US Oncology Research Network presents clinical study demonstrating benefits of personalized medicine

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04/21/2009 US Oncology Research Network presents clinical study demonstrating benefits of personalized medicine

HOUSTON, April 22, 2009—Nationally renowned cancer physician, researcher and chief scientific officer at US Oncology, Daniel Von Hoff, M.D., presented during a plenary session at the American Association for Cancer Research’s (AACR) 100^th Annual Meeting in Denver, Colo. on Monday. The presentation, “A pilot study utilizing molecular profiling of patients’ tumors to find potential targets and select treatments for their refractory cancers,” demonstrated effects on tumor size and progression-free survival among patients with advanced cancers.

The study was designed to determine if molecular profiling the tumors of patients with metastatic cancer could provide clinical benefits. Most patients at this stage of their disease have run out of treatment options for their tumors.

“This trial was unique because patients acted as their own control. We compared progression-free survival (PFS) after the patients progressed on their prior treatment regimen with what had occurred before molecular profiling,” said Dr. Von Hoff. Dr. Von Hoff is also chief scientific officer at Scottsdale Healthcare and senior investigator and physician-in-chief at TGen. “This allowed us to control issues that confound other trials like tumor subtypes and differences in biology.”

The study’s objective was to compare progression free survival using a treatment regimen selected after molecular profiling identified a precise target. Nine sites in the United States submitted tumor samples.

Of the patients studied, 27 percent had breast cancer, 17 percent had colorectal cancer, 8 percent had ovarian cancer and 48% had cancers that were classified as miscellaneous. All patients had progression of the tumor on prior chemotherapy regimens.

The study concluded it is possible to measure molecular targets in patients’ tumors from nine different centers, and this approach may provide clinical benefit for some patients by providing a longer PFS treated by molecular profiling results than the PFS they had on their prior treatment regimen.

US Oncology supports the nation’s foremost cancer research and treatment network, having enrolled nearly 38,000 cancer patients in clinical trials, from phase I through phase IV. With full clinical trials service offerings to biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, US Oncology is poised to lead the charge with personalized medicine. Three oncology practices affiliated with US Oncology participated in this trial, including Cancer Centers of the Carolinas, Texas Oncology-Tyler and Central Indiana Cancer Center.

“Personalized medicine is the future of cancer care and we are proud to be a leader with this cutting edge study,” said Stephen Smith, vice president and general manager of US Oncology Research and Science Services. “We are committed to discovering new developments that help bring personalized medicine to the forefront to help cancer patients.”

About US Oncology Research
With experienced investigators and dedicated research nurses, US Oncology Research represents the largest research network specializing in Phase I-IV oncology clinical trials in the United States. US Oncology Research serves more than 80 sites in 200 locations with over 70 open trials being managed at any given time.

Additionally, the research network has accrued nearly 38,000 patients since its inception and contributed to the development of 36 of the latest cancer-fighting drugs approved by the FDA. For more information, visit the "US Oncology Research" section under "About US Oncology" on the company's Web site, www.usoncology.com.

About US Oncology

US Oncology, headquartered in the Houston area, works closely with physicians, payers, biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical equipment manufacturers to identify and deliver innovative services that enhance patient access to advanced cancer care.

US Oncology uses its expertise to support every aspect of the cancer care delivery system—from drug development to distribution and outcomes measurement—enabling the company to help increase the efficiency and safety of cancer care. According to the company’s last quarterly earnings report, US Oncology is affiliated with 1,211 physicians operating in 456 locations, including 94 radiation oncology facilities in 39 states. For more information, visit the company’s Web site, www.usoncology.com.