Washington, D.C., U.S., October 27, 2026
LUNGevity Foundation has launched a new multi-year research and implementation program within its Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) Initiative, aiming to identify barriers to care and improve outcomes for patients living with this aggressive form of lung cancer. The initiative brings together five coordinated projects focused on patient experiences, treatment preferences, community oncology access, survivorship support, and collaboration among healthcare stakeholders. The announcement comes as new clinical research is generating potential treatment options for small cell lung cancer, including antibody-drug conjugates and immune-based therapies. However, emerging treatments can involve complex administration requirements, specialized monitoring, and coordinated care between community oncology practices and hospitals. LUNGevity’s new program aims to help ensure that scientific advances translate into accessible, patient-centered cancer care. Initial support for the initiative has been provided by Amgen, which is partnering with the foundation to strengthen support for the SCLC community. The program will generate evidence about patients’ needs and the practical challenges faced by healthcare providers, helping inform future research priorities, education, and care-delivery strategies.
Five Research Projects Address Patient and Healthcare Needs
The new program includes five coordinated projects designed to examine barriers affecting patients, caregivers, clinicians, and healthcare systems. The first project, Living with Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer, will document how patients manage their disease, treatment schedules, and everyday challenges. The second, AMPLIFY: A Patient Preference Study, will examine which treatment benefits, risks, and practical considerations matter most to patients and caregivers, comparing their preferences with those of clinicians. This research is intended to help ensure that treatment development, shared decision-making, and patient education reflect the priorities of people living with SCLC. The third project, Project Lighthouse, will work with community oncology practices to establish reliable pathways for eligible patients to access emerging therapies, either locally or through coordinated referrals to specialized centers. The fourth project, Patient Activation and Survivorship Programming, will translate research findings into educational resources, a continuously updated clinical trials database, and peer-support opportunities. The fifth project will establish an SCLC stakeholder coalition to develop best practices that can adapt as new treatments and regulatory approvals change the care landscape. Together, these projects address both the medical and practical challenges of living with an aggressive cancer.
Emerging Treatments Increase Need for Coordinated Care
Small cell lung cancer is an aggressive malignancy that accounts for a significant burden of lung cancer-related illness and mortality. LUNGevity estimates that approximately 30,000 to 35,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with SCLC each year. Historically, treatment options for advanced disease have been limited, particularly when cancer progresses after initial therapy. However, recent research has generated interest in several approaches, including antibody-drug conjugates, DLL3-targeted CAR T-cell therapies, and bispecific T-cell engagers. Clinical findings presented at major oncology meetings in 2026 have highlighted potential advances in the treatment of relapsed and extensive-stage disease. These developments create opportunities for patients but also introduce new demands on healthcare delivery. Certain immune-based therapies require careful monitoring and management of potentially serious adverse events, while targeted treatments may require specialized expertise and coordination between care teams. Access to innovative therapies depends not only on scientific progress but also on the healthcare system’s ability to deliver them safely and equitably. Through its new program, LUNGevity aims to identify gaps in care pathways and help community practices prepare for the evolving treatment landscape.
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Patient Advocacy and Survivorship Remain Central Priorities
LUNGevity Foundation works across lung cancer research, advocacy, education, and patient support. The organization emphasizes that improvements in survival and quality of life require more than the development of new medicines; patients must also receive understandable information, appropriate referrals, clinical trial opportunities, and ongoing support. The new SCLC program is intended to connect research evidence with the experiences of patients and caregivers, helping identify where treatment decisions and healthcare services can be improved. Its patient-preference research may provide insight into how people balance potential treatment benefits against adverse effects, practical burdens, and quality-of-life considerations. Meanwhile, survivorship resources and peer-support initiatives are expected to address needs that continue throughout and beyond treatment. The program’s long-term objective is to reduce the barriers between cancer research and the people who could benefit from it. As new therapies emerge, findings from these projects may help inform clinical practice, patient education, and collaboration across the SCLC care community. The initiative represents a coordinated effort to make advances in small cell lung cancer research more meaningful and accessible to patients across the United States.
Source: LUNGevity Foundation press release
