From the Lung Foundation Australia website, August 1, 2017:
Shine a Light on Lung Cancer initiative funds important research
Today (1st August) is World Lung Cancer Day and Lung Foundation Australia is pleased to announce the suite of lung cancer research initiatives that have been made possible by the community’s fundraising efforts through our Shine a Light on Lung Cancer events. Over the past two years, our Shine a Light on Lung Cancer supporters have raised over $110,000 which will be invested into research to help improve outcomes for those diagnosed with lung cancer.
The lung cancer community has increased its support even further in 2017, with an additional $70,000 raised already this year for lung cancer research. To find out more about our Shine a Light on Lung Cancer events, please visit the webpage.
How we have allocated these funds
The $110,000 raised over the past two years through Shine a Light on Lung Cancer events has been allocated to the following two initiatives:
1. $50,000 has been invested to support Australasian Lung Cancer Trials Group (ALTG) studies and help researchers develop their lung cancer research ideas to a point where they can attract additional external funding.
Lung Foundation Australia launched the Australasian Lung Cancer Trials Group (ALTG) in 2004. It is a multi-disciplinary clinical trials group dedicated to reducing the incidence, morbidity and mortality of lung and other thoracic cancers, and to improving the quality of life for patients, carers and families in Australia and New Zealand through the coordination and facilitation of high quality clinical research. Research concepts that are being developed include:
- Fear of recurrence in patients with early stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. This study will help identify people who have a have a heightened fear of recurrence (cancer coming back) to enable earlier recognition and intervention that will improve their quality of life.
- A randomised phase II trial of consolidation treatment in limited-stage Small Cell Lung Cancer after chemo-radiotherapy. This study aims to evaluate if patients treated with a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy and Prophylactic Cranial Irradiation (PCI) followed by consolidation immuno-oncology treatment have a better outcome compared to patients treated with chemo-radiotherapy and PCI alone.
- A multicentre randomised trial comparing primary care vs hospital-based follow-up following surgical lobectomy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. This study will look at options for how people who have had surgery for early stage lung cancer can be looked after by a primary care medical team.
- A Phase II study of combining two immuno-oncology drugs in patients with relapsed EGFR mutant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of combination immuno-oncology treatments in patients with relapsed EGFR mutant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.
2. $60,000 will be leveraged to support a three year PhD Scholarship in Lung Cancer Research ($20,000 per year).
Lung Foundation Australia is currently calling for applications from Australian Universities to partner and co-fund a PhD Scholarship in Lung Cancer Research by providing matched funding ($60,000) or a greater value. This PhD will be at a Medical level stipend, which means it will be undertaken by a researcher who has a medical qualification.
Applications will undergo peer-review by the Australasian Lung Cancer Trials Group (ALTG) Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) and the successful applicant will be announced in November for research to commence in 2018. Apply now.
For more information, please contact:
Glenda Colburn
General Manager – Research
T: 07 3251 3636
E: glenda@lungfoundation.com.au
