LUNGevity Foundation awarded grant to develop educational materials on immuno-oncology

LUNGevity Foundation is honored to announce a grant of $250,000 from Bristol-Myers Squibb for the development of educational materials on immuno-oncology. Progress in understanding lung cancer and treatment approaches has accelerated dramatically in the past several years after many slow decades. While no immunotherapeutic drugs are currently approved for lung cancer, this new area of research is very active, with Bristol-Myers Squibb one of the frontrunners in the field.  Immuno-oncology treatments are different from other lung cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, and targeted therapies, in that they make use of the power of a patient's own immune system to prevent tumors from growing.

LUNGevity is committed not only to increasing the treatment options for those living with lung cancer through its own lung cancer research awards program, but also to building on its patient education offerings, with the goal of providing clear and thorough information so that patients and caregivers can understand all of these options and make the most informed treatment decisions.

The new immuno-oncology materials will soon be available on the LUNGevity website, joining the foundation's other educational resources, including the Ask the Experts online message board and blogs, webinars, podcasts and videos on important topics of interest to those diagnosed with lung cancer.

"This generous grant will make a meaningful difference in how we can serve the lung cancer community. We are grateful for this opportunity as well as excited about the potential that immuno-oncology treatments hold for lung cancer patients," said Andrea Stern Ferris, President and Chairman of LUNGevity.