ALK Positive Australia is proud to announce that Dr Dane Vassiliadis from the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 ALK Positive Australia Inspirational Research Grant, awarded in partnership with the Thoracic Oncology Group Australasia (TOGA).
About the project
Dr Vassiliadis’ project, Identifying dependencies of drug-tolerant cells in ALK+ lung cancer, aims to uncover why some cancer cells survive even after powerful ALK‑targeted therapies. These long‑lived “drug‑tolerant persister cells” can survive treatment and later cause the cancer to return. Using advanced laboratory techniques that track cancer cell behaviour during treatment and patient‑derived samples, the study will search for weak points in these persister cells that could be targeted with new or existing drugs.
Why this project was selected
This proposal stood out because it directly addresses one of the biggest challenges faced by people with ALK+ lung cancer: treatment resistance. It represents the kind of translational research the ALK+ Inspirational Grant was designed to support—work that bridges scientific discovery and real‑world patient benefit. The project:
- Tackles drug‑tolerant persister cells, a major barrier to lasting treatment.
- Uses realistic laboratory models that closely reflect how ALK+ lung cancer behaves and responds to current treatments such as lorlatinib.
- Aims to identify new therapeutic targets and guide combination treatments to prevent relapse.
Relevance to ALK+ NSCLC
People with ALK+ non‑small cell lung cancer eventually face the problem of drug resistance. Understanding and overcoming these persister cells is key to achieving longer‑lasting control and, ultimately, better survival outcomes.
Why this matters to ALK+ Australians
For the ALK+ community in Australia, this project speaks to the heart of what matters most—finding ways to stop resistance before it starts. By supporting early‑career researchers focused on the science of resistance, the grant helps build foundations for future treatments that keep ALK+ patients well for longer.
Thank you to our supporters
This work is made possible by the generosity of donors and partners. Their support helps turn promising ideas into tangible progress for Australians diagnosed with ALK+ lung cancer.
Every dollar donated to ALK Positive Australia goes towards research. More research = more life.
This was our second joint grant with TOGA. Go to our You Tube channel to see an interview with last years recipient of the same grant.