Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center's Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) in Lung Cancer was awarded by the National Cancer Institute in August of 2019 to support groundbreaking research that translates directly into improved prevention, detection, and treatment for patients. SPORE awards are intended to prevent new cases of cancer, as well as improve survival and quality of life for current patients. Key elements of the program are interdisciplinary collaboration, resource sharing, and inclusion of patient advocates on the research team.
The Fred Hutch Lung SPORE will support three upcoming clinical trials opening for patient enrollment in 2021. Our clinical trials will feature new treatments in immunotherapy, such as checkpoint inhibitors and cancer vaccines, intended to help patients’ own immune systems fight their cancer more effectively.
Fred Hutch patients can also participate in our Lung SPORE research studies by donating small samples of blood, plasma, or lung biopsy tissue during the course of their treatment. These specimens and patient data (such as age and tumor type) can be critically important in studying:
Our researchers use this information to help design future clinical trials.
Talk to your doctor about how you can contribute to lung cancer research.
Our Lung SPORE investigators are treating physicians at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and University of Washington.
Patients at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and University of Washington can also participate in our Lung SPORE research studies by donating small samples of blood, plasma, or lung biopsy tissue during the course of their treatment. These specimens and patient data (such as age and tumor type) can be critically important in studying mechanisms of disease, analyzing patient outcomes, and identifying potential therapies for lung cancer treatment. Our researchers use this information to help design future clinical trials. Talk to your doctor about how you can contribute to lung cancer research.
Dr. McGarry Houghton
The inclusion of patient advocates is a crucial element of our Lung SPORE. Our experienced patient advocates provide assurance that our clinical trials are designed to provide a meaningful patient impact. They also assist with outreach to the lung cancer patient community and assist with recruitment of patients to our research protocols and clinical trials.
Ms. Freeman-Daily is a metastatic lung cancer patient diagnosed in May 2011. Her self-advocacy enabled her to obtain biomarker testing that found the ROS1 gene alteration driving her tumor. This led her to enroll in a clinical trial at the University of Colorado, where she became a patient advocate on their Lung SPORE. Janet, a retired Boeing engineer in the Seattle area, now focuses on translating the science and experience of lung cancer for others. She blogs at Gray Connections, is a leader of The ROS1ders patient group, co-hosts #LCSM (Lung Cancer Social Media) Chat on Twitter, speaks at international cancer conferences, and is helping to develop the IASLC STARS (Supportive Training for Advocates in Research and Science) program.
Ms. Moffitt is a >15-year survivor of Stage IV NSCLC squamous cell. She received her treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester and initially became involved in advocacy programs there. Since that time, Pam has become involved in numerous review panels, including for the Department of Defense and the FDA. She is particularly interested in the informed consent process. Ms. Moffitt also is an advocate of lung cancer early detection programs and maintains an interest in the emotional cost that undiagnosed lung cancer can have on patients enrolled in lung cancer screening protocols.
Mr. Mitchell is a long-term survivor of small cell lung cancer (SCLC), a disease subtype for which there are few patient advocates. Mr. Mitchell brings his experience in this arena to assist the guidance of Project #3, which seeks to perform a clinical trial employing a novel therapeutic for SCLC patients.
Prospective lung cancer patients, their families and their caregivers need information on cancer, treatment options, access to care and supportive services. The resources listed below are a good place to start, along with Fred Hutch's Patient Treatment & Support information.