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1 year ago

LCRF e-news

LCRF publishes a quarterly e-newsletter highlighting the latest developments in the lung cancer space and announcing upcoming events. The e-news also features stories from patients and supporters.

Read the summer 2024 e-news

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The post appeared first on Lung Cancer Research Foundation.

1 year ago

Elliot’s Legacy family carnival has far-reaching impact

The 17th annual Elliot’s Legacy, a beachside family carnival featuring kite flying in memory of Elliot Chalmé A’H, took place August 11. Elliot passed away from lung cancer in 2006 at the age of 56, and flying kites was a beloved activity of his.

More than 700 people – most of them families with children – enjoyed activities including airbrushing, bounce houses, and (of course) flying kites. This year’s event was at a new venue, the DSN Beach Club in Deal, NJ, and by all accounts it was a great day to be among family and friends for a special cause.

LCRF Board member Ray Chalmé, his brothers Richie and Hy, their mother Robin and a new generation of Chalmés have raised $8 million since the event’s inception in 2007.

Robin Chalmé Rahmey, Elliot’s granddaughter, was instrumental in planning this year’s event. “My family has always been committed to funding lung cancer research to honor my grandfather. Having this event allows us to do that in a fun and family-oriented way,” she said. “It’s really a reflection of who he was, so it’s only natural that I help continue the tradition of bringing families together to fly kites in his memory for years to come.”

“We started this event 17 years ago to honor our dad, and it’s incredible to think how it has supported the work of so many lung cancer researchers,” said Ray Chalmé. “The $8 million raised for lung cancer research through Elliott’s Legacy Kites for a Cure means that LCRF grantees will receive another almost $50 million in follow-on funding for lung cancer research.”

“Elliot was such a beacon of light, and that continues to shine through our whole family, and especially through this event. It means so much to have his legacy be the catalyst for giving other lung cancer patients more time,” said Elliot’s wife, Robin.

The Chalmé family is grateful to the generous sponsors and donors who have supported the event year after year and are proud of the impact they are making on the future for patients with lung cancer.

“This event does more than keep our dad’s memory alive – it also ensures that research advancements are directly impacted by all the generous donors who help continue the fight for a cure,” Ray added.

“The Chalmé family’s continued support of LCRF and its mission is extraordinary,” said Aubrey Rhodes, Executive Director. “We are so grateful for their commitment to funding lung cancer research year after year. Their impact is felt far beyond just what the family has raised through this event over the last 17 years, with a much larger ripple effect in lung cancer research advancement. LCRF is indebted to the Chalmé family for their dedication to the mission.”

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1 year ago

CROWN trial findings presented at ASCO

July 16, 2024

The good news

The 5-year outcomes of the CROWN trial were presented at the annual American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting with results showing the longest progression-free survival in anaplastic lymphoma kinase positive (ALK+) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to date.

Why it’s important

The standard of care for the first-line treatment of patients with advanced ALK+ lung cancer is an ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). Lorlatinib is a third generation ALK-TKI. The CROWN study is a Phase 3 trial in which 296 ALK+ patients received crizotinib, a first generation ALK-TKI, or lorlatinib.

The initial results of the trial showed that lorlatinib was superior to crizotinib1 and it is FDA approved for the treatment of metastatic ALK+ NSCLC. The update presented at the ASCO meeting revealed that after 5 years of follow-up, the median time of disease control or progression-free survival was not yet reached for lorlatinib and was only 9.1 months for the patients treated with crizotinib. At 5 years, 60% of the patients receiving lorlatinib still had no progression of their disease. Loratinib also demonstrated both superior control of existing brain metastases and a reduction in the eventual development of brain metastases.2

What It means for patients

Lorlatinib is very effective in the treatment of patients with advanced ALK+ NSCLC. Of importance is its ability to control existing brain metastases and prevent the development of new central nervous system disease. There were no new side effects of concern related to the longer time on treatment. Side effects associated with lorlatinib treatment can include increased cholesterol and triglycerides, weight gain and cognitive effects among others. Patients should always discuss risks and benefits and options for treatment with their oncologist.

What to look for

Progress is being made in the treatment of metastatic ALK+ NSCLC. Unfortunately, these new advancements do not represent a cure for the vast majority of patients. It is very important to determine how cancer cells develop resistance to treatment. Look for new research in overcoming resistance and novel approaches to treatment.

  1. Shaw A, New England Journal of Medicine, 2020
  2. Solomon B, Journal of Clinical Oncology, doi:io.1200/JCO.24.00581, 2024
Posted in Science Made SimpleTagged ALK, ASCO, CROWN