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  “Our patients will have access to the most innovative and cutting-edge therapies available, and in so doing they will be making an important contribution to the global fight against cancer,” said MultiCare's Dr. John A. Keech Jr., left.

  Cancer Center qualifies to enhance, expand clinical trial program

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  The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) Oncology Research Program (ORP) has qualified seven sites from three of its member institutions (Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Fox Chase Cancer Center and University of Alabama at Birmingham) as part of its Affiliate Research Project (ARP).

  One of those qualified sites is the Tacoma-based, not-for-profit MultiCare Health System, an affiliate of the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, under the direction of Principal Investigator John A. Keech Jr., DO, FACOI, at the MultiCare Regional Cancer Center.

  “Our patients will have access to the most innovative and cutting-edge therapies available, and in so doing they will be making an important contribution to the global fight against cancer,” Dr. Keech said Friday. “MultiCare Regional Cancer Center’s qualified designation with the NCCN ARP significantly enhances and expands our already robust clinical trial access that is established with the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and the Northwest Community Clinical Oncology Program. Our new NCCN ARP designation affords us an opportunity to offer our patients opportunities to participate in research that previously have been available only at the original NCCN institutions, so that they can receive the highest quality of cancer care right here in the South Sound.”

  The NCCN ORP is organized to obtain funding to support scientifically meritorious research projects at NCCN Member Institutions. Policies and standards for the program were set by the NCCN Investigator Steering Committee, a group comprised of senior research physicians appointed by each NCCN Member Institution. To date, the NCCN ORP has received more than $36 million in research grants from pharmaceutical and biotech companies to support investigator- initiated trials including, but not limited to, evaluation of innovative regimens, mechanism of action, and exploration of extended uses for specific agents.

  Affiliate sites of the NCCN ORP will have access to new and innovative cancer drugs for their patients in collaboration with NCCN Member Institutions, and Principal Investigators of NCCN-funded studies will have access to NCCN-qualified community sites. The ARP is dedicated to improving patient outcomes and advancing clinical research through collaboration with NCCN, NCCN Member Institutions, and community-based affiliate networks.

  The NCCN ARP plans to approve a minimum of three additional sites this year to potentially support more than 50 actively enrolling ORP trials.

  About MultiCare Regional Cancer Center

  MultiCare Regional Cancer Center has four locations: Tacoma, Auburn, Gig Harbor and Puyallup. MultiCare offers many of the latest cancer treatment methods including surgical robotics, intensity-modulated radiation therapy, full-body stereotactic radiosurgery and image-guided radiation therapy. We also offer treatment with CyberKnife, the first and only robotic radiosurgery system designed to treat tumors anywhere in the body. With the comprehensive care provided at the MultiCare Regional Cancer Center, South Sound residents can take advantage of treatment options that offer reduced treatment times, fewer side effects and improved outcomes. The MultiCare Regional Cancer Center is a network affiliate of the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, offering patients access to the latest clinical trials, right here in the South Sound. To learn more about the MultiCare Regional Cancer Center, call 253-403-1167 or visit the MultiCare Regional Cancer Center website and we can help you choose the next step that's right for you.

  About Seattle Cancer Care Alliance

  Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) unites doctors from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, UW Medicine, and Seattle Children’s in one world-class treatment center. SCCA was incorporated in 1998 as a separate, jointly governed non-profit that includes the cancer programs of the three partners. Each partner has equal ownership of SCCA. Dr. Fred Appelbaum is the Executive Director of SCCA. SCCA's purpose is to provide state-of-the-art, patient and family centered care; support the conduct of cancer clinical research and education; enhance access to improved cancer interventions; and advance the standard of cancer care regionally and beyond.

  About the National Comprehensive Cancer Network

  The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®), a not-for-profit alliance of 21 of the world’s leading cancer centers, is dedicated to improving the quality and effectiveness of care provided to patients with cancer. Through the leadership and expertise of clinical professionals at NCCN Member Institutions, NCCN develops resources that present valuable information to the numerous stakeholders in the health care delivery system. As the arbiter of high-quality cancer care, NCCN promotes the importance of continuous quality improvement and recognizes the significance of creating clinical practice guidelines appropriate for use by patients, clinicians, and other health care decision-makers. The primary goal of all NCCN initiatives is to improve the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of oncology practice so patients can live better lives. Clinicians, visit NCCN.org. Patients and caregivers, visit NCCN.com.

  The NCCN Member Institutions are: City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA; Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center | Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA; Duke Cancer Institute, Durham, NC; Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA; Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT; Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center/Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Seattle, WA; The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL; Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY; Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL; The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, Columbus, OH; Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY; Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital/University of Tennessee Cancer Institute, Memphis, TN; Stanford Comprehensive Cancer Center, Stanford, CA; University of Alabama at Birmingham Comprehensive Cancer Center, Birmingham, AL; UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, CA; University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI; UNMC Eppley Cancer Center at The Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE; The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX; and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN.

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  MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington since 1882, MultiCare has grown over the years in response to community needs. Today we are the area's largest provider of health care services, serving patients more than 100 locations in Pierce, South King, Kitsap and Thurston counties.

  Posted on Jul 20, 2012 in Cancer