Research News

This study details a new computational method for analyzing how and when genetic changes happen. This is important because this method can be used in other studies to pinpoint where and when genetic changes happen for experimental studies, such as in lung cancer, which will lead to better understanding for future treatment targets and timing. Coauthor Johnathan Whetstine, PhD, was funded by the Lung Association Lung Cancer Discovery Award.

This study found a unique genetic signature of fibrosis in the lungs of severe COVID-19 patients who ultimate require a lung transplant due to the severity of lung injury. This is important because it provides some clues as to the mechanisms that lead to lung fibrosis in the most severe COVID-19 cases and may lead to new treatments to slow that progression. Coauthor Xiaoyi Yuan, PhD, was funded by the Lung Association Catalyst Award.

This study identified a new biomarker called somatic copy number altered driver (SCNA) genes in hard-to-treat ovarian cancer. This is important as there are some similarities with lung cancer, and now these biomarkers can be used to tailor therapeutics for precision medicine and better outcomes. This study was supported by a Stand Up To Cancer‐LUNGevity-American Lung Association Lung Cancer Interception Dream Team Translational Research Grant.

This study evaluated new curriculum for medical students, which focused on patient-centered learning, relationship building, and the role of patients as teachers. This is important because it provides an opportunity for preclinical students to develop empathy and patient-centered values to improve the quality of their care. Valerie Press, MD, was funded by the Lung Association Innovation Award for her work in reducing COPD Hospital readmissions.

This study found that patients who received lung cancer screening results need more information in order to understand their clinical findings. This was important in developing a commonly asked questions document to improve lung cancer screening reporting and better inform patient-doctor discussions. First author Kristina Crothers, M.D. received the Lung Cancer Discovery award for her work to educate patients with lung cancer on their test results and follow up.

This study found that roflumilast, an anti-inflammatory asthma and COPD medication, was related to increased risk of exacerbation in obese patients with poorly controlled asthma. This is important because patients with obesity often have severe, difficult to control asthma, and they may respond differently to medication compared to lean people with asthma, so treatments must be carefully customized. This study was performed by the Lung Association Airways Clinical Research Centers.

These conference proceedings summarize the massively harmful effects of climate change on human health, with topics ranging from threats to clean air, effects of extreme weather, equity in access to care, and mental health of patients and clinicians. These findings are important for health professionals to clinically address the multi-faceted consequences of climate change. Co-author Albert Rizzo, M.D., is the Chief Medical Officer for the American Lung Association.

This study developed a new approach to cancer detection using sequencing of DNA and computations to diagnose cancer. This is important because it addresses several challenges in cell-free DNA cancer detection, including cost-effectiveness and ability to detect several types of cancer, which leads to better screening rates and treatment. This work was supported by a Stand Up To Cancer-LUNGevity-American Lung Association Lung Cancer Interception Dream Team Translational Cancer Research Grant.

This study found that bronchodilators treatment did not improve respiratory symptoms in people who had a history of smoking tobacco, but no airway obstruction. This is important because there was previously no evidence for treating non-COPD patients with COPD medications to improve symptoms and this now expands thinking about new treatments to prevent progressive obstructive disease. Several Co-authors of the study are Lung Association ACRC investigators.

This pre-print study analyzed data from over 460,000 individuals and associates environmental carcinogens with the incidence of several cancers, including in patients with lung cancer who have never smoked and animal models. This study provides a mechanism of air pollution leading to lung cancer, highlighting the need to address air pollution in urban areas. This study was supported by the Stand Up To Cancer-LUNGevity-American Lung Association Lung Cancer Interception Dream Team Grant.