We follow developments around ALK-positive lung cancer closely and share what is relevant for Belgian patients and their families.
Marie-Ange has a rare form of lung cancer, sometimes called light-smoker or non-smoker lung cancer, caused by a genetic alteration. She is seeing promising results from targeted therapy.
On 1 September 2026, Lung Cancer Europe launches its 12th annual survey for people affected by lung cancer. The survey helps build a clearer picture of the experiences, needs and challenges of people living with lung cancer across Europe.
New international research shows that age may be linked to the genetic characteristics of lung cancer. The findings are particularly interesting for people with ALK-positive lung cancer.
Rarer than other forms, ALK+ lung cancer often affects young patients who have never smoked. It is hard to detect, but targeted therapies have transformed the outlook for patients.
In lung cancer, the stage is usually determined using the TNM system. But the stage does not tell the whole story: two people can share the same TNM stage and still have biologically very different tumours.
An article in La Dernière Heure highlights an important but still little-known reality: lung cancer also occurs in people who have never smoked. Veronique, a member of ALK Positive Belgium, was 53 and had never smoked when she was diagnosed.
After a lung cancer diagnosis, a great deal of information comes at you at once. Good preparation can help you feel calmer and clearer during the conversation with your doctor.
Treatments for ALK-positive lung cancer keep improving, but one challenge remains substantial: resistance. ALK-Vac is an experimental vaccine intended to help the immune system recognise certain ALK-related resistance mutations.
New long-term data from the CROWN study offer hope to people with ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer. After seven years of follow-up, lorlatinib appears to provide durable disease control in a proportion of patients.
A few weeks ago, Paula and Kristina attended the LuCE congress in Vienna: an international gathering around lung cancer, patient advocacy, knowledge sharing and collaboration.
Treatment of ALK-positive lung cancer has advanced considerably thanks to tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Yet the need for new therapies remains, especially when patients develop resistance. TRI-611 is a promising new medicine.
For people with ALK-positive lung cancer, a clear overview of their care is not a luxury but a necessity. The Mijngezondheid app brings your medication schedule, prescriptions and medical reports together in one place.
New research has begun into TRI-611, an experimental medicine for people with ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer. Rather than only blocking the abnormal ALK protein, it aims to have the cell break the protein down.
In Belgium, patients with rare or complex cancers are still too often treated in hospitals without sufficient specialised experience. Recent evidence is clear: the greater the expertise, the better the chances of survival.
A recent publication in Frontiers in Medicine sets out updated results from the ALKOVE-1 clinical study, a phase 1/2 trial of neladalkib, a fourth-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in patients with advanced ALK-fusion solid tumours.
Dr Alexander Drilon of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center recently shared key information about the evolution of ALK-positive lung cancer treatment, including data on the fourth-generation TKI neladalkib (NVL-655).
Do you live with ALK-positive lung cancer and want to share your experience to help shape how care and support could be better? There is an opportunity to take part in a small patient advisory board in Vienna.
Research Plus (Tongeren-Borgloon) is working on the Belgian arm of an international study on non-small cell lung cancer. They are looking for patients and caregivers willing to share their experience in a telephone or online interview.
South Florida is becoming a crucial region for progress in lung cancer care, according to Bruna Pellini, MD. She discusses demographic disparities, screening gaps, and recent advances in HER2-, ROS1- and ALK-positive disease.
Living with lung cancer or pleural cancer (mesothelioma) raises many questions, for patients and for those close to them. Clear, reliable information makes a real difference, as does finding recognition among people going through the same thing.
You often see the phrase "the study was successful". But if you or someone close to you is living with lung cancer, what you really want to know is: what does that mean for us in practice?
Sooner or later, someone will say the words "clinical trial". A clinical trial is usually not a leap in the dark, but a step-by-step way of testing new treatments safely and fairly.
For people with ROS1-positive lung cancer or other solid tumours, treatment options often remain limited. An international team is running a phase 2 study of zidesamtinib (NVL-520), developed specifically for tumours with a ROS1 rearrangement.
In this CBS Colorado video, lung cancer specialist Dr Ross Camidge speaks openly about his own diagnosis. A powerful testimony about hope, science and humanity.
Clinical trials can give you access to targeted therapies years earlier. But in Europe that is becoming harder: there are tens of thousands fewer trial places today than a decade ago.
At ALK Positive Belgium we know what it is to live with something nobody sees, but that you feel every day. Our members live with ALK-positive lung cancer, a rare, chronic condition that often stays invisible to the outside world.
On 4 December 2025, lung cancer patients have the opportunity, through ALK Positive Belgium and All.Can Belgium, to give a short testimony in the Federal Parliament about how innovation in cancer care has affected their lives.
Living with lung cancer brings a great deal of uncertainty. A free webinar organised by Roche and Lung Cancer Europe explores the link between mental and physical health in lung cancer.
What an inspiring afternoon! On Thursday 26 June 2025 we welcomed our members, patients and supporters to our ALK+ information meet-up at the Wijkhuis Papenhof in Mechelen.
Information session on Thursday 26 June 2025, 14:30 to 19:00, at the Wijkhuis Papenhof in Mechelen. An informative and inspiring afternoon with two leading speakers: Prof. Dr Patrick Pauwels and Prof. Dr Paul Germonpré.
Dear members and sympathizers, Prolong is a peer organization of and for people with lung cancer or lung cancer, which strives for an environment in which people have the opportunity to live a life full of meaning and quality after their diagnosis. With a focus on psychosocial support, empowerment and awareness, Prolong wants
#ClearTheAirOnLungCancer November is #LungCancerAwarenessMonth 🫁. Every day, an average of 16 Belgians die from lung cancer. It is the second most common form of cancer in our country, and unfortunately also the most deadly. Yet, there are still a lot of myths about this disease. 🎗️ Throughout November, the ‘Clear the Air on Lung Cancer’
Florence, co-founder of ALK Positive Belgium vzw, will be sorely missed in the operation of our organization. With the commitment and vision she had, we will continue in the interest of our fellow sufferers. Here is the farewell word from co-founder Paula Koper Lieve Florence The Last Trip You Have to in your life. Away
Lung Cancer Europe is hiring ! Join LuCE and Make a Meaningful Impact
Saturday, April 20, 2024 – Alabonheur Bistro, Leuven Come together in a reserved space at the Alabonheur Bistro in Leuven, near the Ladeuze square. Get to know each other and share our stories.Review of past activities of the ALK Positive Belgium association.Pooling our questions and planning how to proceed together.When we gather at 1:00 PM
Saturday 20 April 2024 – Eetcafé Alabonheur in Leuven. A relaxed get-together in a room reserved for us, close to Ladeuze square: getting to know one another, sharing our stories and agreeing how to take things forward.
Join our closed Facebook group to find support.
A French-language newspaper article on lung cancer in people who have never smoked.
De maand november staat in het teken van longkanker. Belgische patiëntenvertegenwoordigers, gezondheidswerkers, academische centra, tal van organisaties en partners uit de farmaceutische sector bundelen nu de krachten.
Our private Facebook group is open to patients at any stage, to family members and caregivers, and to health professionals who support the ALK+ community. Low-threshold, at your own pace, among people who understand what you are going through.
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