ALK+ International, a charity dedicated to increasing the life expectancy of ALK+ cancer patients, has donated almost £50,000 to The Institute of Cancer Research, London. The funds will be used to build a tissue bank of ALK-positive and other oncogene-driven lung cancers, such as EGFR.
The tissue bank will enable Dr Paul Huang and Professor Sanjay Popat, both from The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, to study treatment resistance in ALK- and EGFR-positive oncogene-addicted lung cancers. The research will help to develop an individualised approach to treatment and improve the long-term outcomes of ALK+ lung cancer patients.
Joanna Jonathan, co-founder of ALK+ International, said: “Supporting life-changing research is the reason ALK+ International exists. The ICR is one of the world’s leading cancer research institutions and we’re thrilled to support the work of Professor Popat and Dr Huang. This grant demonstrates that together we can make a difference. We are particularly grateful to everyone who donated and supported our ethos over the past 18 months.”
ALK-positive lung cancer affects around 72,000 people globally every year and accounts for 5% of all lung cancer cases. It is particularly aggressive, with 90% of ALK-positive lung cancer patients diagnosed at stage IV, when the cancer has spread or metastasised to other parts of the body.
Commenting on the grant, Dr Paul Huang, Molecular and Systems Oncology Group Leader at The Institute of Cancer Research, said: “ALK+ cancers are cancers of unmet clinical need and it’s often only possible for us to research cancers like this because of the incredible fundraising efforts of patient- and family-driven charities. We’re so grateful to have the support of ALK+ International to help us start this project into cancers caused by ALK+ mutations. Their support will help us put the infrastructure in place to do research towards developing better and kinder treatment strategies for people with ALK+ cancers.”
Today, ALK+ International has announced a donation of almost £50,000 to The Institute of Cancer Research, London, to build a tissue bank of ALK-positive and other oncogene-driven lung cancers, such as EGFR. The funds will support the work of Dr Paul Huang and Professor Sanjay Popat to study treatment resistance in ALK- and EGFR-positive oncogene-addicted lung cancers.
Joanna Jonathan, co-founder of ALK+ International, said: “Supporting life-changing research is the reason ALK+ International exists. The ICR is one of the world’s leading cancer research institutions and we’re thrilled to support the work of Professor Popat and Dr Huang. This grant demonstrates that together we can make a difference. We are particularly grateful to everyone who donated and supported our ethos over the past 18 months.”
Dr Paul Huang, Molecular and Systems Oncology Group Leader at The Institute of Cancer Research, added: “ALK+ cancers are cancers of unmet clinical need and it’s often only possible for us to research cancers like this because of the incredible fundraising efforts of patient- and family-driven charities. We’re so grateful to have the support of ALK+ International to help us start this project into cancers caused by ALK+ mutations. Their support will help us put the infrastructure in place to do research towards developing better and kinder treatment strategies for people with ALK+ cancers.”
ALK-positive lung cancer affects around 72,000 people globally every year and accounts for 5% of all lung cancer cases. It is particularly aggressive, with 90% of ALK-positive lung cancer patients diagnosed at stage IV, when the cancer has spread or metastasised to other parts of the body.
Today, ALK+ International has announced a donation of almost £50,000 to The Institute of Cancer Research, London, to build a tissue bank of ALK-positive and other oncogene-driven lung cancers, such as EGFR. The grant will enable Dr Paul Huang and Professor Sanjay Popat to research treatment resistance in ALK- and EGFR-positive oncogene-addicted lung cancers, with the ultimate goal of improving the long-term outcomes of ALK+ lung cancer patients.
Joanna Jonathan, co-founder of ALK+ International, said: “Supporting life-changing research is the reason ALK+ International exists. The ICR is one of the world’s leading cancer research institutions and we’re thrilled to support the work of Professor Popat and Dr Huang.
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