Mesothelioma Asbestos

In order to determine the impact of LUNGevity research investments made between 2002 and 2007, the Foundation surveyed all recipients of grants during that period. We found that:
74% of respondents had publications directly related to the research funded by the LUNGevity award;

63% of respondents gave presentations about the research funded by the LUNGevity award;

58% of respondents received additional grant/awards totaling more than $6 million directly attributable to the research funded by the LUNGevity award.

In addition, the researchers provided the following qualitative feedback on the impact of the LUNGevity research grants:

"The dedication of LUNGevity research funds to lung cancer research is prescient and important. Although lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States, Federal research funding for lung cancer research lags far behind funding for other cancers such as breast and prostate cancer. The funding helps to 'even the playing field' somewhat and increases the probability of successful NIH grant applications directed to lung cancer research."

Dr. Charles Andrew PowellColumbia UniversityResearch Title: Molecular Signature of Invasiveness in Lung Adenocarcinoma

"The LUNGevity award has permitted me to pursue new high-risk exploratory studies outside of traditional (NIH) funding mechanisms that would otherwise have not been feasible."Dr. Douglas ArenbergUniversity of MichiganResearch
Title: Profiling the phenotype of tumor-derived stromal fibrosis

"The award came at a critical time when I was close to having NIH funding but required more work to be performed to get over the hump. It is also a psychological boost to one involved in lung cancer research to have an award like this and the backing of a group who realizes the critical importance of research."Dr. Eric HauraH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research InstituteResearch Title: Targeting SRC and Stat3 Signaling in EGFR-driven non-small cell lung cancer

"The LUNGevity Foundation award allowed me to establish myself as independent investigator in the competitive area of translational lung cancer research within the early years of my career after my fellowship training. It is critical in allowing me to remain as clinician-scientist and develop myself now to be an independent investigator at Case Western Reserve University to continue the important research program in targeted therapeutics in personalized lung cancer treatment."Dr. Patrick MaUniversity of ChicagoResearch Title: Functional Expression of c-Met,

Its Mutation and Targeted Therapy in Lung Adenocarcinoma

"Being a LUNGevity Inspired Venture Researcher played a very big role in my promotion to the rank of Assistant Professor in the department of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. In addition, the results that are beginning to emerge from the studies pertaining to this grant were deemed of sufficient import to warrant an invitation as speakers at the Symposium entitled,

"Targeted Therapy: How Do We Design Rational Combinations?" at the annual meeting of the American Association of Cancer Research be held from April 12-16, 2008, in San Diego, CA. I am extremely grateful to the LUNGevity Foundation and the Goldman Philanthropic Partnerships for making all this possible."Dr. Sreenath SharmaMassachusetts General HospitalResearch Title: Chemo-sensitizing Non-small Cell Lung Cancers to Gefitnib/Iressa & Erlotinib/Tarceva