Five years ago Elkhart General joined with other Michiana hospitals to create the Northern Indiana Cancer Research Consortium (NICRC) and establish Indiana’s first Community Clinical Oncology Program, thus giving local cancer patients an opportunity to participate in clinical trials. These trials provided access to investigational drugs through the National Cancer Institute that previously had been available only by traveling to Mayo Clinic, MD Anderson, the University of Chicago and other national centers. 

 

Clinical trials result in treatments that help to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer. They help determine whether a new treatment is safe, effective, and comparatively better than existing standard treatments. Most Elkhart patients participate in “Phase III” treatment trials—the final test of a drug’s effectiveness before it is approved for general use.

 

Participation by local patients helped win FDA approval for Avastin, a new drug which treats cancer of the colon and rectum. Another trial helped prove the effectiveness of directly bathing organs affected by ovarian cancer with therapeutic drugs rather than administering drugs through conventional intravenous (IV) therapy. Additionally, Elkhart General helped complete enrollment of patients in two national clinical trials involving breast cancer prevention (STAR) and prostate cancer prevention (SELECT). 

 

Currently, 41 of our patients are enrolled in clinical trials that include promising treatments for lymphoma as well as breast, colon, lung, and ovarian cancer. Elkhart General is the only member of the NICRC accredited to do Mammosite, a form of partial breast irradiation. Other member hospitals include Lakeland Regional Health System, LaPorte Hospital and Health Services, Memorial Hospital and Health System, St. Joseph Regional Medical Center and Affiliate Member Howard Regional Health System.

 

Pam Steele, RN, (left) is a full time Research Nurse at Elkhart General and Rita Andresen (right) is a part time Data Assistant. They are responsible for screening patients for a trial and, if appropriate, enrolling them on the study.  The treatment and reactions of the patients are meticulously recorded for research purposes. For more information on the Consortium and clinical trials, contact Pam Steele at (574) 523-6536.

DISCLAIMER: Information presented through this medium (i.e., the Elkhart General Healthcare System Web Site) is provided for general information only and should not be construed as medical advice or instruction. For diagnosis of specific illnesses and disorders, consult the appropriate healthcare professionals.