At GO2 for Lung Cancer, we confront lung cancer through innovative research programs to help find lifesaving treatments and cures. Our robust research program includes our research studies, Addario Lung Cancer Medical Institute (ALCMI), the Lung Cancer Registry, our research grants, and other contributions to the lung cancer field. These combined activities support research across the
care continuum, including increasing early detection, boosting rates of comprehensive biomarker testing and precision medicine, growing community engagement to ensure access to care, and improving quality of life.
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Confronting lung cancer through innovative research
Unlike most nonprofits, the majority of our work is achieved through collaborations with investigators in the field and/or conducted by our internal research team—not via external grants. The Addario Lung Cancer Medical Institute (ALCMI), our collaborative research partner, enables us to execute clinical trials that are person-centered and meaningful to the community. And our Lung Cancer Registry allows us to collect lived experience data directly from those diagnosed with lung cancer for research. These studies have resulted in scientific findings that improve the quality of life for people with lung cancer.
Select GO2 research studies
Lung Cancer Risk Survey
The risk survey asks about different areas of life that may increase or lower lung cancer risk. Through patterns, researchers can better understand who may be at higher risk and support early detection.
INHERIT
INHERIT seeks to discover the true origins of lung cancer that will transform survivorship among families and populations.
International Caregiver Survey
The International Caregiver Survey is designed to understand the experiences of individuals who help care for people with lung cancer.
Genomics of Young Lung Cancer
A groundbreaking study conducted between 2014-2017 identified a unique population of patients diagnosed with lung cancer at age 40 or under.
SHAWL
A landmark survey on the impact of lung cancer treatments on women’s sexual health. The survey found that women with lung cancer have different sexual health concerns when compared to women diagnosed with other cancers.
Stigma Assessment Study (2008-2018)
The largest ever study on patient, provider, and public attitudes about lung cancer. The longitudinal study showed that there was an improvement over the 10-year period in the availability of treatment and awareness about lung cancer.
Advocacy and partnerships for lung cancer research
GO2 for Lung Cancer relentlessly confronts lung cancer on every front, every day for everyone. And doing this right takes a community—not just researchers but also advocates, health educators, health systems, community leaders and partners, state and local partners, and pharmaceutical and biotech companies.
Our advocacy team stands up for you, and we are the voice of the lung cancer community educating lawmakers on health disparities, changing policies to improve access to high quality, affordable care and increasing federal research funding to accelerate breakthroughs and cure this disease.
We leverage our GO2 Centers of Excellence to increase clinical research and to make clinical trials more accessible and patient-centric. We partner with:
Community-based organizations and healthcare institutions to address gaps in lung cancer research access and bring opportunities to participate in lung cancer research closer to home.
Community health educators and advocates to expand awareness of and access to clinical trials.
Research and industry sponsors to ensure that research studies and clinical trials are designed and carried outin a way that considers the patient experience and preferences.
Top hospitals and academic medical centers in our pursuit of research breakthroughs and better outcomes for people diagnosed and living with lung cancer.
The GO2 Lung Cancer Registry is a place where you can share your lung cancer experience and help improve care and research for others. When you join the registry, you can:
- Share your story by answering surveys about your diagnosis, treatments, side effects, and quality of life.
- Help researchers learn from real patient experiences to improve lung cancer care.
- Complete short surveys every few months so researchers can understand how things change over time.
- Be part of a global community of patients, survivors, caregivers, and researchers working to improve lung cancer outcomes.
- See anonymous information from other participants and learn how their experiences compare.
- Get updates about clinical trials, which are research studies testing new treatments.
You can join if you:
- Are 18 or older and have lung cancer
- Are at risk for lung cancer
- Are a caregiver for someone with lung cancer (living or deceased)
You can enter your own information, or a trusted caregiver (such as a spouse, family member, or friend) can enter it for you if they have access to your medical records.
A clinical trial is a research study involving people. Lung cancer clinical trials can study new therapies, new uses for already approved therapies, or new combinations of already approved therapies. Some people participate in a clinical trial because none of the approved treatment options have worked or because they can’t tolerate some of the side effects of their current treatment. Others participate because they want to contribute to lung cancer research.
Clinical trials are a vital tool for advancing research and improving outcomes for the lung cancer community. The first-ever targeted therapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in people with a KRAS mutation was approved after a clinical trial. So was the first small cell lung cancer (SCLC) approved immunotherapy. From 2020 to 2023 alone, about 29 new FDA approvals for new ways of managing lung cancer were made based on the results from clinical trials.
There are several ways to learn about clinical trials, including talking to your doctor. GO2 for Lung Cancer can also help—for free. Our specially trained LungMATCH treatment and trials navigators, available through our HelpLine, partner with patients and caregivers throughout their journey to clarify options, identify appropriate clinical trials, and explain the results of comprehensive biomarker testing.
When we achieve research results for our community, we share them—including publishing our findings via scientific articles and papers. Since 2019 alone, we have published over 30 scientific papers on topics ranging from how ALK-positive lung cancer changes after targeted therapy treatment to how to effectively leverage social media to increase lung cancer screening awareness and uptake among high-risk populations. We also share the latest news about the lung cancer treatment landscape through our email communications.
We not only conduct research; we also fund the work of promising young researchers in the field of lung cancer. In the past, we’ve awarded young investigators grants to study why some patients respond better to radiation than others, whether mutations in lung cancer tumors can be identified through a patient’s breath, and other innovative research projects. And our Young Innovators Team Award supported research with the potential for high clinical impact in lung cancer.