The AACR-ALK Positive Lung Cancer Research Fellowship represents a joint effort designed to encourage and support a postdoctoral or clinical research fellow in conducting ALK-positive lung cancer research and help the grantee establish a successful career path in this field.

2025 GRantee

Scientific Statement of Research

Although anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have significantly improved prognosis for advanced ALK+ lung cancer, acquired resistance inevitably occurs. Dr. Tzeng hypothesizes that epigenetic changes mediate acquired resistance to the third-generation TKI lorlatinib, and that epigenetic modulators may re-sensitize tumors to ALK inhibition. Liquid epigenomic profiling will be used to identify markers that are differentially expressed pre- and post-progression on lorlatinib. For the subset of patients on first-line lorlatinib, co-occurrence of genetic and epigenetic alterations associated with resistance will be evaluated. Using ALK+ lung cancer patient-derived xenograft models, she will assess the causal role of epigenetic changes in lorlatinib resistance and test rational drug combinations pairing lorlatinib with epigenetic modulators.

Biography

Dr. Tzeng earned her doctorate in biological engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and later obtained her medical degree from the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine. She completed her internal medicine residency at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and is currently a medical oncology fellow at Dana-Farber/Mass General Brigham. She is passionate about developing innovative yet practical improvements to patient care, with a focus on translating molecular findings to real-world clinical outcomes in thoracic oncology.

Acknowledgement of Support

“The AACR-ALK Positive Lung Cancer Research Fellowship provides me with the support to focus on an important therapeutic question, gaining critical exposure to oncogene-driven lung cancers, targeted therapies, and epigenomics. Completing this project will help establish a robust foundation for launching a productive career in cancer research.”