Illinois CancerCare Ranks Among Top Enrollers for Cancer Clinical Trials
Illinois CancerCare’s Community Clinical Oncology Program (CCOP) is one of the nation’s top enrollers in cancer clinical trials. Illinois CancerCare CCOP ranks number 9 in treatment and cancer control trials that seek to prevent cancer or control its incidence, ahead of many other nationally recognized cancer research programs such as Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, Mayo Clinic Scottsdale, Cleveland Clinic, University of Iowa and MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Peoria, IL (PRWEB) December 05, 2012 — Illinois CancerCare’s Community Clinical Oncology Program (CCOP) is one of the nation’s top enrollers in cancer clinical trials in the newly formed Alliance of Clinical Trials in Oncology. According to the Alliance’s Accrual Data and Protocol listing (April 1, 2011–March 31, 2012), the Illinois CancerCare CCOP ranks number 9 in treatment and cancer control trials that seek to prevent cancer or control its incidence, ahead of many other nationally recognized cancer research programs such as Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, Mayo Clinic Scottsdale, Cleveland Clinic, University of Iowa and MD Anderson Cancer Center.
“The top ten standing reflects our commitment to clinical research over the past 32 years,” remarked Dr. Sachdev Thomas, Physician Director of Research. “More importantly, it allows us to access cutting edge diagnostic and treatment options offered at the top cancer centers in the world for our patients here in Central Illinois. Our physicians are routinely invited to present their research findings at national and international meetings and frequently participate in or even chair committees that design future research trials. Support from our patients, the community and the Illinois CancerCare Foundation has contributed toward this successful achievement.“
At 11 percent, Illinois CancerCare has one of the highest patient accrual rates into cancer clinical trials in the U.S., far above the national average of 4 percent.
The Alliance, formed earlier this year, merges three National Cancer Institute (NCI) funded research cooperative groups: Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB), North Central Cancer Treatment Group (NCCTG) and the American College of Surgeons Oncology Group (ACOSOG). The integration into one cooperative group leverages the talents and resources of all three to bring the latest cancer control, prevention and treatment clinical trials more quickly to patients at their community cancer centers. NCI cooperative groups enroll some 25,000 patients in clinical trials each year.
Additionally, four Illinois CancerCare physicians received awards for their extraordinary efforts in research at the annual Community Clinical Oncology Program (CCOP) conference in Washington, DC, . The awards were presented to physicians who enrolled the highest number of patients to clinical cancer trials across the nation, over a 9 month period. Only 3.4% of the 3,420 CCOP physicians qualified for the 117 awards presented. The physicians who received awards are Dr. Pankaj Kumar, Dr. Jim Knost, Dr. Nguyet Le- Lindqwister, and Dr. Sachdev Thomas.
The Illinois CancerCare CCOP offers patients the opportunity to participate in leading edge research that is usually only available at Comprehensive Cancer Centers or academic institutions, and would require patients to travel away from central Illinois for trial treatment. More than 100 cancer treatment, symptom management and preventions studies are available to patients at Illinois CancerCare. The CCOP has been funded by the National Cancer Institute since 1983 and has entered more than 3,000 patients in clinical trials.
Created in 1983 by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the CCOP network allows patients and physicians to participate in state-of-the-art clinical trials for cancer prevention and treatment while remaining in their local communities. There are 49 CCOPs currently funded in 29 states across the country, and Puerto Rico. For more information about the Illinois CancerCare CCOP call 309-243-3605.
About Illinois CancerCare:
Illinois CancerCare, P.C. is a comprehensive practice treating patients with cancer and blood diseases. The focus is to provide state-of-the-art treatments for its patients in the fight against these diseases while staying on the leading edge of breakthrough research and medicines. Illinois CancerCare is central Illinois’ largest network of cancer care specialists with 90-120 open clinical cancer research trials being conducted at any given time. Currently Illinois CancerCare has 17 physicians, more than 230 staff members and 13 clinic locations throughout central and western Illinois.
