The American Lung Association has awarded Alex Jaeger, Ph.D., an assistant member of the Molecular Oncology Department at Moffitt Cancer Center, with the Lung Cancer Discovery Award. This award recognizes Dr. Jaeger's research on lung cancer.
In the past year, the American Lung Association Research Institute has announced a $22 million investment in research, marking it as one of the largest programs in the United States dedicated to lung health. The organization funded 139 research grants, including those from the Airways Clinical Research Centers and strategic partnerships aimed at identifying, treating, and curing lung diseases.
"This year, the American Lung Association is celebrating 120 years of funding lifesaving research," said Brenda Connolly from Moffitt Cancer Center. "Here in Florida, lung cancer research is critical. More than 18,600 Floridians are estimated to be diagnosed with lung cancer this year alone."
Lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer deaths globally. Approximately 25% of individuals with lung cancer have a KRAS gene mutation linked to rapid cell growth that can result in cancer. Although new drugs targeting KRAS mutations have been developed, many patients still face drug resistance issues. Dr. Jaeger's work focuses on enhancing lung cancer treatment by examining KRAS inhibition and its effects on the immune system.
"KRAS inhibitors are poised to become a mainstay in lung cancer treatment for years to come," said Dr. Jaeger. "In this work, we aim to identify how KRAS inhibitors alter antigen presentation in lung cancer."
"Moffitt Cancer Center is a leader in cancer research and treatment," stated Steven Riddle from the American Lung Association in Florida.
Over the last decade, four researchers from Moffitt Cancer Center have received grants from the Lung Association. These projects undergo rigorous scientific peer review before selection and cover various complex issues related to lung health.
Awards were distributed across several categories addressing different aspects of lung disease including allergic respiratory diseases, respiratory health equity research, emerging respiratory diseases like COVID-19, public health policy research, and interstitial lung disease among others.
The Lung Association is currently accepting applications for its upcoming 2025-2026 research awards cycle.
