Genetics Study Brings Lung Cancer Hope
Lung Cancer Genetics Study: New Hope Through Genetic Research
Learn how the Lung Cancer Genetics Study is collecting patient genetic and clinical data to accelerate discoveries, support personalized treatment, and bring new hope to families facing lung cancer.
A powerful new genetics study is offering fresh hope in the fight against lung cancer — especially for patients with rare mutations and those who’ve never smoked. The Lung Cancer Genetics Study, launched in 2024 by 23andMe and supported by nearly two dozen patient advocacy groups, is collecting genetic and clinical data from thousands of lung cancer patients to help uncover what drives this complex disease. It’s one of the first efforts of its kind to truly center patient voices from the beginning, ensuring that research reflects real-world experiences.
The project began with a friendship between two women living with lung cancer, Ilana Stromberg and Susan Troper Wojcicki, both mothers of five and determined to make a difference. Motivated by the lack of research and funding for lung cancer, especially RET-positive and other biomarker-driven subtypes, they envisioned a national lung cancer registry that could drive discoveries and lead to better, more personalized treatments. Susan’s passing in 2024 makes the study even more meaningful to those involved. Her legacy lives on through this groundbreaking initiative, which is expected to accelerate research and give families facing lung cancer a renewed sense of hope. (Source: 23andMe Blog)
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Immune Cells Team Up to Kill Tumors
How Immune Cells Work Together to Kill Tumors
How immune cells work together to kill tumors is becoming clearer thanks to a promising new discovery from scientists at Emory’s Winship Cancer Institute. They found that two types of immune cells — T helper 17 (Th17) cells and B cells — can work together to destroy solid tumors and help prevent them from returning. This partnership was unexpected, as most immunotherapies have focused on T cells alone. But in this study, Th17 cells only succeeded in protecting against cancer when B cells were present. These B cells didn’t just help — they produced powerful tumor-fighting antibodies that continued to protect the body long after treatment.
Why does this matter for patients with advanced or treatment-resistant cancer? This research points to a new path in immunotherapy: using the body’s own cells, not just to attack tumors, but to create lasting protection. It could lead to therapies that are more effective for cancers that haven’t responded to current treatments. And because the therapy worked even after the cancer came back in the study’s models, it holds special hope for preventing recurrence — a critical concern for anyone living with stage 4 cancer. A version of this therapy is already being developed for human use. (Source: Emory University Winship Cancer Institute)
Resources for Living With Stage 4 Cancer
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Boosting Cancer Immunity Through Fasting
Fasting and Cancer Immunity Explained
How Fasting May Supercharge the Immune System to Better Fight Cancer…
More than a dozen types of cancer are sensitive to obesity, which can cause inflammation that damages cells, increased hormone levels, and other changes. So it makes sense for researchers to explore whether fasting to slow body fat and improve metabolic health might improve outcomes.
Now laboratory researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) and their collaborators have found that fasting can SUPERCHARGE the immune system’s “natural killer” cells. (Natural killer cells, or NK cells, for short, are a type of white blood cell that can kill abnormal or damaged cells, such as cancer cells.)
Fasting can reprogram the metabolism of natural killer cells, the team found in a study of mice. Those reprogrammed cells are better able to survive in the harsh environment in and around tumors. Their cancer-fighting ability is stronger, too.
The research, which was published in Immunity — one of the top immunology journals — explains how natural killer cells get reprogrammed during periods of fasting. The researchers are optimistic that what they’re learning in animal models could help make human immunotherapies more effective in people.
“Tumors are very hungry,” says immunologist Joseph Sun, PhD, the study’s senior author. “They use up the essential nutrients flowing to normal tissue. In that nutrient-starved environment, it is harder for natural killer cells to survive, so their function is impaired. Fasting reprograms these natural killer cells to better survive in this suppressive environment.”
What Are Natural Killer Cells?
Natural killer cells get their name because they can destroy a threat without having to recognize that threat — unlike other immune cells, called T cells, which require exposure to a specific threat in order to target it.
In general, the more NK cells that are present within a tumor, the better the prognosis is for the patient.
How Fasting Reprograms and Redistributes NK Cells
For the study, mice with cancer were fasted for 24 hours twice a week and then allowed to eat freely in between fasts. While the mice did not lose weight, the fasting had a profound effect on their natural killer immune cells.
Just as happens in humans, fasted mice saw a drop in their glucose levels and a rise in free fatty acids, which are lipids released by fat cells.
“During each of these fasting cycles, NK cells learned to use these fatty acids as an alternative fuel source to glucose,” says study first author Rebecca Delconte, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow in the Sun Lab. “This really improves their response against cancer and helps them survive in the harsh environment around the tumor.”
Fasting also led NK cells to travel to and interact with different parts of the body in big numbers. Many of the NK cells travel into the bone marrow, where they are programmed to develop a more powerful response against cancer. Meanwhile, NK cells that travel to the spleen undergo a separate reprogramming, making them better able to use lipids as a fuel source.
“With both of these mechanisms put together, we find that NK cells will move to the tumor and be primed to better kill the cancer cells,” Dr. Delconte says. “They’re more able to survive in this harsh environment, and their power is strengthened against cancer cells.”
Potential To Improve Cancer Treatments
There are several potential opportunities to advance the mouse-model research toward treating patients in the clinic, the researchers say.
First, clinical trials are already beginning to study the safety and effectiveness of fasting in combination with standard treatments. Another avenue would be to identify drugs that could mimic the underlying mechanisms without requiring patients to fast. Third, small molecules might be able to be put into a pill and taken outside of the body and then administered back to patients to improve treatment effects.
Right now, however, more clinical data is still needed about the effects of fasting for people with cancer, MSK researchers say.
There are many different types of fasting, and some might be helpful while others might be harmful. Patients should speak with their doctors about what’s safe and healthy for their individual situation. (Source: Memorial Sloan Kettering News- 2025, Issue 1)
Resources for Living With Stage 4 Cancer
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A New Cancer Therapy: Exercise
How Exercise May Help Improve Energy, Brain Function, and Recovery During and After Cancer Treatment
Many people facing cancer treatment are told to rest—and while rest is important, research is showing something surprising:
Exercise may be one of the most powerful tools to support recovery during and after cancer treatment.
In fact, new research suggests that movement doesn’t just improve energy and strength—it may even play a role in how the body responds to cancer itself.
What Cancer Patients and Astronauts Have in Common
New cancer patients may be surprised to learn they share something in common with astronauts in space.
According to researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering, the effects of inactivity during cancer treatment can be similar to what astronauts experience in zero gravity. Both can lead to:
- Loss of muscle strength
- Reduced cardiovascular fitness
- Changes in brain function
NASA researchers even use the term “space fog”—a condition that closely resembles what cancer patients often call chemo brain.
What Is Chemo Brain (Chemo Brain Fog)?
Chemo brain, also called chemo brain fog, refers to cognitive changes that can happen during or after cancer treatment.
People often describe it as:
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory problems
- Trouble finding the right words
- Mental “slowness” or fogginess
These symptoms can be frustrating and may affect work, relationships, and daily life.
Chemo brain is not just “in your head.” It is a real and recognized side effect of cancer treatment, likely caused by a combination of:
- Chemotherapy effects on the brain
- Inflammation
- Fatigue
- Stress and emotional strain
How Long Does Chemo Fatigue Last?
Fatigue is one of the most common side effects of cancer treatment.
For many people:
- Fatigue begins during treatment
- It may continue for weeks or months afterward
- Some experience longer-term fatigue, especially after intensive treatment
Unlike normal tiredness, chemo fatigue does not always improve with rest alone. This is where new research is changing the conversation.
How to Regain Energy After Chemotherapy
It may seem counterintuitive, but one of the most effective ways to regain energy after chemotherapy is through gentle, consistent movement.
Research shows that exercise can:
- Improve energy levels
- Reduce fatigue
- Support heart and lung function
- Help rebuild muscle strength
- Improve mood and mental clarity
Even small amounts of movement—like walking a few times a week—can make a meaningful difference.
A Shift in Thinking: Exercise as Therapy
Contrary to popular belief, the best way to recover from cancer treatment is not always to stay in bed.
Exercise physiologists at Memorial Sloan Kettering emphasize that:
- Regular movement improves both physical and mental health
- Exercise helps reduce long-term side effects of treatment
- Patients who exercise experience less decline in overall fitness
In one study, people undergoing chemotherapy experienced a 15% drop in fitness levels, similar to a decade of aging—but exercising just three times per week significantly reduced that decline.
Exercise Guidelines for Cancer Survivors
While every person’s situation is different, general exercise guidelines for cancer survivors often include:
- Start slow and build gradually
- Aim for light to moderate activity (like walking)
- Work toward 150–225 minutes per week, if possible
- Include both aerobic activity and strength training
- Listen to your body and rest when needed
It’s always best to speak with your care team or an exercise specialist before starting a new routine.
Can Exercise Help Chemo Brain?
Emerging research suggests that exercise may also help improve cognitive function.
Chemo Brain Exercises That May Help:
- Walking or light cardio (improves blood flow to the brain)
- Strength training (supports brain-body connection)
- Balance and coordination exercises
- Mind-body practices like yoga
Exercise may help:
- Improve focus and attention
- Support memory function
- Reduce mental fatigue
This is one of the reasons researchers are studying exercise not just as recovery—but as a form of therapy.
A Groundbreaking Clinical Trial on Exercise and Cancer
In a first-of-its-kind clinical trial, researchers studied how different “doses” of exercise affected men with prostate cancer before surgery.
Participants were assigned structured exercise plans ranging from:
- 90 minutes per week
- Up to 450 minutes per week
The results were surprising.
Most of the benefit occurred at 225 minutes per week (about 3 hours and 45 minutes)—with no added benefit beyond that level. This challenges the idea that more exercise is always better.
Can Exercise Affect Cancer Itself?
Researchers are now exploring whether exercise can do more than improve symptoms.
Early evidence suggests exercise may:
- Influence tumor biology
- Improve how treatments work
- Potentially slow cancer progression
While more research is needed, this opens the door to a new concept:
Exercise as part of cancer treatment—not just recovery.
Finding a Sense of Control During Cancer
For many patients, exercise provides something just as important as physical benefits—a sense of control.
During a time when so much feels uncertain, movement can be:
- A daily routine
- A personal goal
- A way to actively participate in your healing
As one patient shared, exercise became something “100% under my control” during treatment.
Why This Matters
This research is changing how we think about cancer care.
Instead of focusing only on treatment, there is growing recognition that:
- Supporting the whole body matters
- Recovery is active, not passive
- Small, consistent steps can lead to meaningful improvements
Exercise is not a cure—but it is a powerful tool.
(Source: Memorial Sloan Kettering News- 2025, Issue 1)
Resources for Living With Stage 4 Cancer
Learn more about topics like exercise and cancer treatment, along with other important aspects of living with Stage 4 cancer. Become a member of our community to gain access to trusted resources, online support and education from Dr. Sharon May, Ph.D., LMFT, medical updates, and invitations to supportive virtual gatherings.
Innovations Bring Hope to Lung Patients
New Lung Cancer Innovations Offering Hope to Patients
At Memorial Sloan Kettering, cutting-edge lung cancer care is changing lives—especially for those with advanced disease. Take Jen Cosgrove, a mother diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer that had spread. Thanks to precise testing, doctors found her tumor had an ALK gene mutation, which responds well to targeted therapy called alectinib. Jen saw dramatic improvements within days and has been able to share important milestones with her children she once feared missing. MSK’s expert care, innovative treatments, and thorough diagnostics give patients like Jen hope and more time with their loved ones.
New Discoveries in Lung Cancer Detection
MSK researchers are also uncovering new types of lung cancer and better ways to detect it early. For example, they identified a rare form called atypical small cell lung carcinoma in younger patients who never smoked. Early detection remains critical, and MSK is developing noninvasive tools like the “E-nose,” a device that detects cancer-related chemicals in breath, which could make screening easier and less stressful. Lab studies on lung stem cells and tumor growth help scientists understand how cancer starts and grows, leading to better treatments. For patients facing lung cancer, these advances mean earlier diagnosis, more personalized care, and brighter hope for the future. (Source: Memorial Sloan Kettering)
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Hope from Metastasis Research
Hope from Metastasis Research: New Advances for Stage 4 Cancer
Learn how metastasis research is uncovering how cancer spreads and resists treatment, including 3D patient models and new clinical trials offering hope for stage 4 cancer.
Metastasis is when cancer spreads from the original tumor to other parts of the body, and it’s often the toughest part to treat. Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering are studying how these metastatic cancer cells change and adapt to survive treatments. They found that metastatic cells can “shift” their identity to better survive, which helps explain why they become harder to stop over time.
At MSK, doctors are creating patient-based 3D models to better understand lung cancer spread and to test how different treatments work. There’s also a clinical trial exploring a drug that stops cancer cells in the brain and spine from stealing iron, which they need to grow and to avoid immune attack. This research is paving the way toward treatments that are more targeted and personalized.
For patients with late-stage or metastatic cancer, these advances offer hope for longer control of the disease and, one day, new ways to stop metastasis altogether. (Source: Memorial Sloan Kettering)
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Resources for Living With Stage 4 Cancer
Learn more about topics like metastasis research, along with other important aspects of living with Stage 4 cancer. Become a member of our community to gain access to trusted resources, as well as online support and education from Dr. Sharon May, Ph.D., LMFT.
Precision Cancer Testing Brings New Hope
Precision Cancer Testing Brings New Hope for Stage 4 Cancer
At Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Center for Molecular Oncology, doctors use advanced testing to find the exact changes in a person’s cancer cells. This helps them choose treatments that specifically target those changes, giving patients a better chance at controlling their cancer. Over the past decade, tests like MSK-IMPACT® have made it possible to check for hundreds of genetic changes, even through simple blood tests, helping people with advanced or rare cancers find personalized therapies. But DNA testing doesn’t show everything, so new tests that look at how cancer cells use genes (called RNA tests) and even check all of a person’s genes (whole-genome sequencing) are coming soon. These tools aim to help patients who don’t respond to current treatments and could also guide immunotherapy, which uses the body’s immune system to fight cancer.
This kind of testing can also find inherited gene changes that increase cancer risk, helping families take steps to prevent cancer early. One inspiring example is patient Michael Wolff, a jazz pianist whose rare cancer was identified through molecular testing. Doctors found a gene mutation that led to a drug treatment which quickly stopped his symptoms and shrank his tumors. His success shows how precise testing can save lives and open the door to new treatments for cancers that were once very hard to treat. For patients with stage 4 or difficult cancers, these advances mean more hope for better, tailored care—and the chance for improved quality of life. (Source: Memorial Sloan Kettering)
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Learn more about topics like precision cancer testing for stage 4 cancer. Become a member of our community to gain access to trusted resources, as well as online support and education from Dr. Sharon May, Ph.D., LMFT.
Cancer Vaccines Offer New Hope
Cancer Vaccines Offer New Hope: mRNA Breakthroughs for Stage 4 Cancer
Discover how therapeutic and personalized mRNA cancer vaccines are training the immune system to fight advanced cancers, with promising early clinical trial results.
Cancer vaccines, once considered a distant dream, are becoming a hopeful reality thanks to groundbreaking research inspired by the success of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. Unlike traditional vaccines designed to prevent illnesses, therapeutic cancer vaccines teach the body’s own immune system how to recognize and attack cancer cells. Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) researchers, building on ideas first imagined over a century ago, have significantly advanced these vaccines. Dr. David Scheinberg, a leading researcher at MSK, explains that new technologies now allow vaccines to target multiple proteins specific to cancer cells, making treatments more effective and reducing side effects compared to chemotherapy and radiation.
One promising area is personalized mRNA cancer vaccines, custom-made for each patient based on their tumor’s unique characteristics. Early trials, particularly in pancreatic cancer, have shown encouraging results, with vaccinated patients’ immune cells remaining active for years. Additionally, MSK researchers are developing off-the-shelf vaccines targeting common cancer markers, such as WT1, found in leukemia and ovarian cancer. These vaccines could soon offer accessible, affordable options for many patients. The rapid progress in cancer vaccine development at MSK offers genuine optimism, especially for patients fighting advanced or hard-to-treat cancers. (Source: Memorial Sloan Kettering)
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Learn more about topics like mRNA cancer vaccines for stage 4 cancer. Become a member of our community to gain access to trusted resources, as well as online support and education from Dr. Sharon May, Ph.D., LMFT.
When a Cough Could Be Lung Cancer
When a Cough Could Be Lung Cancer: Signs, Risks, and Next Steps
A chronic cough is often just a sign of something like a cold, allergies, or asthma — but in some cases, it may be a warning sign of lung cancer. According to lung cancer experts, including Dr. Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani of Emory University, a cough that lasts longer than 8 to 12 weeks, worsens over time, or comes with other symptoms like coughing up blood, chest tightness, or unexplained weight loss should not be ignored. While many types of cough can happen with lung cancer, the most common is a dry, persistent cough that doesn’t go away with typical treatments.
People with lung cancer may also experience pressure in the chest, shortness of breath, or coughing due to fluid buildup around the lungs. Treatments to ease this kind of cough vary. For some, shrinking the tumor with chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy helps reduce coughing. Others may need fluid drained from their lungs or use home remedies like steam, hydration, or honey to manage the symptom. While only a small number of people with a chronic cough actually have lung cancer, it’s especially important for those at high risk — such as longtime smokers — to speak with their doctor and consider annual lung cancer screenings. (Source: Verywell Health)
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Learn more about topics like chronic cough as a sign of lung cancer. Become a member of our community to gain access to trusted resources, as well as online support and education from Dr. Sharon May, Ph.D., LMFT.
Consider Donating to Advance Research
RET-Positive Lung Cancer Research: How Tissue Donation Helps
RET-positive lung cancer is rare, and researchers need better lab models to study it. Learn how donating tumor tissue can help create cell lines and advance targeted treatments.
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. That makes it harder to study how the cancer behaves and 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 help bring better treatments to others living with RET-driven cancer. (Source: The Happy Lungs Project)
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Resources for Living With Stage 4 Cancer
Learn more about topics like RET-positive lung cancer research. Become a member of our community to gain access to trusted resources, as well as online support and education from Dr. Sharon May, Ph.D., LMFT.
Targeted Therapies Bring New Hope in Lung Cancer
New Lung Cancer Treatments Offering Hope Through Research
Recent advancements in lung cancer treatment are offering new hope, especially for those with advanced or hard-to-treat cases. Scientists are developing highly targeted drugs that focus on the unique features of each person’s cancer. These treatments aim to attack only the cancer cells—sparing healthy ones—and may reduce side effects while helping patients live longer. New tools like antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and bispecific antibodies are leading the way, with some early results showing success even in cases where standard chemo and immunotherapy haven’t worked well.
Some of these new drugs target specific proteins found in certain lung cancers, including those seen in both non-small cell (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Researchers are also exploring ways to combine immune-based therapies with these new targeted drugs to overcome resistance and keep the cancer from returning. While many of these treatments are still in early testing, they represent a major step toward more personalized—and more hopeful—options for lung cancer patients. (Source: Drug Target Review)
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Study Offers Hope for Women with Lung Cancer
Lung Cancer Treatment for Women: New Research Insights
A new study is exploring why some treatments don’t work as well for women with squamous cell lung cancer, a common type of non-small cell lung cancer often linked to smoking. This form of lung cancer hasn’t responded well to the newer targeted therapies that help other types of lung cancer. But researcher Dr. Milica Momcilovic is working to change that by studying how hormones like estrogen may affect treatment outcomes in women.
What is TAK228, and why is it being studied?
TAK228 (also called sapanisertib) is an investigational targeted therapy designed to block the mTOR pathway, a major growth-and-survival signaling system that many cancers rely on. It’s considered a dual mTORC1/mTORC2 inhibitor, meaning it can shut down two key “switches” within the mTOR system that help tumor cells grow and resist treatment. Researchers are studying TAK228 in lung cancer, especially squamous cell lung cancer. This subtype has fewer targeted treatment options than other forms of non-small cell lung cancer.
Her early research in lab and animal models suggests that TAK228 may affect male and female tumors differently. In mouse models of squamous cell lung cancer, TAK228 reduced tumor growth more in male mice than in female mice. Researchers think estrogen-related signaling may interfere with how female tumors respond. When researchers paired TAK228 with an anti-estrogen medication (such as letrozole, a drug used to lower estrogen levels), tumors in female mice responded better and tumor growth decreased more significantly. This could eventually lead to more personalized treatments for women with lung cancer, helping doctors choose the right therapies and improving survival and quality of life. (Source: American Lung Association)
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