Lung Cancer Research Foundation Announces Additional 2025 Scientific Research Grant Awards
“NEW YORK, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Lung Cancer Research Foundation® (LCRF) recently awarded five new research grants in the following areas: three LCRF Leading-Edge Research Awards, one LCRF Research Grant on Overcoming Resistance in Lung Cancer Award, and one LCRF Minority Career Development Award (CDA) for Lung Cancer. These awards are in addition to the fourteen research awards announced in early December 2025. Foundation funds five new research projects, bringing 2025 total to $5.2 million”
Broadening Frontline Options in EGFR Exon 20 Insertion Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: New Evidence From PAPILLON
“GFR exon 20 insertion (Ex20ins) mutations define a distinct molecular subset of non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with historically limited responsiveness to conventional EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). While platinum-based chemotherapy has typically been the standard first-line (1L) option for these patients, evolving targeted strategies are reshaping expectations for efficacy and durability. The Phase III PAPILLON trial investigated the combination of an EGFR-MET bispecific antibody, amivantamab, with standard carboplatin–pemetrexed chemotherapy, probing progression-free survival (PFS) and meaningful end points like time to treatment discontinuation (TTD), time to subsequent therapy (TTST), and crossover-adjusted overall survival (OS) in the context of per-protocol crossover.”
Bayer’s Sevabertinib Lung-Cancer Drug Receives Therapy Designations in U.S., China
“Bayer received significant designations in the U.S. and China for its sevabertinib lung-cancer treatment. The German pharmaceutical and biotechnology company said Tuesday that the Food and Drug Administration and China’s Center for Drug Evaluation gave the drug the designations that would speed up the development of sevabertinib for first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic lung cancer.”
Intravenous Olvi-Vec Yields Responses in NSCLC and SCLC Following Progression
“Systemic intravenous administration of olvimulogene nanivacirepvec (Olvi-Vec) yielded positive preliminary results for patients with progressive non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and progressive small cell lung cancer (SCLC) following progression on prior platinum-based regimens in 2 separate ongoing trials, according to a press release from the developer, Genelux Corporation.”
Guideline-Concordant Care Rate Roughly 60% After Positive Lung Cancer Screen in Older Adults
“HealthDay News — Among persons with a first positive lung cancer screening result at age 65 years or older, the rate of guideline-concordant care is 59.7 percent overall, according to a study published online Dec. 16 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.”
UK first in nation to treat small cell lung cancer patient with new immunotherapy
“In what could be a “game changer” someday for Kentuckians with small cell lung cancer, the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center has treated the first patient in the country with a novel drug currently in the early stages of human trials. Markey is the first site to open a U.S. trial for ZG006 (Alveltamig), which has three “arms” (trispecific) to grab cancer cells and connect them to T cells, a type of white blood cells that are key in fighting pathogens and disease.”
Use of preoperative placement of mini-midline catheters in patients undergoing thoracoscopic lung resection
“Preoperative mini-midline catheter placement streamlines preoperative workflow, reduces catheterization burden and complications, and improves the patient experience. These findings support its integration into standard preoperative care for thoracoscopic lung resection to enhance both clinical efficiency and patient-centered outcomes.”
Trethera Awarded $2.7M NIH Grant to Study Lung Cancer Drug Combination
“Los Angeles-based clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company Trethera Corp. received a $2.7-million Small Business Innovation Research grant from the National Institutes of Health. The grant will support research on combining its lead drug candidate, TRE-515, with KRAS inhibitor therapies to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).”
Biomarkers May Add to Clinical Criteria in Lung Cancer
“Two new lung cancer studies show promising potential biomarkers, one using circulating tumor cell count and the other a calcium ion (Ca2+)-independent cell adhesion molecule, to supplement current clinical criteria in certain lung cancer patients, according to presentations at the American Thoracic Society 2025 International Meeting.”
Genmab ends lung cancer drug development
“Denmark’s Genmab has decided not to continue the development of a drug for cancer, acasunlimab, which had reached phase 3 testing, after a review of its medicines pipeline.”
Verastem nixes KRAS G12C plans in non-small cell lung cancer
“The emergence of next-generation KRAS G12C inhibitors has led Verastem Oncology to change course. The Boston biotech has decided to discontinue a phase 1/2 trial in advanced KRAS G12C-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) following an interim data analysis.”
American Lung Association urges home testing for radon, second-leading cause of lung cancer
“FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) – January is National Radon Action Month, and the American Lung Association is raising awareness of the potential health risks of radon and the importance of home testing. Exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, and the number one cause of lung cancer in people who have never smoked. Radon is responsible for an estimated 21,000 deaths annually in the U.S.”
