The Lung Cancer Research Foundation has expanded its 2025 funding slate, awarding five new research grants aimed at improving diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes for people with lung cancer. Additionally, the awards include three Leading-Edge Research Awards, one grant focused on overcoming treatment resistance, and one Minority Career Development Award for Lung Cancer.
In addition, the new grants build on fourteen awards announced in early December 2025, making this funding cycle the largest in the foundation’s history. Consequently, LCRF has now issued 21 grants totaling more than USD$5 million during the year.
Also in 2025, LCRF funded the American Lung Cancer Screening Initiative’s “Plus One” screening program and research study. Furthermore, the foundation backed a three-year collaborative project with the Israeli Cancer Research Fund. Additionally, it announced two research grants with Bayer Pharmaceuticals (OTCMKTS: BAYRY) focused on lung cancers involving HER2 mutations and related alterations.
Meanwhile, AstraZeneca (NASDAQ: AZN) partnered with LCRF to support three awards centered on prevention and early detection. A senior U.S. lung cancer executive at the company said the partnership reflects a shared focus on improving survival by catching disease earlier, rather than only treating advanced cases.
LCRF leadership said the growing portfolio reflects confidence from donors and industry partners during a volatile research-funding environment. Consequently, the organization has positioned itself as a bridge where public funding may fall short, with the goal of sustaining research momentum.
Furthermore, members of LCRF’s scientific advisory board emphasized that the active research portfolio now supports more than USD$21 million in lung cancer projects. More funding, they said, translates into more chances to identify advances that can meaningfully improve patient care.
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Small cell lung cancer one of the most aggressive forms
Among the newly funded projects is work led by Joseph Chan, MD, PhD, at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. His study focuses on biomarkers linked to response and side effects from tarlatamab, a newly approved therapy for metastatic small cell lung cancer.
Small cell lung cancer remains one of the most aggressive forms of the disease. However, new treatments are beginning to show promise. Tarlatamab has produced encouraging early responses, but it can trigger cytokine release syndrome. This syndrome is an immune reaction that may cause fever, low blood pressure, and breathing difficulty.
Chan’s project aims to predict which patients will benefit and who may face higher risk from side effects. Additionally, the research uses advanced laboratory tools alongside computer modeling to guide more personalized treatment decisions. Consequently, clinicians could deliver therapy more safely and conveniently while extending patient survival.
In parallel with nonprofit-funded research, startups are pushing new approaches into the cancer-care pipeline. Breath Diagnostics, a lung cancer screening company, is nearing 30 per cent of its goal in a USD$3 million fundraising campaign to accelerate deployment of its technology.
The company is developing a breath-based screening test and is working toward a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments laboratory-developed test. Subsequently, it plans a national lung cancer screening trial for its OneBreath platform. The company then intends to follow this with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval process.
Additionally, the U.S. lung cancer screening market estimated at more than USD$63 billion. Investors could see substantial returns if adoption expands alongside broader screening guidelines.
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