Chen-Huang Center for EGFR-Mutant Lung Cancers

Mission and Goals

Lung cancer remains the most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States for both men and women. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations are found in 15 percent of lung cancer patients in the United States and European Union, and in 50 percent of lung cancer patients in Asia.

Leading the Way

In 2004, Dana-Farber investigators discovered that a subset of lung cancers exhibited mutations in the EGFR gene. These mutations were predictive of the clinical efficacy of EGFR kinase inhibitors. This discovery was one of the first examples of precision medicine for lung cancer and helped catalyze the entire field of precision medicine for patients with lung cancer.

Dana-Farber became one of the first American centers to begin routine clinical testing for EGFR mutations — which is now the standard of care worldwide. EGFR inhibitors are now used as the initial systemic therapy (instead of chemotherapy) for newly diagnosed patients with advanced EGFR-mutant lung cancers.

Living with EGFR-Mutant Lung Cancer? You're not alone!

Check back for the dates to our next 4-session virtual course, in which you'll learn to:

• Restore balance, connection, and calm
• Develop clear, concise questions for your oncology team
• Generate and communicate personalized solutions
• Learn quick, easy, portable relaxation techniques
• Enhance your social support
• Reduce physical and emotional symptoms
• Help manage stress
• Develop coping skills

Our Mission

As part of Dana-Farber's Thoracic (Lung) Cancer Treatment Center, the Chen-Huang Center for EGFR-Mutant Lung Cancers will push the boundaries of knowledge in treating lung cancer, to develop new and better therapies. The mission of the Center is to improve the lives of patients with EGFR-mutant lung cancer through innovative research and cutting edge clinical care. This will be accomplished through the seamless integration of preclinical, translational, and clinical research, including:

• New and novel clinical trials for patients with EGFR-mutant lung cancers
• Translational studies of EGFR-mutant lung cancers to ultimately help refine therapeutic approaches for patients
• Discovery studies that focus on the generation of research models
• Education, training, and knowledge exchange opportunities for clinicians, researchers, and trainees from the U.S. and around the world, focusing on EGFR-mutant lung cancers

About Winston Chen and Phyllis Huang

The Chen-Huang Center was established with a $5 million gift from Winston Chen, PhD, and his wife, Phyllis Huang, to stimulate research, promote clinical trials, and strengthen Dana-Farber's capabilities for studying and treating EGFR-mutant lung cancer.

For many years, the couple's family foundation, the Paramitas Foundation, focused on supporting higher education. Their recent funding has shifted to health care projects, specifically lung cancer care and research led by Pasi Jänne, MD, PhD, director of the Carole M. and Philip L. Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology, and director of the Robert and Renée Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science at Dana-Farber.

"Phyllis and I hope our gift will bring much needed attention to lung cancer and will illustrate how vital financial support is for making discoveries," said Chen. "We support Dr. Jänne and Dana-Farber because of their impressive centers, research facilities, and the discoveries they are making every day."

Learn how you can help support the work of this Center.

More Information on the Chen-Huang Center for EGFR-Mutant Lung Cancers

Press release announcing the Chen-Huang Center

Boston Herald's feature story about the Chen-Huang Center

Hear from a patient treated for EGFR-mutant lung cancer