Download National Clinical Cancer Research Trials

May 24, 2010
National Clinical Cancer Research Trials
Provided by Local Experts at St. Joseph Mercy
S. A. Helton
St. Joseph Mercy Hospital
Hope can be a powerful element in the treatment of cancer. Hope — coupled with
access to cutting-edge cancer treatment — can lead to the cancer cures of the
future.
Deborah Knowles of Fort Gratiot was diagnosed with renal cancer in January 2010.
Through medical experts including Marshall Kamer, MD, a local urologist, Debbie’s
cancer was successfully treated through surgery at St.
Joseph Mercy Hospital.
Previous options to prevent future renal cancer for
Debbie, however, were confined to observation.
Now, through studies available locally, renal cancer
patients can participate in preventive clinical
research trials; and that was the type of hope Debbie
was searching for.
Sophisticated Care
Cancer patients such as Debbie have access to these
sophisticated trials while advancing the cancer cures
of tomorrow at St. Joseph Mercy Port Huron and its
award-winning Mercy Regional Cancer Center.
Local Experts Unlock National Studies —
When Deborah Knowles of Fort Gratiot
(pictured center) joined a national clinical cancer research study to potentially
help prevent the recurrence of her renal
cell carcinoma, she turned to St. Joseph
Mercy Port Huron and its Mercy Regional
Cancer Center clinical research team
(left) Theresa Laeder, RN, BSN, and
Sally Jackson, RN, OCN, to manage the
study in conjunction with her Medical Oncologist Anup Lal, MD, of Blue Water Oncology, PC.
Since 2008, St. Joseph Mercy has been one of only 11 members in the state of Michigan to
be part of the Michigan Cancer Research Consortium (MCRC); a Community Clinical
Oncology Program (CCOP). This competitive peer-review, comprehensive clinical trials
grant program is limited only to medical centers such as St. Joseph Mercy that have met the
highest standards of excellence in conducting cancer research trials.
With the MCRC and its sponsor, the National Cancer Institute (NCI), nearly 100 cancer
treatment, prevention and quality of life clinical trials have been available to patients
right here in the Blue Water area.
To fully understand the intensity of the services offered, it’s important to note that the
MCRC’s main affiliation is with Mayo Clinic Cancer Center.
Led by Local Experts
MCRC-CCOP activities are under the direction of Timothy Cox, MD, Blue Water
Oncology, PC, who serves as St. Joseph Mercy Hospital’s Mercy Regional Cancer Center
Principal Investigator, a position he’s held since 1999.
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mymercy.us
remarkable medicine. remarkable care.
If you have questions about programs and services of St. Joseph Mercy Port Huron, please
visit us online at: mymercy.us. To find a physician near you, call toll-free 1-888-MERCYME.
St. Joseph Mercy and Tomorrow’s Cure for Cancer
- continued
“In addition to prevention trials in which Debbie is participating,” comments Dr. Cox,
“there are studies available for prevention of other cancers, future cancers, and to research
such issues as symptom management.
“For example,” he continues, “clinical trials for cancer patients to help prevent or lessen
the side effects of chemotherapy are readily available. We know that chemotherapy can do
a lot of good for patients, but we need to make more progress in continuing to reduce the
side effects of these lifesaving treatments.”
Clinical Cancer Trials are provided locally through a team of expert physicians and nurses
dedicated to coordinating and managing the trials in the local community.
St. Joseph Mercy’s clinical trials team includes two nurse professionals, Sally Jackson, RN,
an Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN); and Theresa Laeder, RN, BSN. The team works
with patients such as Debbie to help manage the study.
“Debbie will be involved in the study for a 12-month period,” explains Sally Jackson. “We
will work together with her primary oncologist, Anup Lal, MD, Blue Water Oncology,
PC, who also serves as a local lead investigator, to help Debbie through the study, coordinate her medications and provide the medical supports she needs.”
HEALTH TIP
Understanding Clinical
Research Trials
Clinical trials are research
studies that involve patient
volunteers who help find different
ways to treat diseases such as
cancer. Each study is designed to
find potentially better ways to
prevent, diagnose or treat cancer.
There are currently nearly 100
studies available to newly diagnosed patients as well as patients
who have already been treated
with standard therapies.
For research details, please
call 810-984-1185; or visit St.
Joseph Mercy online at:
mymercy.us.
At St. Joseph Mercy Port
Huron...we’re putting tomorrow’s
cure for cancer within your reach
today.
Receiving care Close To Home
Debbie became engaged in the study after Dr. Lal referred her to a Detroit-area center for
a pathology second opinion. “Once there, Debbie was introduced to a clinical trial, but
when she was made aware the trial was available right here, close to home, she agreed to
take part,” explains Dr. Lal.
“Debbie is now enrolled in a random blind prevention study to demonstrate an improvement in disease-free survival in locally advanced renal cell cancer,” explains Sally. “The
trial has three arms, including two drugs and a placebo. Debbie will not know which part
of the study she is on.”
“Although the study was offered to me at the Detroit center, I’m very happy to be taking
part in this study right in my community. It really cuts down on travel,” explains Debbie. “At
the beginning I had appointments once a week. I also feel more comfortable knowing that I
have all my physicians around me while I undergo this treatment.”
Prior to becoming involved in the study, Debbie wasn’t aware that advanced clinical trials
were available locally. “I’m so pleased to know that this type of expertise is in our community. The study is going well and I hope it offers successful prevention for my own sake
and for others in the future.”
“What this really illustrates is the benefit to our patients,” continues Dr. Lal. “We were able
to offer Deborah the same clinical trial and cutting-edge research protocol.”
“Often local patients think that they have to travel to Detroit to access many of the trials
that we offer at St. Joseph Mercy, explains Theresa Laeder. “But, that simply isn’t the case.
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Page 2
remarkable medicine. remarkable care.
If you have questions about programs and services of St. Joseph Mercy Port Huron, please
visit us online at: mymercy.us. To find a physician near you, call toll-free 1-888-MERCYME.
National Clinical Research Trials
- continued
For example, more than 20 different studies available at such centers as Beaumont,
University of Michigan, and Karmanos are actually available right here.”
“Offering clinical cancer research trials locally is not only important for the community,
but the hospital as well,” comments Samir Alsawah, MD, a local oncologist who also
serves as a lead investigator of clinical trials at St. Joseph Mercy.
“Participating in trials of this level ensures that we are following an outstanding standard
of care,” he continues. “They are not only good for our patients, but require that we can
offer the highest level of quality care in the community; it’s a winning combination.”
New Trials available
“In addition to standard studies available through the program, new clinical trials
continue to open with opportunities for local patients,” states Sally. “For example, we
just opened a new prevention trial for colon cancer patients.
“The trial is for patients diagnosed at stage 1 or stage 2 who have had a bowel resection
in the last year, and who have not received chemotherapy or radiation therapy,” Sally
continues.
“This will be an important study to prevent recurrence. The five-year study is currently
accepting 1,700 patients. We are one of only 325 centers nationwide to be eligible to
accept patients.”
“These types of trials bring unbelievable value to the community,” comments Youssef
Hanna, MD, a local medical oncologist with Huron Medical Center, PC, who is also a
lead investigator for clinical trials through St. Joseph Mercy.
“This work offers patients access to national studies that not only could help them
directly, but will help future generations to come. I highly recommend that any eligible
patients consider taking part in a trial.”
Clinical cancer trial participation is often a covered insurance benefit. In addition, patients
receive additional routine medical care and screenings in conjunction with the trial.
The Mercy Regional Cancer Center
is a 2008 Commission on Cancer
of the American College of Surgeons
Outstanding Achievement
Award Winner.
The information provided in Healthy
Living is for educational purposes only.
Speak with your doctor directly about
any issues that effect your health.
Editor: Stephanie Armstrong-Helton
810-984-1166
[email protected]
mymercy.us
St. Joseph Mercy also provides clinical trials related to radiation therapy through Radiation Therapy Director and lead investigator Kanu Dalal, MD.
If you are currently a cancer patient and would like more information regarding
clinical cancer research trials through St. Joseph Mercy, talk to your doctor today.
If you think you are potentially eligible for the recently opened Colon Cancer Prevention
Study, speak with your doctor, or contact Sally Jackson or Theresa Laeder directly by
calling: 810-984-1185.
You can also find out more by visiting St. Joseph Mercy Port Huron online at:
mymercy.us.
St. Joseph Mercy Port Huron O 2601 Electric Avenue, Port Huron, MI 48060 O mymercy.us