Spotlight on Cancer: Genitourinary Cancer Research and The West Clinic

Brad S. Somer, MD

West Clinic Selected For International Trial Investigating Adjuvant Treatment of Renal Cell Carcinoma

The West Clinic has been selected to participate in a prestigious international clinical trial for the adjuvant treatment of renal cell carcinoma.  The Phase 3 randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial will evaluate oral Sutent or placebo for one year of therapy in the adjuvant setting. The primary end point is disease-free survival. The West Clinic is one of a select few sites in the US selected to participate in the trial.

“An explosion of new drugs has created a lot of excitement in the field of metastatic renal cell carcinoma allowing patients to live longer and better on these therapies,” according to Brad Somer, MD, Principal Investigator for the trial. “West Clinic brings an option to the region that looks to enhance the likelihood of survival of those with surgically curable disease. The greater Memphis region is very fortunate to be one of the US sites chosen for this international trial.”

Sunitinib malate (Sutent) is an oral, multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor of KIT, PDGFRs, VEGFRs, RET, and FLT3, and an active and approved therapy for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma. Basic eligibility includes patients with local disease based on TNM staging including T3No or Nx, M0; T4N0 or Nx, M0; and any T, N1-2, M0.  Patients cannot have metastatic disease for this particular trial. However, our research profile for RCC patients assures potential eligibility for a different clinical trial.

For the adjuvant trial, patients must receive the first oral study drug dose not more than 12 weeks after date of surgery. 

If you have potential patients please email research@westclinic.com or call Tracy Stewart, Director of Research, 901-683-0055 extension 1236.

Multidisciplinary Approach
The West Clinic has broad expertise in the treatment of GU cancers and offers comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for all stages of genitourinary cancers. Our patients have access to a complete range of conventional treatment modalities including advanced interventional radiology procedures as well as clinical trial options for bladder, prostate, and renal cancers.

For a complete listing of our clinical trials visit www.westclinic.com


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