New Society Creates Impact

Cancer clinical trial network underway

An initiative by the WVU Cancer Center and the West Virginia Oncology Society (WVOS) that would bring new and advanced drug treatment opportunities to cancer patients within their communities is moving closer to reality.

Oncologists around the state are partnering with WVU and WVOS under the leadership of James Frame, MD, of Charleston Area Medical Center to build a statewide cancer clinical trial network and have taken a major step toward formally organizing the network. The group has hired a consultant to develop a concrete business plan and has agreed to form a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

As a result of the collaborative network cancer patients wouldn't have to leave West Virginia to get state-of-the-art cancer treatment. They will be able to get the care they need in the communities where they live.

"Many rural states are finding this is the only way they can attract new and exciting treatments to their community," said Jame Abraham, MD, medical director of the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center, who led WVU's effort to establish the network. "We recognize we need to work together."

The business plan for the new network will be completed by late fall 2011 followed by the legal work necessary to form the new organization. It is anticipated that the initial implementation of the project will cost $1 million to $1.5 million. According to Dr. Abraham, the Bonnie Wells Wilson Distinguished Professor and Eminent Scholar in Breast Cancer Research, “The economic impact of keeping patients in the state to offer new treatment and bringing new clinical trials to the state will be huge. The same treatment which is available in Boston or New York will be available in our communities.” The group is planning to collaborate with the WVU School of Business and Economics to document the economic benefits that the proposed network will have on West Virginia.

Meanwhile, WVU's Cancer Center continues to work with Schiffler Cancer Center of Wheeling Hospital, United Hospital Center in Clarksburg, WVU Hospitals-East City Hospital in Martinsburg, Primary Oncology Network in Fairmont and Charleston Area Medical Center. WVU’s Cancer Center is also exploring the possibility of working with Beckley Oncology Associates, Camden Clark, and others. Once the formation of the West Virginia Oncology Clinical Trial Network is complete most of the cancer programs in the state have agreed to join the network and work toward the mutual goal of ensuring that all West Virginians have access to the latest and best cancer clinical trials available.