NEWPORT BEACH, CALIF., May 19, 2020 --- Hoag Family Cancer Institute and Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute
at Hoag, in collaboration with Nascent Biotech, Inc announced today a
first in the nation clinical trial for a novel immunotherapy treatment
that holds considerable promise for glioblastoma (GBM), the deadliest
form of brain cancer.
Pritumumab is a unique monoclonal antibody that attacks cancers originating
in the cells lining an organ – referred to as epithelial cells.
These include cancers of the brain, breast, colon and pancreas, as well
as melanoma. Prior Phase I and II clinical trials in Japan focused on
the treatment of high-grade gliomas including GBM.
This Phase I clinical trial leverages the Hoag Family Cancer Institute
and Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute’s assets in their collaboration
when treating all aspects of brain tumors. With more than 20,000 new cases
of GBM diagnosed in the U.S. every year, Hoag’s infrastructure in
its Center for Research Education, as well as Hoag’s neurosciences
and cancer expertise and reputation appealed to Nascent Biotech as they
chose a national site.
The study will be conducted by Hoag’s Neuro-Oncology Clinic that
helps guide the entire continuum of comprehensive care for patients with
brain tumors.
“The trial is a natural fit for Hoag, which is devoted to compassionate
patient-centric care, creative innovation, and clinical excellence,”
said Jose Carrillo, M.D., Hoag neuro-oncologist and principal investigator
on the trial. “By offering our patients access to targeted immunotherapy,
we expand our toolkit to include a treatment option that has the potential
to turn the tables on brain cancer.”
“Targeted immunotherapy, unlike chemotherapy, fights only the cancer
cells, without damaging healthy cells. This has the potential to improve
outcomes and help our patients beat cancer while minimizing the debilitating
side effects normally associated with cancer treatment,” added Dr. Carrillo.
Pritumumab works by targeting ectodomain vimentin, a protein expressed
on the surface of epithelial cancers. Because vimentin is found in a variety
of cancers, the clinical trial at Hoag could have implications for more
common cancers, such as breast or lung. In fact, the Hoag trial will employ
a unique Phase I design that can ultimately treat a variety of brain cancers
from gliomas and other primary brain tumors to brain metastases and leptomeningeal
cancers arising from breast, lung and other solid tumors.
"There are significant unmet medical needs in a variety of cancers,”
said Sean Carrick, CEO of Nascent Biotech, makers of the immunotherapy
treatment. “Nascent is committed to changing patient expectations
and outcomes in one of the world's most debilitating cancers and Hoag
is a natural partner towards achieving this goal. We're highly encouraged
by the potential of Pritumumab to deliver an innovative, first-in-class
treatment option, and we are delighted to be working closely with Hoag
in this study.”
Hoag’s Phase I clinical trials and many aspects of its cancer research
are significantly supported by philanthropy.
For more information on the research studies and clinical trials at Hoag, visit
www.hoag.org/clinicaltrials.
ABOUT HOAG FAMILY CANCER INSTITUTE
As the largest cancer program in Southern California outside of Los Angeles County,
Hoag Family Cancer Institute treats more than 4,000 new patients annually. Hoag’s multidisciplinary
cancer team orchestrates subspecialized, tumor-specific programs that
provide leading edge cancer treatments and a full range of advanced cancer
therapies, as well as Hoag’s Precision Medicine Program and new
investigational treatments. Hoag Family Cancer Institute formed an alliance
with USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center to become the first community
hospital in Orange County to offer patients access to Early Development
Clinical Trials. Hoag also offers patients access to a Cancer Prevention,
High Risk & Early Detection Network to educate, screen and implement
best practices for preventing the onset of cancer. With dedicated, site-specific
nurse navigation and extensive support services, Hoag helps patients optimize
quality of life from diagnosis through survivorship. Hoag Family Cancer
Institute has received numerous national distinctions, including Hoag
Radiation Oncology ranking in the top 1% of outpatient facilities in the
Press Ganey® overall patient satisfaction ratings, andU.S. News & World Report ranking Hoag as high performing in cancer, lung cancer surgery and colon
cancer surgery.
ABOUT PICKUP FAMILY NEUROSCIENCES INSTITUTE
Delivering a personalized, integrated approach using best-practice guidelines,
the most advanced technology, and integration of medical specialists in
the most appropriate facilities, the
Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute (PFNI) at Hoag provides the highest quality care for patients with brain and spine disorders
including stroke, aneurysms and vascular malformations, brain tumors,
epilepsy, movement disorders, memory and cognitive disorders, pain, minimally
invasive spine surgery, multiple sclerosis, addiction medicine and sleep
disorders, as well as the mind-body interface of behavioral health. Several
of Hoag’s PFNI programs have received high acclaim, including the
stroke program, which was the first hospital in Orange County and the
second in California to be named a Certified Comprehensive Stroke Center
by DNV GL Healthcare. It was awarded the American Stroke Association’s
Get With The Guidelines Stroke Gold Plus Performance Achievement for stroke
care. And as one of the first centers in the U.S. to offer the most advanced
radiosurgical treatment system available, Leksell Gamma Knife® Perfexion™, the PFNI brain tumor program is the largest in Orange
County and is also among the top volume programs in the western United
States. The epilepsy program is an accredited Level 4 center. The PFNI’s
memory and cognitive disorders program is nationally recognized.
ABOUT HOAG
Hoag is a nonprofit, regional health care delivery network in Orange County,
California, that treats more than 30,000 inpatients and 480,000 outpatients
annually. Hoag consists of two acute-care hospitals – Hoag Hospital
Newport Beach, which opened in 1952, and Hoag Hospital Irvine, which opened
in 2010 – in addition to nine health centers and 13 urgent care
centers. Hoag has invested $261 million in programs and services to support
the underserved community within the past five years, including areas
like mental health, homelessness, transportation for seniors, education,
and support for single mothers. Hoag is a designated Magnet® hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Hoag offers
a comprehensive blend of health care services that includes five institutes
providing specialized services in the following areas:
cancer,
heart and vascular,
neurosciences,
women’s health, and orthopedics through Hoag’s affiliate,
Hoag Orthopedic Institute, which consists of an orthopedic hospital and two ambulatory surgical centers.
Hoag has been named one of the Best Regional Hospitals in the 2019 - 2020
U.S. News & World Report. For an unprecedented 23 years, residents of Orange County have chosen
Hoag as one of the county’s best hospitals in a local newspaper
survey. Visit
www.hoag.org for more information.
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click here.