Research News

This study found that a protein called NRF2 helps protect lung cells from damage caused by wildfire smoke, by controlling antioxidant defenses. This is important because it will lead to the development of strategies to protect lung health against wildfire smoke. First author Sarah Lacher, PhD was funded by a Lung Association Catalyst award to better understand the molecular drivers of wildfire smoke-induced lung disease.

This study found that smoking increases the risk of heart disease much more than the effect of low income or psychological distress alone. This is important because reducing smoking in these groups would lower rates of heart disease and improve overall health in high-risk communities. Senior author Krishna Reddy, MD, was funded by a Lung Association Innovation Award to better understand the impacts of e-cigarette policies.

This study found that a protein called Blimp-1 is needed early on for the development of lung-specific allergy-fighting cells in mice. This is important because it helps explain how certain immune cells form and move to the lungs, which could improve our understanding of allergic asthma. Senior author Amanda Poholek, PhD, was funded by a Lung Association Innovation Award to discover new targets to treat allergic asthma.

This study found that primates infected with SARS-CoV-2 had long-term high blood sugar and changes in glucose metabolism after infection, but administering a vaccine 4 days post infection reduced the effect. This is important because COVID-19 may lead to long-term issues with metabolism, which affects overall health and recovery from respiratory infections and offers potential treatments. Co-author Mohamed Abdel-Mohsen, MD received the Lung Association COVID-19 Respiratory Virus Research Award.

This essay discusses emerging approaches to cancer cell plasticity, to better understand what factors lead to reprogramming and transformation of these cells. This is important as it summarizes the evidence suggesting that this phenomenon drives the adaptation of tumor cells to anticancer treatments, leading to treatment resistance, cancer progression, and death. Author Alvaro Quintanal-Villalonga, PhD, received a Lung Cancer Discovery Award.

This scientific review highlights recent findings and publications using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS), a method which detects protein interaction within live cells. This is important because FCS can be used to better understand cellular processes in lung cancer, leading to improved treatment and outcomes. Author Adam Smith, PhD received an American Lung Association Lung Cancer Discovery Award for his work in EGFR mutant lung cancer.

This viewpoint shows evidence that telehealth pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) significantly improved exercise capacity and quality of life for people with COPD, with an effect similar to center-based programs. This is important because telehealth PR can increase access to effective treatment for patients who face barriers like transportation or facility distance. First Author Christopher Mosher, MD, MHS is an Early Career Investigator within the Lung Association ACRC.

This study found that a drug called simurosertib can help prevent a type of cancer treatment resistance in lung and prostate cancers by targeting a protein called CDC7. This is important because it offers a new way to treat cancers which may transform into more aggressive cancer. First author Alvaro Quintanal-Villalonga, PhD, received a Lung Cancer Discovery Award for his work in identifying therapeutic targets for neuroendocrine transformation.

This study found that changes in DNA replication timing during cell division are associated with increased rates of mutation and specific patterns of mutation in lung and breast cancers. This is important because understanding these alterations could help in identifying early cancer changes thus improving detection and treatment. This was published by the Lung Cancer Interception Team, an Accelerator Program collaboration with LUNGEVITY and Stand up 2 Cancer.

This paper summarizes an expert panel discussion about pertussis (whooping cough), finding that it is becoming more common in older children and adults because immunity from vaccines or past infections wears off over time. This is important because many cases of pertussis are not recognized or reported, leading to less protection and more illness among adults. Co-author Albert Rizzo, MD is the Chief Medical Officer for the Lung Association.