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Clinical Research
Cancer has become an easier disease to manage, but cures remain largely elusive. The physicians of Memorial Cancer Institute (MCI) have established an active Clinical Research Department to increase participation in clinical trials. Clinical trials are the method driving change in the detection and management of cancer through opportunities to evaluate new, different, more effective and better-tolerated treatments.
The Clinical Research Department coordinates self-initiated, national, cooperative group and pharmaceutical industry-sponsored trials evaluating cancer treatment and prevention modalities, procedures and products. By collaborating with the Mayo Clinic's North Central Cancer Treatment Group, the Clinical Research Department has secured access to cooperative group trials.
Under the medical direction of Atif Hussein, MD, the Clinical Research Program focuses on the four greatest cancer challenges in the South Broward community: breast, lung, Colorectal Gastrointestinal and Leukemia/Lymphoma. The majority of the 26 research protocols currently available to patients or under consideration by Memorial’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) fall into these areas. The protocols are selected by designated physicians in the disease-specific areas: Sandra Franco, MD, and Alejandra Perez, MD, in Breast Cancer; Daren Grosman, MD, and Lyle Feinstein MD, in hematologic malignancies; Raja Mudad, MD, in lung cancer; and Pablo Ferraro, MD, in gastrointestinal cancers. Individual physicians in other areas select and participate in specific clinical trials.
Niche research facilitates the development of more effective targeted therapy. The scope of protocols offered at MCI encompasses cancer at every level, and many protocols target multiple pathways. Observational studies are included to advance general knowledge. All protocols are approved by the IRB, which monitors compliance to ensure the highest ethical and scientific standards continue to be upheld.
New Paradigms for Cancer Treatment
Historically, treatments aimed at killing cancer cells were applied broadly to cancer patients, killing many healthy cells in the process. A recently acquired understanding of cancer cell types and the pathways by which they develop and metastasize has helped physicians realize the number of variations within each type of cancer and the need for individualized treatment with therapies targeting the specific mechanism driving that cancer. New targeted therapies manipulate the cancer cells into acting correctly rather than killing them.
The goal is to give patients access to innovative treatment options without the travel, expense and stress required for out-of-state care. Each MCI patient in these four disease areas is offered the gold standard of care as determined by evidence-based medicine or participation in a clinical trial. Every oncologist in Memorial Healthcare System can enroll patients. They are coordinated by the Clinical Research Department to ensure quality and adherence to protocol.
While clinical trials for metastatic cancer continue to play an important role in providing hope and a cure, a growing number of clinical trials are aimed at newly diagnosed patients. This approach is helping new drugs get to market more quickly.
Expanding Horizons
In addition to testing new medications and treatments, MCI is looking for protocols aimed at improving quality of life for patients with cancer. Some of these trials may be designed to improve symptom management. Others may explore new coping strategies.
Active Protocols as of November 1, 2006
- Breast Cancer
Fifteen clinical trials for newly diagnosed patients and those with metastatic and advanced metastatic disease, including bone metastases. - Gastrointestinal Malignancies
One clinical trial for first-line metastatic colon cancer. One trial of adjuvant chemotherapy for resected gastric cancer. - Genitourinary Malignancies
One trial for stage IV clear-cell metastases or locally recurrent unresectable renal cell carcinoma, treatment-naïve or previously treated with imoxine. - Hematologic Malignancies
One trial for untreated acute myelogenous leukemia. Four trials for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in all stages from newly diagnosed to stage III/IV to relapsed disease. - Sickle Cell
One trial for patients with >2 acute painful crises. One trial of neuroimaging abnormalities in adult patients. - Lung Cancer
Three trials: One for patients with Stage IIA/IIIB cancer; one for first-line metastatic disease; one for second-line metastatic disease.