Pancreatic Cancer Trial in Georgia Sponsored by Georgia CORE in Atlanta

4/02/2012

Atlanta Business Chronicle. March 23-29, 2012. Georgia is the site of a clinical trial for patients with previously untreated late-stage pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic Cancer remains the fourth-leading cause of cancer death in the United States with few proven therapeutic options. Clinical trials can help determine the tested drug's efficacy and safety, and may lead to eventual approval of the agent by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Trial participants will receive the standard chemotherapy used to treat pancreatic cancer and some will receive the chemotherapy in combination with a novel monoclonal antibody called bavituximab. In prior clinical studies with other cancers, bavituximab in combination with chemotherapy has demonstrated promising tumor response and survival for cancer patients when compared to separate studies using chemotherapy alone, noted Dr. Andrew Pippas, principal investigator for the five trial sites in Georgia. In Atlanta, the trial is being offered by Georgia CORE - the Center for Oncology Research and Education. Trial sites in Georgia are the John B. Amos Cancer Center in Columbus; DeKalb Medical in Decaatur; Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville; Suburban Hematology Oncology Associates in Lawrenceville; and Saint Joseph's/Candler Hospital in Savannah.