Holy Cross Health Study Site for Advanced Lung Cancer Patients

Holy Cross Health is participating in a trial study for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). NSCLC accounts for approximately 83 percent of all lung cancer.

Patients with advanced NSCLC who experienced disease progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy and checkpoint inhibitor therapy (CIT) are eligible for the Phase 3 SAPPHIRE study, which is done in collaboration with Mirati Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage oncology company. 

Researchers will evaluate the immune-oncology agent sitravatinib in combination with nivolumab (OPDIVO^®), an anti-PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor, versus the anti-cancer chemotherapy drug docetaxel. The combination of sitravatinib with nivolumab is a rational approach to restoring or enhancing the clinical activity of CIT in patients with immunotherapy resistant NSCLC.

“Most patients with advanced NSCLC face very difficult treatment decisions. Effective treatment options are needed to improve the long-term survival in this patient population,” said Paul Papagni, Executive Director of Research at Holy Cross Health. “Through participation in trial studies such as this one, we continue to expand our efforts in offering innovative research studies to ensure the best possible long-term outcomes for patients in our community.”

The Michael & Dianne Bienes Comprehensive Cancer Center at Holy Cross Health offers disease-specific care in all oncology sub-specialties including medical, surgical and radiation oncology. The Cancer Center also offers research trials that span from early drug development through the later Phase 4 stages for multiple types of cancer. For more information, call the research office at 954-267-7750 or visit www.holycrosscancer.com.