Patients who participate in a study of a new treatment receive expert medical care, along with the possibility of a better quality of life and longer life span.
When you hear the phrase “clinical trials,” you might think of cutting-edge research conducted at the National Institutes of Health or the National Cancer Institute (NCI). But there are important clinical trials underway right in your backyard— at the J. Phillip Citta Regional Cancer Center at Community Medical Center (CMC), in partnership with the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, an NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.
To find out how patients might benefit, we spoke with Chirag Shah, MD, a medical oncologist and principal investigator for clinical trials, and David D’Ambrosio, MD, radiation oncologist and medical director of New Jersey CyberKnife.
What kinds of clinical trials are underway at CMC?
Dr. Shah:
We’re investigating the roles of exercise and weight loss in preventing cancer recurrence in overweight women with early stage breast cancer. One group of participants will receive coaching for exercise and weight loss, and another will receive general educational information about breast cancer topics.
In another trial, we’re studying a drug called abemaciclib, which is currently used to treat women with advanced, or metastatic, breast cancer. We’re investigating its safety and effectiveness in women with early stage, hormone receptor positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer.
Our goal is to determine whether this drug is more effective in preventing relapses when combined with hormone therapy. We’re also participating in a national trial called ALCHEMIST (Adjuvant Lung Cancer Enrichment Marker Identification and Sequencing Trials). Patients with early stage, non-small cell lung cancer who have certain genetic mutations will receive new medications after surgery and chemotherapy. The medications being studied target two types of genetic changes that are thought to cause lung cancer growth—especially in nonsmokers.
Patients who aren’t eligible to receive these drugs will be given immunotherapy—in which a drug is used to help the immune system fight cancer—after surgery to determine whether it can prevent a cancer recurrence. Also underway is a study on Stage II and Stage III colon cancer. We’re evaluating a new test for the detection of a recurrence after surgery. Patients’ blood will be checked for the presence of certain genes that indicate a recurrence. This will be done in addition to standard followup testing—bloodwork and CT scans every six to 12 months.
The experimental test will be compared to standard testing to find out if it correlates with cancer recurrence. If it does, it can be used in the future to detect recurrence earlier by a simple blood test.
Dr. D’Ambrosio:
We’re conducting studies on our own and in collaboration with other universities on prostate cancer and metastatic breast cancer. We’re investigating the effectiveness of CyberKnife, a robot that can deliver a large amount of radiation to a tumor in a very precise manner. It allows us to eliminate
cancer without causing harmful side effects.
What are you hoping to learn from these clinical trials?
Dr. Shah:
We’re trying to discover whether there are better treatment options for early stage breast cancer. Also, we want to find out if a change in lifestyle, such as weight loss, can decrease recurrence rates. Every therapy we have today was yesterday’s clinical trial.
Dr. D’Ambrosio:
We’re trying to find out whether CyberKnife can help improve outcomes compared to systemic therapies, such as chemotherapy, or immunotherapy alone. How can patients benefit from participating in a clinical trial?
Dr. Shah:
By participating in a clinical trial, patients can sometimes improve their quality of life—and even their life span. They also contribute to the development of safer and more effective therapies for patients in the future.
Dr. D’Ambrosio:
Patients receive therapies they might not have access to otherwise. In addition, through our collaborative trials with Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and other academic medical centers, such as the University of Pittsburgh and Georgetown University, other physicians review our treatment plans and ensure that they meet the highest standards. It’s like having a built-in second opinion.
The Patient Experience
Currently, there are 21 clinical trials at CMC, and more than 250 patients were enrolled in them at the end of 2018, according to Lennette Gonzales, RN, MSHS, OCN, CCRP, oncology research nurse. Many patients are grateful for the opportunity to participate because they receive more medical attention. “They have a second set of eyes on them,” says Gonzales. “Nurses call them and make sure they’re doing okay.”
CMC patients benefit from the hospital’s affiliation with Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, a National Cancer Institute- Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. “A patient can be referred to a trial there,” says Gonzales. In the near future, CMC will be collaborating with Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey on joint clinical trials.
Participation in a trial often involves additional testing, such as blood work, MRI scans or mammograms. Also, patients may need to complete questionnaires pertaining to their diet, physical activity, social life and emotions, depending on the nature of the trial. Eligibility for trials varies, but in general patients must be over 18 and mobile. “We tell patients that even if they don’t benefit from a trial, their participation may help others—possibly their children or grandchildren—in the future,” says Gonzales.
RWJBarnabas Health and Community Medical Center, in partnership with Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey—the state’s only NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center—provide close-to-home access to the latest treatment and clinical trials.
Visit Community Medical Center to learn more about clinical trials, or call 732.557.8294.