From February, 2018 Thoracic Oncology Translational Research
New Trial for First-Line NSCLC Patients Now Open
UCLS is opening a new trial for first-line NSCLC patients. This is a randomized, phase III trial to compare the efficacy of chemotherapy alone, chemotherapy with the immunotherapy drug durvalumab, and chemotherapy with durvalumab + another chemotherapy drug called tremelimumab. Patients must have stage IV NSCLC and test negative for both EGFR mutations and ALK fusions, and must have had no prior systemic therapy for their cancer.
National Etoposide Shortage Affects AZ CASPIAN Enrollment
Due to a national shortage of the drug etoposide, enrollment for Dr. Jonathan Goldman’s AZ CASPIAN trial has been slowed. However, some patient have been able to enroll in appropriate circumstances. If you believe you may be eligible and are interested in this trial, please reach out to Dr. Goldman. He will contact the sponsor for further information on the possibility of enrollment. AZ CASPIAN is a phase III study for patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer.
Novartis CPDR001C2101 Trial Reopens for First-Line NSCLC Patients
The CDPR001C2101 trial has reopened to enrollment for patients with advanced or metastatic non-squamous, non-small cell lung cancer. Patients must not have received prior systemic therapy for their cancer, and must be negative for sensitizing EGFR mutations, ALK translocations, and ROS1 rearrangements. Patients who are enrolled will receive chemotherapy in combination with the immunotherapy drug PDR001 for up to 4 treatment cycles, followed by treatment with PDR001 and the chemotherapy drug pemetrexed. This trial is open at UCLA Main Campus and at UCLA’s satellite sites in Burbank, Pasadena, Torrance, Valencia, Ventura, and Westlake Village.
Solid Malignancy Tissue Bank Expanding to UCLA Satellite Sites
Dr. Edward Garon’s Correlative Research Team will be expanding recruitment for its Solid Malignancy Tissue Bank to UCLA’s Satellite Sites. This will be a first step toward the upcoming expansion of the Tissue Bank to the TRIO- US Network. The Tissue Bank is a repository for tissue and bodily fluid specimens for use in future research to evaluate how cancer develops and how it responds to new therapies. Currently, the Bank allows for the collection of tissue from tumor biopsies (new biopsies are not performed specifically for the Tissue Bank), blood, saliva, urine, and stool for patients with solid malignancies who are receiving or may be eligible for targeted therapy or immunotherapy, or who may participate in clinical trials.