A Hoosier Cancer Research Network study, HCRN-LUN21-497, titled, “Results from a phase II study of GT103 in combination with pembrolizumab in refractory, metastatic non-small cell lung cancer,” was presented at SITC 2024 by Jeffrey Clarke, MD, of Duke University.

GT103 is a fully human IgG3 monoclonal antibody targeting complement factor H (CFH) and binds to a cryptic epitope of the protein promoting tumor cell death and anti-tumor immune response. This study is a phase I trial of GT103 monotherapy that has demonstrated the therapy to be well tolerated in advanced NSCLC patients. Preclinical data suggests combination with immune checkpoint therapy may improve antitumor activity.

The combination of GT103 and pembrolizumab was safe and well-tolerated. The combination did not meet prespecified criteria to proceed with stage 2 of the study, however 2 responses and disease control in 66% of patients were noted. Updated trial results were shown at time of presentation.

See abstract: https://jitc.bmj.com/content/12/Suppl_3/A1717

About Hoosier Cancer Research Network:
Hoosier Cancer Research Network conducts innovative cancer clinical trials in collaboration with more than 100 academic and community clinical research sites across the United States. Our studies are designed by cancer researchers from our member institutions. The HCRN staff includes 55 team members who work together to support all aspects of the studies we manage, from the time we receive the initial concept from a researcher through the final publication of the study results. Currently, we are supporting more than 70 clinical trials across a wide range of cancer types. Over our 40-year history, more than 10,000 participants in have enrolled in our clinical trials, leading to important discoveries that help cancer patients live longer and better after their cancer diagnosis.

HCRN-GI23-643, titled, “Randomized Trial of Regorafenib in Combination with Pembrolizumab or Pembrolizumab Monotherapy for Patients with MSI-H Colorectal Cancer,” will be presented as a Trials in Progress poster at the American Society of Clinical Oncology® (ASCO) Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium 2025 in San Francisco. This study is led by Ibrahim Sahin, MD, of UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.

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A correlative study related to the Hoosier Cancer Research Network (HCRN) clinical trial, HCRN-GU16-243, titled, “A Phase 1 Trial of Durvalumab in Combination with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) or External Beam Radiation Therapy in Patients with BCG-unresponsive Non-muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: The Hoosier Cancer Research Network GU16-243 ADAPT-BLADDER Study,” was presented at SUO 2024 by Noah Hahn, MD, of Johns Hopkins University Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center.  

This study is a multicenter phase 1 trial to evaluate the safety and preliminary efficacy of anti-PD-L1 directed therapy with durvalumab (D), durvalumab plus BCG (D + BCG), and durvalumab plus external beam radiation therapy (D + EBRT).

This study treated twenty-eight patients in the D (n = 3), D + BCG (n = 13), and D + EBRT (n = 12) cohorts. Full-dose D, full-dose BCG, and 6 Gy fractions × 3 were determined as the RP2Ds. One patient (4%) experienced a grade 3 dose limiting toxicity event of autoimmune hepatitis. The 3-mo CR occurred in 64% of all patients and in 33%, 85%, and 50% within the D, D + BCG, and D + EBRT cohorts, respectively. Twelve-month CRs were achieved in 46% of all patients and in 73% of D + BCG and 33% of D + EBRT patients.

See abstract: https://suo-abstracts.secure-platform.com/a/gallery/rounds/21/details/3788

Read more about this study on UroToday.

About Hoosier Cancer Research Network:
Hoosier Cancer Research Network conducts innovative cancer clinical trials in collaboration with more than 100 academic and community clinical research sites across the United States. Our studies are designed by cancer researchers from our member institutions. The HCRN staff includes 55 team members who work together to support all aspects of the studies we manage, from the time we receive the initial concept from a researcher through the final publication of the study results. Currently, we are supporting more than 70 clinical trials across a wide range of cancer types. Over our 40-year history, more than 10,000 participants in have enrolled in our clinical trials, leading to important discoveries that help cancer patients live longer and better after their cancer diagnosis.

A Hoosier Cancer Research Network (HCRN) study, HCRN-LUN18-335, led by Xiuning Le, MD, PhD, of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, was published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology on October 8, 2024. The article is titled, “A Multicenter Open-Label Randomized Phase II Study of Osimertinib With and Without Ramucirumab in Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor–Naïve EGFR-Mutant Metastatic Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer (RAMOSE trial).” Congratulations to all co-authors and study teams whose hard work led to this publication!

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Hoosier Cancer Research Network (HCRN) is currently seeking a full-time clinical research monitor. Bachelor’s degree in life sciences or a related field, minimum of two years’ experience in clinical research (oncology preferred), familiarity with GCP, HIPAA, medical terminology, electronic medical records, and research compliance required. 

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Hoosier Cancer Research Network congratulates Rita Assi, MD, on her election as the President-Elect of the Indiana Oncology Society 2024-2026 Board of Directors. Dr. Assi is a board member of HCRN and is assistant professor of clinical medicine at the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center.

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Hoosier Cancer Research Network (HCRN) recently joined two of our visionary founders, Patrick J. Loehrer, MD, and William B. Fisher, MD, as they shared stories spanning their 40 years of partnership through HCRN, formerly known as Hoosier Oncology Group, or affectionately, the “HOG.”

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A Hoosier Cancer Research Network trial, HCRN-LUN18-357, titled “P1.08D.03 Induction Durvalumab Followed by Chemoradiation and Consolidation Durvalumab for Stage III Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)” has been accepted as a poster presentation and will be presented at the World Conference on Lung Cancer Meeting on September 8, 2024 from 12:00 pm-2:00 pm.

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Hoosier Cancer Research Network is happy to celebrate the research accomplishments of our members over the past year. Congratulations to all researchers and study teams whose hard work produced 23 journal manuscripts and meeting abstracts between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024!

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A Hoosier Cancer Research Network trial, HCRN-GU22-587, titled, “Advanced Renel Cell Cancer Combination Immunotherapy Clinical Trial,” was presented this week at the Kidney Cancer Research Summit (KCRS). Michael Serzan, MD (pictured right), of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, presented the study as a trial in progress.

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Hoosier Cancer Research Network (HCRN) is proud to share that an article written by former HCRN team members, Tim Breen and Adelai Neal, titled, “The Endpoints Dataset: A Quality Control Method for Review and Analysis of Critical Efficacy Endpoints Data,” has been published in the Spring Issue 2024 of the Journal of the Society for Clinical Data Management (JSCDM).

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Brian Stemme, Hoosier Cancer Research Network’s (HCRN) chief executive officer, was recently featured on Pathfinder, a Purdue Life Sciences podcast with Dr. Thomas G. Sors from Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology and Infectious Disease (PI4D). Stemme shared insights on his career journey, why Indiana is a top spot for life sciences and HCRN’s impactful work.

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Hoosier Cancer Research Network congratulates Dr. Robin Zon on assuming her new role as president of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Dr. Zon served as HCRN’s vice chair from 2006-2009, and as chief community officer from 2009-2010.  

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Chief Executive Officer of Hoosier Cancer Research Network, Brian Stemme, authored an article on Inside Indiana Business titled, “Belief-driven employees seek organizations that make a difference,” published May 24, 2024.  

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Hoosier Cancer Research Network is excited to share that Reps for Research 2024 has raised $3,060, bringing our 7-year cumulative total to more than $26,000.

Reps for Research took place on March 3, 2024, as fundraiser for Hoosier Cancer Research Network (HCRN) led by Christopher A. Fausel, chairman of HCRN’s board of directors and oncology precision genomics pharmacist at the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center. The event included Fausel’s participation in the Arnold Sports Festival Pump & Run 5K in Columbus, Ohio.

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Co-chairs of the HCRN Lymphoma Working Group, Jonathan B. Cohen, MD, Natalie Galanina, MD, and Natalie Grover, MD, were driven by science and the influence of strong mentors early in their careers. It’s also why lymphoma is a focus of their work as they see great opportunities to make an impact through the WG collaboration.

Dr. Cohen is associate professor in the Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, and co-director of the Lymphoma Program at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University; Dr. Galanina, is associate professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center; and Dr. Grover is associate professor of medicine, clinical director, Cellular Therapy Program, and leader, Cell Therapy POD at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. Read More

Hoosier Cancer Research Network is excited to announce that Reps for Research is returning March 3, 2024, after a three-year hiatus.

Reps for Research is a fundraiser for Hoosier Cancer Research Network (HCRN) that is led by Christopher A. Fausel, chairman of HCRN’s board of directors and oncology precision genomics pharmacist at the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center. The event includes Fausel’s participation in the Arnold Sports Festival Pump & Run 5K in Columbus, Ohio.

Fausel invites pledges in support of HCRN for every bench press “rep” he completes during the event, with a maximum of 30 “reps.” Donations received will directly support investigator-initiated research, which is central to HCRN’s vision and mission.

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A new Hoosier Cancer Research Network clinical trial studying Merkel cell carcinoma is currently recruiting subjects.

The trial, A Single Arm Phase II Study with Safety Run-in of Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT) in Combination with Immunotherapy for Patients with Merkel Cell Cancer (HCRN-MCC20-443; iPRRT Study), is led by Pashtoon Kasi, MD, MS, of Cornell University and is currently recruiting subjects at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center.

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2023 marked the establishment of a new Sarcoma Clinical Trial Working Group for HCRN. The group brings together some of the sharpest minds in cancer research who are focused on one of the rarest types of cancer.

The working group is led by (pictured from left) Atrayee Basu-Mallick, MD, interim director, Solid Tumor Division, and associate professor at Thomas Jefferson University; Mark Agulnik, MD, professor and section chief of sarcoma medical oncology in the Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research at City of Hope; and Kristen Ganjoo, MD, professor of medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine and the director of Stanford Sarcoma Program. The co-chairs are united in their goal of connecting sarcoma researchers who share a common purpose of finding more treatments for this challenging cancer.

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