TGen-Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center study of firm's first
nanodrug shows promising results
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - April 26, 2012 - Arizona resident Evelyn
Sorensen is in a far different place today than she was six months
ago, thanks to a cutting-edge cancer clinical trial being conducted
at the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare in
partnership with the Translational Genomics Research Institute
(TGen).
When Sorensen was diagnosed with stage two cervical cancer two
years ago, she underwent rounds of chemotherapy and
radiation. But the cancer eventually spread to her lymph
nodes. Doctors told her they were inoperable, and there were
no other standard treatment options available to her.
"I was out of options, and I wasn't happy to hear that," said
Sorensen, a resident of Mesa. "I'm 47 years old and I'm not ready
to say goodbye just yet."
Sorensen then learned of the BIND-014 clinical trial being
conducted through Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center Clinical Trials,
and quickly joined the study in August of 2011. Virginia G. Piper
Cancer Center Clinical Trials is a partnership between Scottsdale
Healthcare and TGen that treats cancer patients with promising new
drugs.
BIND-014, created by BIND Biosciences in Cambridge, Mass., is
being studied in patients with advanced or metastatic cancer. It
uses microscopic drones to deliver medicine directly to cancer
cells, increasing the drug's effectiveness and minimizing side
effects. The study is led in Scottsdale by Dr. Daniel Von
Hoff, chief scientific officer at Scottsdale Healthcare and
physician-in-chief at TGen.
After her first treatment on the study in September 2011,
Sorensen's tumors began to shrink rapidly. Today, doctors say her
cancer has diminished substantially, although she still takes the
medication to maintain the results. Sorensen is beyond
thrilled with the outcomes.
"I didn't even have any of the horrible side effects that are
associated with chemotherapy such as weight loss or hair loss," she
said. "I even joked with Dr. Von Hoff that I thought he was giving
me a placebo because I didn't feel anything!"
Scientists and oncologists say this new nanoparticle treatment
could be a big step in the fight against cancer and have high hopes
for the future of this kind of targeted therapy.
"Cancer cells are very good at erecting a defense against foreign
harmful substances," said Dr. Ramesh Ramanthan, M.D., medical
director of Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center Clinical Trials. "We
think that nanoparticles may be the solution to penetrating cancer
cells and delivering cancer drugs more effectively."
As for Sorensen, the future is looking much brighter than it did
for her six months ago. She is now strong enough to return to
work and is back to swimming and enjoying her life.
"It's so hard to explain because at one moment you're trying to
get your affairs in order and you only have a year to live, and
then all of the sudden you are offered hope, a chance to live,"
said Sorensen. "And I intend to take advantage of every
moment of it."
Individuals seeking information about eligibility to participate
in clinical trials at the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at
Scottsdale Healthcare may contact the cancer care coordinator at
480-323-1339; toll free at 1-877-273-3713 or via email at
[email protected]
About the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale
Healthcare
The Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare
opened in 2001 as the first major cancer center in greater Phoenix,
offering comprehensive cancer care and research through Phase I
clinical trials, diagnosis, treatment, prevention and support
services in collaboration with leading researchers and community
oncologists. The Scottsdale Healthcare cancer program holds
Accreditation with Commendation from the Commission on Cancer of
the American College of Surgeons. Scottsdale Healthcare is the
nonprofit parent organization of the Virginia G. Piper Cancer
Center at Scottsdale Healthcare, Scottsdale Healthcare Research
Institute, Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn Medical Center, Scottsdale
Healthcare Shea Medical Center and Scottsdale Healthcare Thompson
Peak Hospital. For more information, visit www.shc.org.
Press Contact:
Jamie Houston
Public Relations Coordinator
Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center
480-323-1387
[email protected]