May 27, 2014
US Oncology Research, The US Oncology Network and McKesson Specialty Health Affiliated Investigators Participate in Nearly 80 Studies Featured at ASCO 2014
The Woodlands, Texas (May 27, 2014) – More than 70 leading investigators affiliated with US Oncology Research, The US Oncology Network and McKesson Specialty Health participated in nearly 80 studies that will be presented, displayed or published at the 50th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) held May 30-June 3 at McCormick Place in Chicago. Of those studies, ten will be featured as oral presentations, one as a plenary session, 57 as poster presentations and ten as publications.
“We are honored to participate in the design and execution of numerous clinical trials presented at this year’s 50th ASCO meeting, for which several of our affiliated practices also helped lead enrollment in the U.S.,” said Michael Seiden, M.D., Ph.D., chief medical officer for McKesson Specialty Health and The US Oncology Network. “The breadth and depth of our research involvement demonstrates the commitment of US Oncology Research physicians to advance the science of cancer care and bring new therapies to patients battling cancer.”
Lucy Langer, M.D., medical oncologist and hematologist with Compass Oncology and medical director of Cancer Genetics for The US Oncology Network, will present the results of a trial titled, “A study of ovarian cancer patients tested with a 25-gene panel of hereditary cancer genes.” This presentation will be part of a larger session focused on panel-based testing for hereditary cancer syndromes. During the oral presentation, Dr. Langer will discuss the results of the trial and articulate why the findings are important for the identification of cancer syndromes beyond the Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (HBOC) Syndrome associated with mutations in the genes BRCA1 and BRCA2. The presentation will occur on Monday, June 2 from 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM in S100a.
“This trial is an examination of how we test for hereditary syndromes that may cause ovarian cancer,” said Dr. Langer. “This is an exciting time for hereditary cancer genetics because the science and the economics have brought us to a place where we can accurately evaluate a large number of genes in a single test. This presentation will highlight the test outcomes of using a panel of genes up front, rather than hand selecting single genes to test sequentially.”
In addition, Jeff Sharman, M.D., director of research at Willamette Valley Cancer Institute and Research Center and medical director of hematology research for The US Oncology Network, will present the findings in an oral presentation titled “Phase 2 trial of GS-9973, a selective Syk inhibitor, in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).” US Oncology Research was a lead enroller for this Phase 2 study, the results of which Dr. Sharman will detail during his presentation. The presentation will occur on Tuesday, June 3 from 9:45 AM to 12:45 PM in E354a.
Clinical trial development and community-based research are also being discussed during the conference. Nicholas Robert, M.D., oncologist from Virginia Cancer Specialists and associate chair of The US Oncology Network Breast Cancer Committee, will present on this topic during an oral presentation titled, “ASCO’s Community Research Forum: Addressing Challenges of Community-Based Research from the Grass Roots.” The presentation will occur on Saturday, May 31 from 8:00 AM to 9:15 AM in S100a and is part of the educational session, “The Changing Landscape of Federally Sponsored Trials.”
“Extensive clinical research is done in the community setting,” said Dr. Robert. “That’s why it’s important that research conducted in this setting is of the highest quality. The goal of the ASCO Community Research Forum is to focus on the challenges community research faces and the work to overcome them.”
As part of McKesson Specialty Health, US Oncology Research supports community-based oncologists, many of whom are affiliated with The US Oncology Network, to participate in clinical research studies. US Oncology Research has a long history of bringing innovative and successful agents to market. The physicians affiliated with US Oncology Research have played a role in 48 FDA-approved cancer therapies, nearly one-third of all cancer therapies approved by the FDA to date. In 2013, physicians participating in US Oncology Research enrolled the first patient in the U.S. on eight separate trials. Click here to view a complete list of affiliated studies being featured at ASCO.
About US Oncology Research
Supported by McKesson Specialty Health and The US Oncology Network, US Oncology Research draws from a network of experienced investigators and dedicated clinical staff who specialize in Phase I through Phase IV oncology clinical trials. US Oncology Research serves nearly 70 research sites and approximately 240 locations managing about 225 active trials at any given time. Physicians in the research network have enrolled more than 57,000 patients in nearly 1,300 trials since inception in 1992 and have played a role in 48 FDA-approved cancer therapies, nearly one-third of all cancer therapies approved by the FDA to date. For more information call (800) 482-6700 or visit www.usoncology.com/oncologists.
About The US Oncology Network
The US Oncology Network is one of the nation’s largest networks of integrated, community-based oncology practices dedicated to advancing high-quality, evidence-based cancer care. A physician-led organization, The US Oncology Network unites like-minded physicians and clinicians around a common vision of improving patient outcomes and quality of life. Leveraging healthcare information technology, shared best practices, evidence-based guidelines and quality measurements, physicians within The US Oncology Network are pioneering new ways to achieve this vision. The US Oncology Network is committed to strengthening patient access to integrated care in local communities across the nation, including collaboration with a variety of payers, hospitals and academic institutions. The US Oncology Network is supported by McKesson Specialty Health, a division of McKesson Corporation focused on empowering a vibrant and sustainable community patient care delivery system. For more information, visit www.usoncology.com.
About McKesson Specialty Health
McKesson Specialty Health, a division of McKesson Corporation, empowers the community patient care delivery system by helping community practices advance the science, technology and quality of care. Through innovative clinical, research, business and operational solutions, facilitated by integrated technology systems, we focus on improving the financial health of our customers so they may provide the best care to their patients. For more information, visit www.mckessonspecialtyhealth.com.
Media Contact
Claire Crye
281-825-9927
Claire.Crye@usoncology.com