At GO2 for Lung Cancer, we confront lung cancer through innovative research. Our research studies have contributed to a better understanding of how lung cancer develops, who is most at risk, and what factors can improve outcomes and increase survival. Previous research projects have focused on all aspects of lung cancer care—from early detection and equitable access to screening to precision medicine, community engagement, and quality of life.
Early detection
The 5-year survival rate for lung cancer increases dramatically when the disease is diagnosed early. Our research on early detection has focused on how to increase awareness about the availability of lung cancer screening, increase access to screening, and gain a better understanding of lung cancer risk factors beyond a smoking history.
ALCASE
Follow-up surveys helped to learn more about the lung cancer screening experience. Members of the ALCASE project showed increased awareness of and interest in lung cancer screening for community members when given multiple methods of educational outreach, particularly when messaging through Community Health Advisors (CHAs) was used. In addition, the surveys showed that clear guideline-based messages from healthcare providers about recommended screening were important for increasing retention.
CASTL
The CASTL study created a blueprint for delivering smoking cessation services within lung cancer screening programs. Across 18 screening sites, participants received different combinations of quit-support treatments, allowing researchers to see which approaches helped people stop smoking and what challenges staff faced. GO2 for Lung Cancer's Centers of Excellence in Screening network were field sites for this study.
Genomics of Young Lung Cancer
Genomics of Young Lung Cancer was a groundbreaking study conducted between 2014–2017 that identified a unique population of people diagnosed with lung cancer at age 40 or under. The study found that nearly 79% of the study participants were diagnosed with stage 4 (IV) lung cancer while presenting as young and healthy, pointing to the urgency of proper follow-up for anyone showing symptoms consistent with lung cancer, regardless of age. The research findings inspired our follow-up study, the Epidemiology of Young Lung Cancer, which seeks to understand why so many younger adults are getting lung cancer.
Precision medicine
Precision medicine involves analyzing a wide range of genetic, molecular, and clinical data to find out what makes one cancer unique from others. This can identify the best treatment plan for each individual with cancer. In the context of lung cancer, biomarkers, mutations, or changes inside cancer cells that make them different from healthy cells, are an important part of precision medicine.
Comprehensive biomarker testing can tell what biomarkers a lung cancer has. This helps determine if targeted therapies, which are designed to kill cancer cells that have specific biomarkers, are a treatment option for someone with lung cancer. Our research team has been a part of efforts to understand certain biomarkers and how to improve the targeted therapy options associated with them.
ROS1
Despite advances in targeted therapy for people with ROS1-positive lung cancer, we don’t have a full picture of the characteristics of these people. ROS1 mutations are very rare (only 1% - 2% of all lung cancers), which makes it harder to find and reach people living with this mutation. We collaborated with other lung cancer advocates to conduct a global, online survey of people diagnosed with ROS1-positive lung cancer that asked about their demographics and clinical experiences. This survey resulted in the first global patient advocate-designed repository of information about people with ROS1-positive lung cancer. An initial description of the database information was published in the journal JCO Oncology Practice.
SPACEWALK
Despite the benefit ALK targeted therapies bring to treating ALK-positive NSCLC, many people with this type of lung cancer will, unfortunately, experience the cancer becoming resistant to these drugs. The Study of Plasma NGS for Assessment, Characterization, and Evaluation of Patients with ALK Resistance (SPACEWALK) analyzed biomarkers in blood samples collected from people with ALK-positive NSCLC who had progressed on ALK-targeted therapy to better understand how resistance happens. Early results were published in JTO: Clinical and Research Reports indicating potential methods that could lead to ALK targeted therapy resistance and that remote blood collection studies like SPACEWALK could be optimal ways to study targeted therapy resistance.
*Findings from the SPACEWALK study are currently being collected and a final summary report will be available to the public soon.
VALOR
For stage I NSCLC, surgery to remove the tumor is the standard treatment, but it requires a hospital stay for the procedure and recovery. Stereotactic radiotherapy is a growing outpatient alternative that uses highly targeted radiation, allowing patients to avoid hospitalization. While this approach may offer an easier recovery, doctors are still unsure whether it is as effective as surgery at treating the cancer. Veterans Affairs Lung Cancer Surgery Or Stereotactic Radiotherapy (VALOR) explored stereotactic radiotherapy as an alternative option.
Community engagement
A lung cancer diagnosis can feel isolating. Community engagement helps people living with lung cancer and their loved ones feel supported and empowered. We have dedicated research to reach diverse communities—so that anyone impacted by lung cancer knows that they’re not alone and that there are resources available for them.
STRIDES
We led the STRIDES study team to help improve the participation of communities of color in lung cancer clinical trials. This two-phase study surveyed and interviewed patients, doctors, and others who play a role in the clinical trial process, to find out what contributes to decreased clinical trial participation among Black people with lung cancer. The STRIDES study finished enrolling new participants at the end of 2023. Now, the study team is looking at the data from the project's first phase, aiming to share what the study has learned so far and any important implications for the lung cancer community in 2024. The project's second phase will use lessons learned to select and pilot different evidence-based initiatives to increase the participation of Black patients in clinical trials.
*Findings from the STRIDES study are currently being collected and a final summary report will be available to the public soon.
COVID-19 and lung cancer
The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the lung cancer community in a unique way. Since people with lung cancer may already have weakened immune systems or lung function, they may be more at risk for developing severe illness from COVID-19. GO2 for Lung Cancer was awarded a 5-year grant from the National Cancer Institute as part of its SeroNet initiative. This project seeks to uncover whether people with lung cancer, who are uniquely at risk for worse outcomes from COVID-19, have a different antibody response to the virus (SARS-CoV-2) compared to healthy individuals.
*Findings from the SeroNet initiative are currently being collected and a final summary report will be available to the public soon.
Quality of life
Lung cancer and its treatments can cause unwanted physical and emotional symptoms and side effects that can impact quality of life. From sexual health to stigma, our research has helped confront issues that people with lung cancer face to ultimately improve their quality of life.
Needs of long-term survivors
GO2 conducted an online survey of people living long-term with lung cancer and their loved ones. The survey asked about the most common and problematic side effects, symptoms, and experiences at different time periods following diagnosis. The most prevalent and problematic experiences from the beginning of treatment onwards were dyspnea (difficulty breathing), anxiety, and fatigue. Emotional effects were more problematic just after treatment ended and even after 5 more years of survivorship. Based on our results, GO2 started a webinar series for coping with these long-term effects and hopes this work will inform future support efforts.
Learn more about our research on the needs of long-term survivors
SHAWL
Sexual Health Assessment in Women with Lung Cancer (SHAWL) was a landmark survey on the impact of lung cancer treatments on women’s sexual health. The survey results showed that sexual dysfunction was prevalent—with 77% of participants reporting little to no interest in sexual activity. This study broke the silence on a prevalent issue for women with lung cancer, encouraging doctors and patients to integrate sexual health into thoracic oncology care.
Stigma
Our stigma study, conducted from 2008 to 2018, was the largest study to date on patient, provider, and public attitudes about lung cancer. The longitudinal study showed that over the 10-year period there was an improvement in the availability of treatment and awareness about lung cancer. However, patients perceived more stigma in 2018 than they did in 2008. Results confirmed the need to fight stigma and provide resources on how to cope for people impacted by lung cancer.