The Power of Partnership

Advancing breakthroughs in RET-positive lung cancer require collaboration. At The Happy Lungs Project, we support researchers and fund research with the goal of keeping those who are currently living with RET positive non small-cell lung cancer alive, and find dependable treatments for long-term survival.

Below, we highlight the missions of several key nonprofits with which we partner – RETPositive, RET Renegades (program of LUNGevity), LUNGevity, GO2 for Lung Cancer, and Biomarker Collaborative. We also highlight a groundbreaking genetics study with 23andMe that could transform lung cancer care.

RETPositive – Raising Awareness and Driving Research

RETPositive is a community-driven nonprofit organization that supports patients and caregivers affected by RET-positive cancers.

RETpositive aims to improve the quality of life and life expectancy of RET-positive cancer patients by raising awareness, providing community support and advocacy, and funding medical research, including both RET Lung and Thyroid cancers. RETpositive’s commitment to empowering patients through knowledge and resources directly aligns with The Happy Lungs Project’s mission.

RET Renegades – A Patient-Led Movement

RET Renegades, supported by LUNGevity Foundation, is a patient-founded initiative that connects those with RET-positive lung cancer to life-changing information and support. By amplifying patient voices and collaborating with researchers, RET Renegades has created a powerful network that fosters hope and innovation. At The Happy Lungs Project, we are inspired by RET Renegades’ grassroots approach to building community and advancing science.

LUNGevity Foundation

LUNGevity Foundation, the nation’s leading lung cancer organization, is transforming what it means to be diagnosed and live with lung cancer. LUNGevity seeks to make an immediate impact on quality of life and survivorship for everyone touched by the disease—while promoting health equity by addressing disparities throughout the care continuum.

• Through research, we use an innovative and holistic approach to finding lung cancer earlier when it is most treatable; advance research into new treatments so people may live longer and better; and ensure a diverse, vital pipeline of investigators for the future of the lung cancer field.
• Through advocacy, we foster groundbreaking collaborations to ensure all people have access to screening, biomarker testing, and treatment breakthroughs.
• Through community, we educate, support, and connect people affected by lung cancer so that they can get the best healthcare and live longer and better lives.

Comprehensive resources include a medically vetted and patient-centric website, Patient Gateways for specific types of lung cancer, a toll-free HELPLine for personalized support, international survivor conferences, and tools to find a clinical trial. All these programs are designed to help us achieve our vision—a world where no one dies of lung cancer.

GO2 for Lung Cancer – A Comprehensive Advocacy Partner

GO2 for Lung Cancer puts people with lung cancer at the center of everything we do. We’re the go-to for one-on-one assistance, supportive connections, treatment information, and finding the best care close to home. We’re the place to go to learn about the latest research and special initiatives that increase survivorship.  We’re the source for improving health policies and leading public awareness to shift this disease from one of stigma to one of hope.

Together, GO2 and The Happy Lungs Project work to ensure that patients with RET-positive lung cancer receive access to cutting-edge care and resources.

Biomarker Collaborative – Expanding Knowledge Through Collaboration

The Biomarker Collaborative is a global, pan-tumor, multi-stakeholder organization under the direction of ICAN, International Cancer Advocacy Network.

The BC strives to encourage all stakeholders in the cancer arena (molecular testing labs, industry partners, academic medical centers, community oncology practices, and healthcare providers) to introduce patients to the most appropriate biomarker-specific patient advocacy organization.  In addition to matching incoming patients with the most relevant patient organizations, the BC educates patients and care partners about molecular profiling/comprehensive biomarker testing and leads discussions on potential collaborative research projects. Happy Lungs’ partnership ensures that RET-positive lung cancer research is a focal point in broader biomarker initiatives.

Groundbreaking Collaboration with 23andMe

As we advance the fight against lung cancer, genetics plays an important role in understanding the disease. The Happy Lungs Project, in collaboration with Troper Wojcicki Philanthropies and 23andMe, a leading genetic health and biopharmaceutical company, and 20 lung cancer advocacy organizations, recently announced a groundbreaking study: the Lung Cancer Genetics Study.

The focus of the Lung Cancer Genetics Study is to better understand the genetics of people with lung cancer in order to improve detection, risk reduction, and care. While recent developments in tumor genetic testing and targeted therapies have provided hope and years of survival to many lung cancer patients, lung cancer remains the number one cause of cancer deaths in both men and women in the United States. Yet, much remains unknown about the disease and its causes. The de-identified data from the study will be made available to approved researchers, and access to the scientific database will be available to nonprofit researchers and institutions at no cost.

Together, We Create Change

Collaboration is at the heart of progress in the fight against RET-positive lung cancer. Each of our partners brings unique strengths and perspectives that contribute to advancing research, funding, and patient care. At The Happy Lungs Project, we remain dedicated to improving outcomes for RET-positive lung cancer patients. Together with our valued partners, we are creating a future where hope is within reach for everyone facing lung cancer.

Irene Guijarro Munoz, our Director of Research

I assist investigators with the submission of grants to fund RET research projects focused on different areas, but with the main goal of finding better treatments for RET lung cancer patients. Some exciting projects I have worked on include the study of mechanisms of resistance to RET targeted therapies, investigating new combination therapies for RET lung cancer, and the development of new immunotherapies for RET lung cancer. 

I also coordinate and oversee the development of RET research funding proposals for pharma or commercial contractors.

But what I enjoy most is helping lung cancer patients and their families understand the RET positive lung cancer biology and the potential treatment options available. I am so grateful to be able to help lung cancer patients in any way I can. Every patient is special and reminds me of the importance of working hard and continue doing what we do.  

I’m originally from Madrid, Spain, although my family comes from a region called Castilla-La Mancha – the land of Don Quixote. I’ve loved science since I was little! I completed my PhD in Molecular Biology at Universidad Autonoma de Madrid. After that, I joined Dr. John Heymach’s laboratory at MD Anderson Cancer Center in 2014 as a postdoctoral fellow working on different projects aimed at finding new therapies for different subtypes of lung cancer including KRAS mutant lung cancer. In 2018, I transitioned to Research Project Manager at the Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology department at MD Anderson, where I assisted with the development of multiple grant submissions and oversaw the progress of the projects in the lab.

I am married to Enrique, who is from Navarre in northern Spain. We met in Houston while watching the NBA finals with some friends. We got married in 2021, and we have two children: a 2-year-old girl, Avi, and a 3 month-old baby, Martin. I love spending time outdoors with my family, especially traveling, hiking, and biking. I also have a passion for creative hobbies like painting and pottery. Music plays a big role in my life, and I hope to learn to play the guitar when I find the time!

I am thrilled to be part of The Happy Lungs Project and our work to educate RET lung cancer patients about research advances and treatment options. I’m grateful for the community support that makes that possible, and I feel inspired every day.

A few months ago Susan and I went on a hike together and soaked in the natural and stunning surroundings.

It is rare that someone steps into your life and truly changes it without even knowing it. Susan Wojcicki did that for me, and sitting at her funeral, I realized I was not alone. We had so much in common – five children, our commitment to family, a desire to see the good in the world, a shared religion, and, yes, a lung cancer diagnosis. Susan embodied my deepest values and brilliantly wound them together in a way that inspires me every day. Through her devotion to the people and causes she believed in most, Susan accomplished professionally what others deem impossible while providing deep, nourishing roots for her children and family. As she battled her final weeks of lung cancer, she continued supporting and working on the national lung cancer registry that will hopefully provide life-saving understanding for our children and our children’s children. She never gave up. Susan remains the ultimate force of good in our world. She used her brilliant mind, untamed resourcefulness, and staggering generosity to do it all. Susan is a daily reminder of how to live this precious and fragile life, and I feel so very blessed to have known her. Susan, your spirit will live on in me forever.

Ilana Stromberg

Over the past year, The Happy Lungs Project has been working on a strategic work plan in service to our mission. With involvement and input from key stakeholders, and thanks to the leadership of our board and support from Lilly, I am delighted to share our new mission statement:

To save the lives of RET-positive lung cancer patients by advancing research and treatment options.

In pursuit of our mission, our goals are to:

• Fund and facilitate research
• Foster communication among the scientific community
• Educate and encourage patient participation in biomarker testing, clinical trials, and lung cancer registries
• Raise funds and administer grants with transparent financials and sound governance

On today’s World Lung Cancer Day and every day, we are dedicated to being the go-to resource for RET-positive patients and caregivers. We look forward to sharing information that meets your needs and addresses your questions.

New and Enhanced Website Content

Scientific research can be confusing and overwhelming, right? That’s why The Happy Lungs Project is here: To help you understand RET-positive research and what it means for current treatment options and future therapies.

Our recent survey showed us what respondents want to know about RET-positive research, with questions like:

• “Are you researching how to keep one’s body strong while going through cancer treatments?”
• “Can you explain why this type of cancer is often caught so late and progresses so fast?”
• “What are new second generation treatments?”
• “Is there anything coming down the pike for RET positive patients?

We enhanced our website content in response to the survey responses we received and the needs of RET-positive lung cancer patients and caregivers

1. RET-Positive Lung Cancer Clinical Trial Matching – Clinical trials offer hope to patients – and critical information to researchers that can lead to improved treatment options. We provide information about the latest clinical trials for RET-positive patients. Use our tool to match to a trial.
2. Video Q&A Series – Coming soon, we will host a video series to help you make sense of the science, featuring questions from patients and caregivers that are answered by scientists and doctors.
3. Current RET Treatments – Lung cancer staging matters. Why? So your doctor can properly assess the spread of disease and identify the optimal treatment option. For patients with RET fusions or other RET mutations, there are targeted therapies that work to selectively block the RET molecule.
4. Resistance to RET Treatment – Cancer drug resistance means that a tumor no longer responds to anticancer drugs that were once effective. This can be a significant challenge, as it may limit treatment options and affect the patient’s prognosis.
5. HLP Funded Scientific Research Grants – We seek to support researchers and clinicians in their work toward a cure for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer caused by the RET mutation. While current treatments like Selpercatinib improve patient outcomes greatly, they are not a cure; some patients develop resistance, while others fail to respond. That’s why we aim to provide the resources necessary to develop treatments for NSCLC caused by the RET mutation, including novel drugs, procedures, and immunotherapies.
6. Patient Registries – We urge patients to share their medical histories with the lung cancer registries, because it creates a larger sample from which to make statistically meaningful interpretations. This is what drives life-saving research and better treatment options.

Our website content has been specifically designed to address the questions and needs identified in our recent survey. We are committed to providing the most relevant and cutting-edge information on RET-positive lung cancer, helping patients and caregivers navigate their journey with confidence and support.

We encourage you to explore these new resources and stay informed about the latest developments in RET-positive lung cancer research and treatment. Our goal is to be a comprehensive resource for the RET-positive community, ensuring that everyone has access to the information they need.

Best regards,

Ilana Stromberg

Join us in celebrating these exciting advancements related to RET-positive lung cancer research and treatment.

Collaborations that Make a Difference

We are actively partnering with key researchers from across the country, many of whom have joined our Scientific Advisory Board, who are collaborating with the common goal of finding a cure for RET-positive lung cancer. 

In addition, with the help of our Director of Research, Irene Guijarro Munoz, we are facilitating regular conferences where experts from major U.S. cancer centers (MD Anderson, Memorial Sloan Kettering, Massachusetts General/Harvard, Stanford, and UT Southwestern, among others) gather to discuss and share new findings on RET research. 

Exciting Research Advances

As a result of these collaborations, promising steps are being made in the area of investigating new therapies for RET-inhibitor resistant disease and developing new immunotherapies for RET cancer.

Our funded investigators performed a large characterization of RET cancer cells and tumors, and they found that certain RET alterations are more sensitive to specific RET inhibitors (drugs). This is clinically relevant and could potentially determine the optimal therapy for RET inhibitor-resistant patients bearing specific RET alterations. The research also identified different targets on the membrane of cells from RET tumors, and researchers are now working on targeting them using innovative approaches such as antibody-based immunotherapies.

With the aim of developing new immunotherapies for RET cancer, investigators were able to identify RET-specific antigens (molecules that are over-expressed on the surface of RET cancer tumors) and demonstrate that these molecules are able to be recognized by the immune system (by T cells) and destroyed. They are now validating these findings in the lab with the intention of developing new adoptive T cell therapies (TCR therapy) for RET tumors.

This is a type of therapy that uses the modification of T cells in a lab to treat cancer. T cells are taken from a patient’s blood, reengineered in the lab so they effectively attack cancer cells, grown and expanded to have large numbers of T cells and returned to the patient via infusion. Ideally, once validated, this cell therapy will be used to treat thousands of RET patients who are currently in need of new more durable treatments.

Our funded investigators have a track record of quickly translating their findings to the clinic. We are excited about the possibility of opening new clinical trials that are much needed for RET patients, especially those who are becoming resistant to current FDA-approved RET therapies.

Advancements and Hope for the Future

These research updates are important not only because they advance the science, but also because they provide hope to cancer survivors and their families. And this is all due to the support of The Happy Lungs Project from so many. Together, we are saving lives. Thank you!

When asked what you want to know about RET-positive research, 86% want to know about the latest scientific research, 66% want to know about available treatment options and 58% want to know about qualifying for a clinical trial.

We hear you! We are hard at work gathering the answers and will be back in touch shortly. Thanks so much for taking the survey.