LUNGevity Celebration of HOPE Program - Other - Page 5
Chairman, Scientific Advisory Board
LUNGevity Foundation
Charles M. Rudin, MD, PhD
Dear Friends of LUNGevity,
Thank you for joining us to celebrate the progress in lung cancer
from Stanford University School of Medicine and a member of the
research over the past year.
Stand Up To Cancer-ALA-LUNGevity Dream Team. Their expertise will
These are challenging times for all of us. Yet, despite the COVID-19
pandemic, there is much to be hopeful about — especially for the
lung cancer community. I’m proud to say that LUNGevity continues to
help guide the Foundation’s scientific strategy and selection of grants
for LUNGevity’s Translational Research Program, which is driving
research results out of laboratories and into the clinics.
fund vital lung cancer research with the ability to improve patient
This year saw exciting progress in many areas of scientific research.
outcomes. Our programmatic focus remains on finding lung cancer
KRAS, a mutation found in 25% of lung cancers, was considered not
early and treating it more effectively.
druggable, but drugs targeting specific KRAS mutations have shown
LUNGevity is funding research that will help people live better with
lung cancer. We recently granted three Career Development Awards,
our 9th class of exceptional young researchers. These young
investigators are working in key areas of lung cancer research: one
promise in early clinical trials and are now moving to larger trials. New
drug approvals were given to treat two rare mutations — MET and
RET. We now have more immunotherapy options for patients with
advanced-stage lung cancer.
working to understand and prevent resistance to drugs targeting the
Even in difficult times, we have much reason for hope. Organizations
KRAS mutation, and two seeking to develop novel strategies to
like LUNGevity are driving change, funding outstanding researchers,
enhance the benefits of immunotherapy — through combination with
and empowering patients and caregivers with knowledge and
DNA damage response inhibitors for small cell lung cancer or with
support. Your generosity makes this change possible — and the future
radiation for non-small cell lung cancer. Our funding of this year’s
brighter. Thank you.
group of incredibly accomplished young researchers will help make
progress in solving these challenges and continue to improve
outcomes for lung cancer patients.
Sincerely,
LUNGevity also welcomed two prestigious new members to the
Foundation’s Scientific Advisory Board this year. Christine M. Lovly,
MD, PhD, is a physician scientist and co-leader of the Translational
Research and Interventional Oncology Program at Vanderbilt-Ingram
Cancer Center and a past recipient of LUNGevity’s Career
Development Award. Maximilian Diehn, MD, is a radiation oncologist
Charles M. Rudin, MD, PhD
Professor and Chief, Thoracic Oncology Service
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center