Lung Cancer Awareness Month: 2021 Immunotherapy Research Updates

Lung cancer is the most diagnosed cancer worldwide. Fortunately, ongoing studies and drug development are fueling the pathway to progress for lung cancer patients. In May 2021, the FDA granted accelerated approval of amivantamab (RYBREVANT) for a subset of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It is the first fully-human bispecific antibody approved for treating NSCLC patients.  

This November for Lung Cancer Awareness Month, discover the latest treatments, research insights, and our impact on a future immune to lung cancer.

Your Immunotherapy Questions Answered

Dr. Patrick Forde of the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins answered patient questions in a live discussion about new immune-based treatments for lung cancer at the 2021 Virtual Immunotherapy Patient Summit on October 7–8, 2021. This free, online event connected cancer patients and leading oncologists, so families could make smarter, informed decisions for a healthier future.

Watch the virtual summit recording

Treatment Update for Lung Cancers

At the 2020 CRI Virtual Immunotherapy Patient Summit, Dr. Leena Gandhi, director of the Center for Cancer Therapeutic Innovation at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, led a discussion on immunotherapy for lung cancer patients. She delved into lung cancer during COVID-19, types of lung cancer, and advice for lung cancer patients.

Lung Cancer Patient Story

Barry was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer in early 2012. While memories of his loved one's similar cancer experiences brought up tumultuous feelings for him, his spirituality pushed him to keep going. After undergoing radiation and chemotherapy, he started an immunotherapy clinical trial and saw immediate positive results. He has been off medication and treatment for nearly eight years and living a productive life.

Read Barry’s cancer story

Lung Cancer Scientist Spotlight

CRI Fellow Nelson M. LaMarche, PhD, of Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, is studying macrophage lifespan development in the framework of lung cancer immunotherapy.

Learn about Dr. LaMarche’s Lung Cancer Research

Immunotherapy for Lung Cancer Info Update

In addition to the approval of amivantamab this year, the FDA approved atezolizumab (Tecentriq) in combination with tiragolumab for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in patients whose tumors express high PD-L1 without EGFR or ALK genomic aberrations. As the research and treatment landscape evolves, we keep our information up to date.

Read Lung Cancer Update

Find a Lung Cancer Clinical Trial

A variety of new and promising cancer immunotherapy treatments are only available to patients in clinical trials. Help speed the development of potentially lifesaving drugs. Discover trials for which you or a loved one may be eligible with the CRI Immunotherapy Clinical Trial Finder.

Find a Cancer Clinical Trial

Support Lung Cancer Research

CRI Scientific Advisory Council member Dr. Miriam Merad of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai led a recent study that shows how early lung cancer cells trick tissue-resident macrophages into assisting tumors to take over the lungs. This discovery offers a potential avenue for drug development. Understanding the nature of cancer in its early stages greatly impacts the probability of patients relapsing and their overall survival rate. This Lung Cancer Awareness Month, support lifesaving cancer immunotherapy research. 

Donate to Lung Cancer Research