LCFA says research breakthroughs in new therapies are at the heart of the study’s findings
The Lung Cancer Foundation of America and patients everywhere, who rely on research for their individualized treatments, can chalk up a huge win following a study released by the NCI. Mortality rates in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) patients fell sharply in patients diagnosed in 2001 compared to those diagnosed in 2014.
The research posted in the New England Journal of Medicine states that survival rates for men and women diagnosed with NSCLC are improving and recent advancements in new treatments are likely the reason.
According to researchers, during this time period, the two-year survival rate for men diagnosed with NSCLC increased from 26% to 35%. The study also found the survival rate increase was similar for women and did not vary across race or ethnicity.
“This exciting news confirms what we have witnessed in real life, that NSCLC patients are living longer, better quality lives than ever before. I am confident that because of the dedicated focus on research we will continue to see an increase in the NSCLC survival rate,” said Kim Norris, Lung Cancer Foundation of America president.
Scientists say this is likely because, in 2012, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommended that all patients with nonsquamous NSCLC undergo biomarker testing.
With the dramatic increase in testing for the EGFR mutation as well as the ALK+ gene rearrangement, scientists have been able to treat patients using inhibitors and other advances in therapy.
Lung Cancer Foundation of America has a long history of promoting biomarker testing as outlined in their Hope With Answers podcast and video series, available free on their website. In addition, the crucial research funding of LCFA’s Young Investigator grants leads to projects which may otherwise go unfunded. These grants help fund research with the hope of scientific breakthroughs leading to potential life-prolonging treatments for those living with lung cancer.
LCFA and its partners have contributed more than $4 million toward lung cancer research to attract the best and the brightest to the field of lung cancer. The goal of the Young Investigator grants is to fund the best research to make the largest possible positive impact for lung cancer patients.