Hoag has been exclusively selected as the only hospital in Orange County, and the only non-academic institution, to offer this promising phase 2 immunotherapy clinical trial for solid tumors. Hoag’s commitment to innovation and excellence has earned the hospital a reputation as an effective partner for these investigational new therapies on-par with leading academic centers.
Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian has been selected to conduct a Phase 2 clinical trial that researchers hope will demonstrate preliminary efficacy on pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer, with a five-year survival rate of just 5%. The new combination therapy uses the body’s own immune system to fight off deadly cancer cells.
Pancreatic Cancer
“Pancreatic cancer is a deadly cancer. Our present-day therapies are better than they use to be, but science is not anywhere near where it needs to be for these patients,” he said. “Hoag continues to push forward and expand our ability to offer patients with advanced pancreatic cancer new hope as we deliver on innovative treatments, such as immunotherapy clinical trials.”
Hoag Leads the Way in Immuno-Oncology
“Hoag will be the first in Orange County to offer cell therapy for solid tumors, and was exclusively selected as the only hospital in Orange County to offer this pancreatic cancer trial as part of its new cell therapy program,” said Burton L. Eisenberg, M.D., F.A.C.S., executive medical director of Hoag Family Cancer Institute and the Grace E. Hoag Executive Medical Director Endowed Chair.
This type of immunotherapy, also known as cell therapy, harnesses the body’s own immune system to target, kill and “remember” cancer cells. The agents involved in this pancreatic cancer clinical trial have been “designed” to find pancreatic cancer cells and initiate a large immune response against them. This may allow the body to develop its own antibodies to fight the cancer.
A Breakthrough Therapy Covered by TrialSite
This specific breakthrough therapy can extend lives and, in fact, TrialSite reported on just that happening when ex-Senator Harry Reid participated in an Compassionate Use Program, affording him access to the investigational treatment.
The treatment involves combining standard-of-care chemotherapy with investigational therapies, including cell therapy company NantKwest’s tumor-targeted natural killer cells, PD-L1 t-haNK; ImmunityBio’s superagonist, N-803, and the drug aldoxorubicin HCI. The trial will compare the results of the combination therapy against the use of chemotherapy alone in patients with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer.
“This unique approach to orchestrating the innate and adaptive immune systems to target and kill cancer cells may be an important new approach for pancreatic cancer patients,” said Patrick Soon-Shiong, M.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NantKwest and ImmunityBio. “We are excited to collaborate with Hoag to offer this investigational approach to more patients who suffer from pancreatic cancer.”
“For many patients, especially those with advanced cancers, a clinical trial can offer a more effective treatment option than standard therapy,” Dr. Eisenberg said. “Hoag continues to relentlessly pursue innovative treatment options and leading-edge medical advances to deliver a level of care that is truly personalized medicine.”
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