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The Section of Hematology/Oncology has a very
robust and successful clinical research program. Currently over 250
industry sponsored clinical trials are available to patients with:
- Leukemia
- Lymphoma
- Lung Cancer
- Head and neck cancer
- Breast cancer
- GI Cancer
- Genitourinary Cancer
- Mesothelioma
- Melanoma
- Other solid tumors.
In addition, the Section of Hematology/Oncology is one of only a
handful of institutions in the country to conduct clinical trials
in Phase I, Phase II, and Phase III drug development. A Phase I
trial is the first step for physicians to determine whether a potential
drug can be tolerated. Presently the Section is the recipient of
a Phase I grant that provides novel cancer therapies to patients
who have not responded to established therapies. Phase II trials
occur after a potential treatment is found to be tolerated in Phase
I trials. Our clinical researchers study the effectiveness of the
treatment on a specific type of cancer in a small group of patients.
Phase III trials occur after Phase II generally in larger groups
of patients to compare the experimental treatment’s effectiveness
against standard therapy for a particular type of cancer. We are
the headquarters for CALGB, Cancer and Leukemia Group B, a national
network of 29 university medical centers, over 225 community hospitals
and more than 3,000 oncology specialists who collaborate in clinical
research studies
The main objective of our clinical research initiative is to identify
less toxic and more effective treatment regimens for all types of
cancers. As a result, we have discovered many innovative and cutting
edge cancer therapies which often are not available at other institutions.
The majority of the faculty is dedicated to clinical research efforts
and are assisted by a team of research nurses, data and regulatory
coordinators who serve to facilitate data management of ongoing trials,
organization of responsibilities of ancillary study staff, and coordination
of follow up for patients involved in ongoing clinical trials.
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