clinical trials remove some hurdles to trial participation for patients and are thus important for improving trial access for larger and more diverse groups of people. The U.S. Food and Drug…
Navigating Hope: How Comprehensive Biomarker Testing is Guiding Lung Cancer Care
Navigating Hope: How Comprehensive Biomarker Testing is Guiding Lung Cancer Care
Join us for a discussion on lung cancer biomarkers to learn what biomarker testing is, why it’s important, and how it can be used to optimize your treatment plans. We are thrilled to welcome our panelists: Balazs Halmos, MD, a thoracic medical oncologist from Montefiore Medical Center in New York; Elizabeth Ravera, a patient navigator at Montefiore; and a patient living with lung cancer who tested positive for the ALK biomarker. The panel is moderated by LUNGevity's Amy Moore, PhD, VP of Global…
Finding Clinical Trials for Lung Cancer: Tools and Resources
Finding Clinical Trials for Lung Cancer: Tools and Resources
Clinical trials are an important option for patients because the newest treatment approaches, not available otherwise, are being tested in them. Clinical trial research leads to more advancements and potential treatment options, and the therapies used today were once tested in clinical trials. Continued progress is only possible if patients with lung cancer volunteer to participate in the clinical trial process.
There are many ongoing clinical trials testing new lung cancer treatments,…
RET, MET, and EGFR: An unusual tale of three oncogenes in lung cancer
RET, MET, and EGFR: An unusual tale of three oncogenes in lung cancer
LUNGevity's Upal Basu Roy, PhD, MPH, Executive Director, Research, discusses innovative research into RET+ NSCLC with patient advocates and the scientist conducting the studies. Panelists include Omaima Salous (diagnosed with RET+ NSCLC and co-founder of The Hamoui Foundation), Dr. Hilary Hammell (diagnosed with RET+ NSCLC and co-chair of RETpositive), and Dr. Tejas Patil (Assistant Professor, University of Colorado). The discussion focuses on Dr. Patil’s RET+ NSCLC research project…
Real-World Drug Development at the Targeted Therapies of Lung Cancer Meeting
Real-World Drug Development at the Targeted Therapies of Lung Cancer Meeting
The development of new treatments for any disease relies on the collaborative efforts of many different stakeholders, such as scientists, clinicians, patient advocacy groups, regulators, and pharmaceutical and biotech companies.
During scientific conferences that happen throughout the year, stakeholders cobble together opportunities to discuss the current state of treatments and strategize ways to bring emerging lifesaving treatments to patients.
Each year, there is one key conference…
Ask Your Oncologist the Right Questions
Ask Your Oncologist the Right Questions
Communication is critical to a positive doctor-patient relationship. Knowing the right questions to ask helps ensure you leave your appointments with the information and answers you need. Being prepared may also lessen anxiety and help provide a sense of control. Meeting with your oncologist, especially when first diagnosed or deciding on a treatment plan, are times when being prepared with questions is necessary.
LUNGevity has downloadable lists of questions that you can bring to…
Innovative Research Brings Potential New Class of Drugs for Patients with ALK-EML4 Fusion
Innovative Research Brings Potential New Class of Drugs for Patients with ALK-EML4 Fusion
Targeted therapies, or treatments directed towards specific biomarkers in tumor cells, have been effective in treating many patients with advanced-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Tumors that have the ALK protein fused with another cancer-driving protein, such as the EML4 protein, are often referred to as ALK-positive tumors. Approximately 5% of advanced-stage adenocarcinoma, a type of NSCLC, will test positive for an ALK-fusion biomarker. Treating patients with ALK-positive lung…
How Metastatic Brain Tumors Affect Your Lung Cancer Care
How Metastatic Brain Tumors Affect Your Lung Cancer Care
Brain metastases are known to occur in approximately 25% of patients diagnosed with lung cancer. This webinar dives into the details of brain metastasis in lung cancer to explore their signs and symptoms. It also includes a discussion of treatment considerations.
Through this webinar, you will learn to:
Understand how brain metastasis occurs
Keep an eye out for signs & symptoms of brain mets
Understand treatment options and management techniques
This webinar was created in…
Understanding Pulmonary Rehab
Understanding Pulmonary Rehab
Pulmonary rehab expert Debbie Koehl, MS, RRT-NPS, AE-C, FAARC, speaks to LUNGevity's Survivorship Navigator, Kristi Griffith, to explain what pulmonary rehabilitation is, explore the benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation, and gain key insights about how to obtain pulmonary rehabilitation for yourself or a loved one. The discussion is followed by an informal Q&A with other lung cancer survivors. This recording was made during one of LUNGevity Foundation's Virtual Meetups -- a free resource…
Pneumonitis: A Common Side Effect
Pneumonitis: A Common Side Effect
In this video, nurse practitioner Lauren Welch, MSN, NP-C, AOCNP, from the Sarah Cannon Research Institute at Tennessee Oncology offers a quick review of pneumonitis - a common side effect of some lung cancer treatments. Survivors and caregivers can learn: What is pneumonitis? What causes it? How is it treated? What symptoms should we look out for?
Harnessing the Immune System to Tackle RET-positive Lung Cancer
Harnessing the Immune System to Tackle RET-positive Lung Cancer
LUNGevity's Upal Basu Roy, PhD, MPH, Executive Director of Research, interviewed Hilary Hammell (RETpositive) and Dr. Alexandre Reuben (MD Anderson Cancer Center) about an exciting project on using the immune system to treat RET-positive lung cancer. This project is being funded by the RETpositive patient group. This interview was live on Facebook on October 18; watch the video here.
Introduction to Radiation Therapy
Introduction to Radiation Therapy
Lung cancer survivor Jill Feldman joins radiation therapy experts Drs. Drew Moghanaki and Kristin Higgins to provide an overview of radiation therapy – including discussions of when this treatment is recommended, how the treatment is administered, and which side effects are most common.