Advancing Cancer Treatment Through Clinical Trials
MD Anderson Cancer Center, one of the nation’s top cancer centers, has selected Premier Health to participate in several phase 2 and phase 3 clinical trials focused on new cancer medications and cancer-related devices.
“Clinical trials allow us to advance the science of cancer treatment in real people,” says surgical oncologist James Ouellette, DO, FACS, clinical service line leader, oncology, and certified physician with MD Anderson Cancer Network® . “Many patients benefit from being involved in clinical trials, and the trials provide access to medications or treatments that would otherwise be limited or restricted.”
Premier Health applied for the privilege of offering MD Anderson clinical trials as part of its status as a certified member of the MD Anderson Cancer Network®.
Amanda Musser, MSN, RN, system director, hospital operations outpatient oncology, describes the process of gaining access to MD Anderson clinical trials. “We have been working on growing our oncology clinical trial program to allow patients to receive care within their community. In 2021, we strategized with physicians from Premier Blood and Cancer Center, as well as Premier Health surgical and gynecological oncologists. MD Anderson evaluated our portfolio and structure, and we were able to successfully show them our commitment to research.”
She continues, “I am most excited that our patients at Premier Health will be able to stay close to their loved ones and be offered a treatment that they may not have had access to before. Giving patients the opportunity to stay close to home and receive the same treatment or trial as people being seen at MD Anderson is a great achievement for us.”
The goal of phase 2 trials is to test new treatments that may slow or stop cancer growth, or destroy cancer altogether. These trials may also look at improved quality of life or extending people’s lives. People in these trials often get the dosage deemed safest and most effective in previous trials.
Phase 3 clinical trials compare the safety and effectiveness of the new treatment against the current standard treatment.
As Premier Health physicians recognize patients who are eligible for various MD Anderson trials, they can enroll those patients. Premier Health also participates in many National Cancer Institute and industry-sponsored clinical trials. If you are interested in participating in oncology clinical trials, or referring patients, please reach out to Darinda Reis, oncology clinical trial supervisor, at (937) 438-7882 (937) 438-7882or Amanda Musser at (937) 776-6010(937) 776-6010.
