New York Oncology Hematology (NYOH) recently joined the MYLUNG consortium, a large-scale community-based research study to advance precision medicine options for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. NSCLC is the most common type of lung cancer according to the American Cancer Society, accounting for about 84% of lung cancer cases.
The MYLUNG consortium – or “Molecularly Informed Lung Cancer Treatment in a Community Cancer Network: A Pragmatic Consortium” – will observe up to 12,000 community-based, metastatic NSCLC patients over five years in one of the first broad, collaborative research endeavors in lung cancer. MYLUNG aims to deepen the understanding of molecular testing barriers to improve care for lung cancer patients, including those with mutations who may benefit from receiving precision medicine, the practice of leveraging targeted therapies across the continuum of care, as well as expand the opportunity for patients to participate in clinical trials.
MYLUNG is poised to support meaningful progress and innovation in care delivery and potentially touch and improve thousands of lives.
“We fully recognize that there are many factors including geographical, socio-economical, educational, cultural, and logistical barriers that prevent lung cancer patients in our local community from getting the targeted treatment they need. Joining the MYLUNG consortium will allow NYOH to help pinpoint and work to alleviate these barriers and develop a course of action that allows NSCLC lung cancer patients to receive more precise therapies on the molecular level to improve their outcomes,” said Dr. Makenzi Evangelist, an NYOH medical oncologist who specializes in treating lung cancer. Dr. Evangelist spoke with WNYT to discuss the study.
Watch the segment here:
NYOH will pilot this program at its Clifton Park, Albany Patroon Creek, and Albany Medical Cancer Centers.