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New Cancer Clinical Trials

Many Phase I and II Trials Available at UVA

The University of Virginia Cancer Center offers several Phase I (evaluating safety, side effects and dosing levels) and Phase II (evaluating effectiveness) clinical trials. “Our goal is that no Virginian should have to leave the commonwealth to enroll in a clinical trial,” says Paula Fracasso, M.D., Ph.D., Deputy Director of the Cancer Center. Significant UVA physician involvement in opening clinical trials also means patients have access to the most recent translational research available without leaving Virginia.

Available trials include:

Cervical carcinoma: This Phase I/II trial is examining cetuximab (Erbitux®) in combination with cisplatin and radiation for women with locally advanced cervical carcinomas. Cetuximab inhibits the epidermal growth factor receptor, a protein found in a majority of cervical cancers that promotes cancer cell growth. Women must be newly diagnosed with an advanced cervical carcinoma and not had any previous chemotherapy or radiotherapy to the abdomen or pelvis. Principal investigators: Linda R. Duska, M.D., and Paula M. Fracasso, M.D., Ph.D.

Lung cancer: This Phase I trial is examining a combination of bortezomib (Velcade®) and vorinostat (Zolinza®) for patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer. The combination of bortezomib, a proteosome inhibitor, and vorinostat, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, inhibit cell growth and have shown promise in the laboratory of David Jones, M.D. In this trial, patients receive three weekly treatments before the surgical resection of their cancer. Patients must have non-small cell lung cancer and be scheduled to undergo surgery. Principal investigator: David Jones, M.D.

Advanced melanoma: This Phase II trial is examining the combination of temsirolimus (Torisel®) and bevacizumab (Avastin®) for patients with advanced melanomas. Temsirolimus inhibits melanoma growth and bevacizumab inhibits blood vessel development. The laboratory of Craig Slingluff, M.D., has found that many melanomas depend upon blood vessel formation, and this is inhibited by bevacizumab. Patients must have measurable metastatic disease as well as superficial disease (such as skin or superficial nodal metastases) that are amenable to three biopsies. Principal investigator: Craig Slingluff, M.D.

To refer a patient to these clinical trials, call UVA Physician Direct at 800.552.3723.