A Legacy of Changing Lives: Marking World Lung Cancer Day at the GCI

August 1st is World Lung Cancer Day, a day when advocates raise awareness about the leading cause of cancer deaths world-wide and the need to invest in lung cancer research. At the Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute (GCI), important strides in lung cancer research have been achieved through the combined dedication of our researchers and the support of our community. Notably, the establishment of the Rosalind Goodman Chair in Lung Cancer Research to honour the legacy of Rosalind Goodman has empowered scientists at the GCI to make research breakthroughs and produced tangible benefits for lung cancer patients.

Rosalind Goodman was a devoted supporter of cancer research and the GCI, who died of lung cancer as a non-smoker in 2014. Despite its danger, lung cancer is understudied and underfunded due to stigmas around smoking and the deadliness of the disease - Rosalind’s wish to address these challenges led to the appointment of Logan Walsh as the Rosalind Goodman Chair in Lung Cancer Research and establishment of a Lung Cancer Network in 2018.

Since his appointment, GCI professor Logan Walsh has led important discoveries for lung cancer patients. In 2023, a study published by his team in the journal Nature used artificial intelligence (AI) to predict the necessity of additional chemotherapy after surgery to remove lung cancer. Their findings have the potential to prevent cancer recurrence for patients requiring more treatment, while sparing other patients the toxicity of unnecessary further treatment. The promise of this breakthrough earned the study a nomination for Québec Discovery of the Year.

The Lung Cancer Network was established to unite hospitals and institutions across Montreal with the common goal of determining personalized treatment strategies for lung cancer patients. This investment in discovery makes Montreal an attractive location for clinical trials and provides a foundation for broader networked projects, bringing access to the best possible care to Quebec patients. Dr. Johnathan Spicer, RI-MUHC researcher and champion of the Lung Cancer Network, has built upon these existing relationships to establish a  pan-Canadian project to improve immunotherapy for lung cancer patients. The project received major funding through a $3,113,918 investment from the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network and partners.

Recent advances in lung cancer research from scientists at the GCI and in the Lung Cancer Network were the subject of the 2024 documentary ‘La vie continue’ from Savoir média. GCI trainee Mark Sorin was featured explaining his contributions to fundamental lung cancer research conducted at the Walsh lab. Watch Mark and collaborator Dr. John Spicer in the documentary here.

As the GCI commemorates World Lung Cancer Day, the commitment of our researchers and partners to advancing in the fight against this devastating disease is clear. Rosalind Goodman’s legacy of establishing the Chair in Lung Cancer Research and the collaborative efforts of the Lung Cancer Network has led to groundbreaking discoveries and the hope for better, personalized treatments for lung cancer patients. The dedication of researchers, clinicians, donors, advocates and community members will continue to drive life-saving advancements and our quest for the knowledge to cure.