RET-positive lung cancer is a rare type of cancer driven by a change in a gene called RET, which stands for “rearranged during transfection.” This gene helps control how cells grow and divide. When it fuses with another gene or mutates, it can cause cancer to grow and spread—especially in certain lung and thyroid cancers. Because RET changes are so rare, researchers don’t have enough lab models—called cancer cell lines—to fully study how the cancer behaves or how it becomes resistant to treatment.
One powerful way patients can help is by donating tumor tissue during a biopsy or surgery. That tissue can be used to grow RET-positive cancer cells in the lab, giving scientists tools to test new treatments and develop better, more personalized options. Thanks to the generosity of several RET patients, four new cancer cell lines are now being developed. If you’re a patient, talk to your care team about donating—your gift could move research forward and bring better treatments to others living with RET-driven cancer. (Source: The Happy Lungs Project)
