Dr. Sagun Parakh Awarded Prestigious TOGA Grant

---

We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Sagun Parakh has been awarded the 2025 TOGA Inspirational Research Grant for his groundbreaking work aimed at improving outcomes for lung cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy. This prestigious grant acknowledges his innovative approach to tackling one of the most pressing challenges in cancer treatment today. 

---

Improving Immunotherapy with Microbiome Insights 

Dr. Parakh’s research focuses on the lung microbiome's role in the effectiveness and toxicity of immunotherapy, specifically checkpoint inhibitors. These treatments have revolutionised cancer care, offering new hope to patients, but they come with risks such as checkpoint inhibitor pneumonitis (CIP), a potentially life-threatening side effect affecting up to 10% of lung cancer patients. 

With support from the TRACKER Biobank, Dr. Parakh’s team will analyse bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) collected from lung cancer patients. This valuable resource is key to uncovering how the lung microbiome influences both the success of immunotherapy and the risk of adverse effects. 

Transforming Lung Cancer Care

Dr. Parakh’s research aims to achieve three critical goals: 

• Understand the Lung Microbiome’s Impact: Explore how the microbiome affects CIP risk and immunotherapy efficacy. 

• Identify Predictive Biomarkers: Develop tools to predict which patients are at higher risk of CIP. 

• Enhance Precision Medicine: Equip clinicians with strategies to deliver safer, more effective immunotherapy tailored to individual patients. 

This work has the potential to transform lung cancer care by improving the safety and precision of immunotherapy, enhancing patient outcomes, and aligning with TRACKER’s mission to advance equitable, patient-centred research. 

A Shared Vision for Patient-Centred Research

TRACKER is proud to support this vital research and remains committed to facilitating breakthroughs that address the challenges facing lung cancer patients worldwide.

"Receiving this grant is a testament to the importance of collaborative, innovative research. Together with TRACKER, we aim to make immunotherapy safer and more accessible for lung cancer patients, improving not just their outcomes but also their quality of life.” 

 _____________

Dr. Sagun Parakh, Medical Oncologist and Clinical Research Fellow

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Sagun Parakh on this well-deserved recognition! His pioneering work represents a brighter future for lung cancer care, and we look forward to the impact his research will have on patients, clinicians, and the broader scientific community.