In the ever-evolving arena of ALK-positive cancer therapies, clinical trials offer patients not only cutting-edge interventions but also a chance to contribute to the advancement of ALK cancer treatment. In examining international ALK cancer trials, we uncover both challenges and opportunities for those seeking innovative treatments beyond conventional options.   The Need for In-Person Commitment Clinical trials testing new potential therapies usually require a commitment to frequent in-person visits for essential assessments, labs, and scans. For some, this journey entails travelin ..read more

This stuffed flounder is a mix of flaky white fish and a creamy delicious filling, easy to make for anytime but special enough to serve if you have company. INGREDIENTS: 6 flounder filets of even thickness, apx. 6 oz. each Old Bay Seasoning 1 tsp. olive oil FILLING: 3 oz. cream cheese 1/2 cup low fat mozzarella cheese 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese 4 oz. fresh chopped baby spinach DIRECTIONS: Place the cream cheese, feta, mozzarella, and spinach into a large mixing bowl. Mix it into a thick paste by hand. Set aside. Generously season the flounder filets with Old Bay Seasoning on both sides ..read more

 Editors Note: This interview is by Juhi Kunde, Director of Patient Gateways and Science Marketing at LUNGevity and was orginally posted on their web site on March 5, 2024. Dr. Angel Qin, MD, medical oncologist at the University of Michigan and one of the recipients of our ALK Positive Lung Cancer Research Awards.  ALK Positive, Inc. collaborated with LUNGevity to support this very important work with the ALK Positive, Inc / LUNGevity ALK-Positive Lung Cancer Research Awards.  Approximately 4% of patients diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) wi ..read more

Xavier Chen has a very interesting story and treatment history which we thought many ALKies worldwide would be interested in reading. We interviewed him about his background, his journey, and all the things that he has learned along the way that he would want other ALK patients to know.   1.    Tell us a little about your background - personal and professional - and your journey with ALK+ lung cancer so far. I am a 61-year-old French citizen of Chinese origin, now living in Paris. Before my diagnosis, I was living in Chiangmai, a northern city of Thailand, in semi-retiremen ..read more

EDITORS NOTE: ALK Positive, Inc. is starting a new section in our newsletter to feature international (non-US) ALK patient groups/organizations. If you would like your group/organization to be featured in a future newsletter, please contact Duncan Preece at duncan.preece@alkpositive.org For our first international section, we chose to introduce ALK Positive Denmark and interviewed the organization’s President, Irfan Gilani.     Can you share with our readers the founding story of ALK Positive Denmark? What inspired the establishment of the organization? ALK Positive Denmark, founded ..read more

EDITOR'S NOTE: Jeff Sturm is a Board member, and Medical Committee member at ALK Positive, Inc. and recently enrolled in the Nuvalent clinical trial. He has been kind enough to update our ALK Community on the process and the progress. #StrongerTogether   March 15, 2024 I started on the Phase II NVL-655 trial on March 1st, 2024, at UC Davis’s Sacramento campus, a seventy-five-mile ride from my house.  I had pre-registered with Dr. Jonathan Riess’s trial coordinator in December, sending records from my oncologist electronically, and answering a lot of questions.  They w ..read more

You might be surprised to know that at the end of my busy personal chef workday cooking for others, I rarely spent any time or energy making a delicious meal for myself. This is why I love slow cookers!!! This stew can also be made on the stovetop if you have time to spare, but for busy people like me a slow cooker can’t be beaten! With its quick prep and easily accessible ingredients, by the end of the day (or overnight) you have a delicious, rich, cozy beef stew packed with nourishing vegetables and tender beef. It also makes the house smell delicious. INGREDIENTS: 1/2 cup flour 1 medium di ..read more

Participating in a clinical trial can provide hope for those with ALK-positive lung cancer, offering a glimpse into the realm of cutting-edge treatments. Understanding eligibility criteria can be paramount for those seeking to participate in a clinical trial. Here we will highlight some of the opportunities and challenges of clinical trial eligibility. Access at Any Stage of Treatment Right from the outset, there is hope for those considering clinical trials. Some trials are designed for individuals just after diagnosis, even before the commencement of standard treatments. The possibilities to ..read more

Long-time ALK survivor, ALK Positive, Inc. Board member, and prominent Medical Committee member, Jeff Sturm, writes about his personal experience participating in the University of Michigan’s ALK project by having his tumor tissue removed and tested to inform future treatment decisions. My Biopsy and Organoid Drug Screening Experience with The UMichigan ALK NSCLC Initiative   I’m writing this on the return flight from the University of Michigan, where I underwent a thoracic biopsy for three lymph nodes that have been lighting up in my recent PET scans.  As I am the ALK Positive ..read more

We interviewed Dr. Sydney Barned - a medical doctor, ALK patient, and very active lung cancer advocate. We learned about her personal journey with ALK+ lung cancer, how lung cancer has also affected other members of her family, and, more importantly, her tireless involvement in lung cancer advocacy, some of which has already resulted in legislation being passed to help lung cancer patients. Can you share a bit about your personal journey and how it led you to become a patient advocate for lung cancer? My personal journey into patient advocacy for lung cancer began with a series of unexpected ..read more