March 2, 2009
Coalition Selects Recipient of Inaugural Lung Cancer Promise of Tomorrow Award
Breathe California, in partnership with a collaboration of five other lung health organizations, has chosen the recipient of the inaugural $200,000 Lung Cancer Promise of Tomorrow Award. The award is made to researchers conducting groundbreaking work in lung cancer.
“Lung cancer is the deadliest form of cancer, yet it is also one of the most underfunded,” said Margo Sidener, President and CEO of Breathe California. “We’re proud to sponsor an award that will accelerate the study of this deadly disease and hopefully lead to a breakthrough in new treatments.”
“This shows a true spirit of collaboration which brings together organizations from across the country to collaborate on this award,” added Beth Stern, Executive Director of LUNGevity Foundation. “We’re working in coalition to support this researcher who is investigating signaling pathways, one of the most promising areas of study in the fight against lung cancer.”
The recipient of the inaugural award is Navdeep Chandel, PHD of Northwestern University. Mr. Chandel’s research addresses adenocarcinoma, a type of non small cell lung cancer which is increasingly affecting nonsmokers. Adenocarcinoma accounts for 30% of non small cell lung cancer cases.
"This award allows us to test fundamental biological mechanisms underlying the progression of lung cancer," said Mr. Chandel. "Furthermore, the award allows us to take a creative approach to understanding lung cancer that presently is difficult with the current NIH funding."
Mr. Chandel is investigating a unique cellular signaling system which may indicate the development of adenocarcinoma. Understanding how the system works may lead to development of new therapies and treatments for the disease.
Breathe California would like to thank the Elsie and Josephine Colombo Trust for their generous contribution in support of this award. We would also like to recognize Dr. Kamlesh Asotra, from the University of California’s Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program. Dr. Asotra spent countless hours reviewing applications as our local representative on the award’s peer review committee. The participation of Dr. Asotra and other committee members truly made this award possible.
Collaborating on this project are the LUNGevity Foundation, the Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago, Breathe New Hampshire, and the Arkansas Respiratory Health Association.
To learn more, please contact Breathe California at (408) 998-5865 or visit www.lungsrus.org.