The ROS1ders Issue RFA for $75K ROS1+ Cancer Innovation Award

Patient-founded nonprofit seeks to stimulate innovative research to improve outcomes for patients with ROS1+ cancers.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - March 28, 2024 - PRLog -- The ROS1ders is pleased to issue their 2024 Request for Application (RFA) to study ROS1-positive (ROS1+) cancer. The RFA is open to investigators who hold a doctorate degree and a faculty appointment at an academic or non-profit research institution anywhere in the world.

"While oral targeted therapies are approved to treat ROS1+ cancer, the drugs don't work for everyone, and they eventually stop working. We are committed to investing in research to improve patient outcomes," says Janet Freeman-Daily, MS, Engr, co-founder and president of The ROS1ders.

The ROS1+ Cancer Innovation Award aims to fund high-risk, high-reward projects focused on ROS1+ cancers. The one-year $75,000 seed grant can be used for pre-clinical, translational, or clinical research.

"Seed grants allow for the generation of initial data to support larger research endeavors," said D. Ross Camidge, MD, PhD, Professor of Medicine/Oncology at the University of Colorado and a member of The ROS1ders Scientific Advisory Board. "While some seeds fail, others grow into mighty trees - they can be the seeds of real breakthroughs."

The award program uses a two-step application process. The deadline for a letter of intent is May 3, 2024. Those invited to submit a full application must provide it by August 4, 2024. For more information, visit https://theros1ders.org/seed-grant-program.

About the ROS1ders

Founded by patients in 2015 and incorporated in 2019, The ROS1ders is the largest global group of patients and family members living with ROS1+ cancer. It seeks to improve outcomes for all ROS1+ cancers through community, education, and research. Membership in their private Facebook group exceeds 1200 people from over 30 countries. The nonprofit is internationally recognized in the oncology and patient advocacy communities as experts in their disease. Its resources include a medically-vetted website and collaboration with international ROS1+ clinicians, researchers and industry. Please visit theros1ders.org to learn more.

About ROS1+ Cancer

• ROS1+ cancer is relatively rare, occurring in just 1-2% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The incidence is thought to be similar in other types of cancer.
• Biomarker testing for ROS1 fusions is recommended in guidelines for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but for few other cancers.
• Patients are typically younger than the average NSCLC patient, have adenocarcinoma, and have no smoking history (a smoking history should not exclude patients from biomarker testing or targeted therapies).
• Oral targeted therapies are the recommended first-line treatment for metastatic ROS1+NSCLC and have increased the survival of patients by years. However, these drugs eventually stop working due to acquired resistance. The mechanisms of resistance are not well understood.