Research Award Recipients

Investigator

Diego Avella-Patino, MD

Project Title

Improving Immunotherapy for Lung Cancer

Research Summary

Dr. Avella-Patino and his team will work on the identification of cells that mediate the anti-tumor effects of immune checkpoint blockade and the immune components of the metastatic process in lung cancer. Data from this research will contribute to the development of more effective cellular transfer therapies in the future, using specific subsets of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (immune cells) in combination with immune checkpoint blockade therapy.

Investigator

Julian Solway, MD

Project Title

Preclinical Development of Aerosol Remodilins as a New Treatment for IPF

Research Summary

Dr. Solway will test whether remodilins delivered directly to the lung via the airways improve experimental pulmonary fibrosis in mice without causing lung toxicity themselves. Positive results would establish lung-targeted remodilins as a completely new class of candidate medicine to prevent lung scarring in pulmonary fibrosis.

Investigator

Kayla Goliwas, PhD

Project Title

Targeting the Metabolic and Immune Suppressive Landscape in Lung Cancer

Research Summary

Dr. Goliwas and her team will utilize novel three dimensional human lung tumor tissue models which maintain the human tumor microenvironment and 3D tissue architecture. These models allow for tumor-immune interactions, immune cell recruitment, response to therapies, and biomarkers of response to be evaluated. This study will establish the efficacy of this novel combination therapy within the lung carcinoma.

Investigator

Maria Lucia L. Madariaga, MD

Project Title

Comprehensive Metabolic Profiling of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer In Vivo and Ex Vivo

Research Summary

Dr. Madariaga’s research aims to improve understanding of non-small cell lung cancer with the goal of expanding diagnostic modalities and increasing therapeutic targets. She and her team will employ novel techniques to accurately and comprehensively determine the metabolic pathways altered in lung cancer.

Investigator

Paul Reyfman, MD, MS

Project Title

Single-Cell Transcriptomic Analysis of Nasal Epithelium in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Research Summary

Dr. Reyfman’s study will investigate novel techniques for measuring the expression of genes within all individual cells in a sample of tissue in an effort to discover new insights into IPF. The goal of Dr. Reyfman’s study is to identify ways to improve IPF patient outcomes. His research may form a foundation for the development of marker tests for diagnosis, prognosis, and predication of response to therapy in IPF.

Investigator

Marquita Lewis-Thames, PhD, MPH, MS

Project Title

Community-Engaged and Patient-centered Approach to Understanding the Implementation of Posttreatment Survivorship Care Planning for Rural Lung Cancer Survivors

Research Summary

In her study, Dr. Lewis-Thames will focus on rural lung cancer survivorship. Through use of interviews and focus groups of both survivors and caregivers, she will assess care planning and follow up care needed to improve adherence. By using patient-centered and community-engaged methods, Dr. Lewis-Thames’ research aims to understand care planning for rural lung cancer survivors.

Investigator

Laura Frye, M.D. – University of Chicago Medicine

Project Title

Regional Pathologic and Metagenomic Heterogeneity in IPF(ACL) cells

Research Summary

Dr. Frye is creating a database through analysis of the existing lung tissue bank from explanted IPF lungs. The study will look at the relationship between the host immune system and the pulmonary microbiome in an effort to correlate microbial presence and diversity to fibrosis in IPF.

Investigator

Maurizio Bocchetta, Ph.D. – Loyola University Medical Center

Project Title

Role of the deubiquitinase OTUD6B isoforms in cell cycle progression and survival of Adenocarcinoma of the lung (ACL) cells

Research Summary

Dr. Bocchetta is researching the potential for the OTUD6B enzyme to stabilize lung cells and prevent cancer growth by inhibiting degradation of an important protein. The study will provide insights into whether this protein can be a novel therapeutic target in lung cancer.

Investigator

Guofei Zhou, Ph.D., University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine

Project Title

Targeting PDLIM5 for Lung Cancer

Research Summary

Dr. Zhou is researching a novel target (PDLIM5) for lung cancer drug discovery that may be capable of inhibiting lung cancer development. The results from Dr. Zhou’s study will provide insights into novel therapeutic strategies including new drugs to treat lung cancer. The committee was impressed by the translational characteristics of his work which closely align with the mission of RHA.

Investigator

A. Christine Argento, M.D., Northwestern University

Project Title

Comparison of Transbronchial, Cryoprobe and Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery Biopsy for the Diagnosis of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Background

Respiratory Health Association encouraged applications from junior investigators interested in conducting translational research. RHA appreciated the value this project may have in seeking a way to minimize use of other more invasive diagnostic procedures for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). We hope this award leads to improvements in the treatment options for IPF.

Research Summary

Dr. Argento is investigating different biopsy procedures in the diagnosis of IPF. Typically, IPF diagnosis requires patients to undergo a surgical lung biopsy which carries a 2-6% post-surgical mortality risk within 90 days of the procedure. However, other safe procedures including cryobiopsies and transbronchial biopsies exist and may prove invaluable in the diagnosis of IPF. Dr. Argento’s research will be the first to directly compare cryobiopsy to transbronchial bronchoscopic biopsy and surgical biopsy.

Investigator

Kevin Haas, M.D., University of Illinois at Chicago

Project Title

Pulmonary Nodule Diagnostic and Therapeutic Timeliness Study (PuNDiTT)

Background

RHA research application review committee was impressed by the translational characteristics of this work which closely align with the mission of RHA. In particular, RHA appreciated the interest in working to determine the health literacy of an underserved predominately minority population with high risk pulmonary nodules. We hope this award assists in the development of research that will make a positive impact on future work leading to improvements in lung cancer screening.

Research Summary

Dr. Haas is investigating health equity in the management of high risk pulmonary nodules. The process to determine if a lung nodule is cancerous is complex, requiring multiple tests that can overwhelm individuals with low health literacy. PuNDiTT will help determine how population demographics, health literacy rates, and delays in the management of high risk nodules affect clinical outcomes. Dr. Haas’s study will provide the groundwork to improve the timeliness and efficiency of lung cancer screening programs in providing individualized care to an understudied population.

Investigator

Anna Lam, M.D., Assistant Professor, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Northwestern University

Project Title

Wnt/beta-catenin Signaling Impacts Macrophage Differentiation in Persistence of Pulmonary Fibrosis

Background

Respiratory Health Association encouraged applications from investigators interested in conducting innovative research studies in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) to build upon an existing portfolio of research. The committee appreciated the novel connection of the function of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway to pulmonary fibrosis. We are hopeful her efforts will lead to enhancements in the lives of those living with IPF in the future and further advance the study of the genetic factors impacting IPF.

Research Summary

Dr. Lam is investigating important pathways in the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis. Core pathways, such as Wnt/beta-catenin, that are important during human prenatal development are altered in IPF. Abnormal function of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway is known to cause human diseases such as colon cancer and osteoporosis. Dr. Lam and her team are the first to link this pathway to lung fibrosis.

Investigator

Gye Young Park, M.D.,  Assistant Professor, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep, and Allergy, University of Illinois at Chicago

Project Title

Macrophage Regulation of Lung Cancer Progression

Background

RHA sought applications designed to investigate lung cancer and the development and testing of new methodologies including models to treat this disease. RHA’s research review committee felt that Dr. Park’s research closely aligns with our mission and looks forward to the advancements that this award will have on lung cancer treatment in the future.

Research Summary

Dr. Park is investigating a new therapeutic strategy for lung cancer by modifying the phenotype of tumor associated macrophages (TAMs). It is known that macrophages inside or within the surrounding area of a tumor play a role in tumor growth. However, this type of macrophage secretes biologically active substances to enhance tumor growth. The alteration of TAM characteristics could be implicated and improve treatment of lung cancer. Dr. Park will examine the involvement of the macrophage cellular and biochemical mechanisms as it relates to lung cancer in an effort to develop new approaches for treatment resulting in an increased survival rate.

For more information about RHA’s involvement in research, contact Rachael Morkunas, Senior Program Manager, via email at rmorkunas@resphealth.org or by phone at (312) 628-0233.