The Woodlands, Texas (February 4, 2016) — US Oncology Research, one of the largest community-based oncology research programs in the United States specializing in oncology clinical trials, announced it has recruited its 2,000th patient to participate in a Phase I clinical trial through its Translational Oncology Program (TOP). Phase I trials present special challenges to both patients and treatment centers and are rarely found in a community setting. The TOP Program, chaired by oncologist and research scientist Daniel Von Hoff, M.D., F.A.C.P, chief scientific officer of US Oncology Research, provides guidance, resources and support so physicians in community-based cancer centers can successfully offer these complex research studies to their patients. Providing access to these advanced clinical trials close to home allows patients to be near family and friends in a familiar setting, supporting optimal outcomes.

“We have reached a great milestone in our Phase I Translational Oncology Program by recruiting our 2,000th patient,” noted Lisa Holland, VP, US Oncology Research. “It is very challenging for practices to manage these complex trials as well as to connect or reach patients when they are looking for access to more options beyond standard therapies, so this is a major accomplishment. I am very proud of the success of the program and proud to support the hundreds of affiliated physicians who lead the program and who work tirelessly for their patients.”

Phase I clinical trials are designed to investigate whether a new drug or treatment, which has proven to be safe for use in animals, may also be safe for people. Participants are often the first to receive a new investigational therapy or a new combination of therapies. Additionally, these advanced trials can only be conducted at qualified locations that have the experience, facilities, and equipment required to conduct such studies. Because of these complexities, Phase I trials are difficult to operate in a community setting and are usually only available at large university hospitals, making the enrollment of 2,000 patients in the TOP program a significant achievement in the cancer community.

“The US Oncology Research TOP Program has pioneered a model for the large scale deployment of Phase I trials across select cities in the nation through community-based cancer centers,” said Fadi Braiteh, M.D., medical oncologist and director of the TOP Phase I Program for Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada, an affiliate of US Oncology Research. “This allows us to bring the best in new experimental treatment options to our local communities where patients can be treated by expert clinical investigators who utilize these novel therapies, often used for the first time in human subjects, many of which can become, with further development, the newest standard of care in the treatment of specific cancers.”

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