ALK Positive and Lung Cancer Research Foundation: Expanding Our Research Partnership

June 15, 2023 – ALK Positive and the Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF) are pleased to announce a groundbreaking research partnership to fund $2 million in ALK-positive lung cancer research over the next three years. 

As the leading patient-led organization in ALK-positive cancer, ALK Positive is excited to spearhead this innovative initiative and raise funds to support critical research endeavors focused on improving outcomes for patients with ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). 

About ALK-positive Lung Cancer

First discovered in 2007, ALK-positive cancer refers to an abnormal rearrangement of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase gene. ALK-positive lung cancer causes 72,000 new cases of lung cancer and 64,000 deaths each year. Occurring in 5% of lung cancers, ALK rearrangements are significantly more common in young patients.

While the average age for lung cancer diagnoses is 70, for ALK-positive lung cancers, half of diagnoses are under the age of 50 and nearly one-third of diagnoses are under the age of 40. Risk factors for ALK-positive lung cancer are young age, female, with little to no smoking history.

The Current Therapeutic Landscape for ALK-positive Lung Cancer

Although research and clinical trials have accelerated medical strategies for treating ALK-positive NSCLC, more research is necessary. Current ALK-positive targeted therapies can produce positive results, however, many ALK-positive NSCLC patients eventually develop resistance to these therapies. 

The FDA has approved a number of therapies targeting various molecular subsets of NSCLC—and while ALK-positive targeted therapies can produce durable responses, many ALK-positive NSCLC patients eventually develop resistance to these therapies. Because the available therapeutic options are not curative, we need novel and effective approaches to treat lung cancers—and create better outcomes for patients.

A Transformative Partnership

The expanded partnership between ALK Positive and LCRF will fund research projects aimed at identifying novel and effective therapies to treat ALK-positive lung cancers and lead to better outcomes for patients. This $2 million research award program expands ALK Positive’s research partnership with LCRF, bringing the total research grant commitment and leadership of ALK Positive to nearly $7 million to date.  

Because the development of novel therapies could be highly beneficial to ALK-positive patients, a clinical trial will be integrated with this project.

“We are thrilled to expand our partnership with LCRF to fund life-changing, transformative research for patients with ALK-positive lung cancer,” shares Lonna Smith, Executive Director of ALK Positive. “This is a groundbreaking step forward in the search to develop more effective, reliable therapies in support of ALK-positive patients and their families.”

You can also read the LCRF New Release Here:

What’s Next

With the launch of this partnership, these funds will grant awards to selected projects. ALK Positive's Research Review Panel and LCRF's Scientific Advisory Board will work together to evaluate applications for grant funding. Detailed information regarding the Request for Proposal, eligibility requirements, and deadlines can be found at www.LCRF.org/FundingOpportunities.

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