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Ivy Brain Tumor Center Expands Phase 0 Clinical Trials Program to the East Valley
Additional Research Sites to Offer Convenience for Patients and Accelerate Study Enrollment
The Ivy Brain Tumor Center at Barrow Neurological Institute has announced a partnership with two East Valley hospitals to expand its novel Phase 0 clinical trials program, the first of its kind in neuro-oncology. In addition to Barrow Neurological Institute at Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix, brain cancer patients will now have the option to enroll in the clinical trials at Dignity Health Chandler Regional Medical Center and HonorHealth Research Institute at HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center.
By adding additional research facilities, the Ivy Center hopes to accelerate study enrollment, allowing researchers to quickly determine which experimental therapy combinations show promise in treating aggressive brain tumors. The expansion will also reduce or eliminate the need for East Valley clinical trial participants to commute to Phoenix for treatment and whose current care team will still be involved every step of the way.
“Our vision for expansion is to open Ivy Phase 0 clinical trial research sites throughout Arizona, as well as nationally and internationally,” said Dr. Nader Sanai, director of the Ivy Brain Tumor Center. “Our trials are generating ground-breaking discoveries and opening research sites across the globe will allow us to provide critical brain tumor patients with potentially life-saving treatment options.”
HonorHealth Research Institute at HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center and Dignity Health Chandler Regional Medical Center sites are now enrolling patients in the Ivy Brain Tumor Center’s Phase 0/2 combination study of ribociclib and everolimus. In this trial, the drug combination is administered in preoperative Rb-intact recurrent high-grade glioblastoma multiforme patients scheduled for resection.
“We are pleased to be a part of the Ivy Center’s clinical trials program expansion and help our patients who otherwise might not get the chance to participate in these cutting-edge studies,” said Dr. John Wanebo, Barrow neurosurgical oncologist and independent member of the HonorHealth medical staff. “Proximity and accessibility deter patients from receiving the vital treatments they need and with these new research sites, we are able to reach a broader range of patients and provide hope they are desperately seeking.”
“The goal of these innovative trials is to extend the lives of brain tumor patients and by offering easier access to those who don’t live near Phoenix we are giving them a fighting chance at beating this disease,” said Dr. Kaith Almefty, Barrow neurosurgical oncologist at Dignity Health Chandler Regional Medical Center. “It’s exciting to see the progress this program has already made in just 18 months. I’m looking forward to seeing it continue to expand because brain cancer patients need better options.”
For more information about the Ivy Brain Tumor Center and the new research sites, please visit www.ivybraintumorcenter.org.
Ivy Brain Tumor Center at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, AZ is a non-profit translational research program that employs a bold, early-phase clinical trials strategy to identify new treatments for aggressive brain tumors, including glioblastoma. The Ivy Center’s Phase 0 clinical trials program is the largest of its kind in the world and enables personalized care in a fraction of the time and cost associated with traditional drug development. Unlike conventional clinical trials focusing on single drugs, its accelerated trials program tests therapeutic combinations matched to individual patients. Learn more at IvyBrainTumorCenter.org. Follow the Ivy Brain Tumor Center on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Dignity Health’s Arizona Division includes six hospitals – Chandler Regional Medical Center, Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, which includes Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph’s Westgate Medical Center, Arizona General Hospital – Laveen and Arizona General Hospital – Mesa. From this foundation, Dignity Health’s Arizona Division has expanded into a comprehensive health care system, which includes imaging centers, clinics, specialty hospitals, urgent cares, insurance providers, an accountable care organization and other clinical partnerships. The Dignity Health Medical Group includes more than 40 practices and covers a wide range of specialties. The Arizona division is part of Dignity Health, one of the nation’s largest health care systems. For more information, please visit dignityhealth.org/arizona.
HonorHealth is a nonprofit health system serving an area of 1.6 million people in the greater Phoenix area. The network encompasses five acute-care hospitals, an extensive medical group, outpatient surgery centers, a cancer care network, clinical research, medical education and community services. HonorHealth’s mission is to improve the health and well-being of those we serve. Learn more at honorhealth.com.
The HonorHealth Research Institute is helping shape the future of medicine. We’re finding cures and improving treatments in areas like gene therapy, early drug/device development, and early detection and prevention of disease. Through our clinical trials and applied research, we’ve given hope and improved the lives of patients from all 50 states and 28 different countries around the globe. Our advanced technologies and cutting-edge treatment options are introducing tomorrow’s cures, today. Find a clinical trial or learn more at HonorHealth.com/research.