The Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF) has announced two new $300,000 two-year awards to accelerate treatment options for people with ALK fusion-driven non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This initiative was launched in partnership with patients, survivors, caregivers, industry partners, and medical leaders, reflecting a collective effort to expand therapeutic options and improve outcomes for those living with this rare form of lung cancer.
ALK-positive NSCLC affects more than 500,000 people worldwide, often younger adults with no history of tobacco use. Since the discovery of the EML4-ALK fusion in 2007, targeted therapies known as ALK inhibitors have transformed treatment. The most recent of these, lorlatinib, has shown unprecedented results in clinical trials, with progression-free survival extending beyond five years. Despite these advances, resistance eventually develops, leaving chemotherapy and clinical trials as the only remaining options, while immunotherapy has proven largely ineffective for this subset of patients.
The new awards were made possible through advocacy and fundraising by members of the lung cancer community, including survivors, families, and organizations such as the Sweat for Breath Foundation, alongside support from Pfizer and other donors. Colleen Conner Ziegler, chair of LCRF’s board and an ALK-positive survivor, emphasized the importance of continuing research to stay ahead of resistance and ensure more treatment options for patients. Families affected by ALK-positive lung cancer, such as the Murgatroyds, also highlighted the urgency of funding science that can provide hope for others.
The 2026 LCRF Award on Advancing Breakthroughs in ALK-Positive Lung Cancer will open for proposals in June 2026. LCRF, the leading nonprofit dedicated to lung cancer research, has already funded 450 research grants totaling nearly $53 million. Its mission remains focused on improving outcomes by supporting innovative, high-reward research in prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure.
