We live in an exciting time for cancer care. Due to many advances in medical and biotechnology sciences, and recent breakthroughs in understanding the human genetic code, there are more novel anti-cancer drugs in development today than ever before.
The role of the community oncologist is critical in testing and rapidly bringing these advances to patients. However, most community practices do not have the scale or resources to build an active research program.
Through Texas Oncology, patients can take part in exciting new clinical trials and novel therapies—right in their own communities. Texas Oncology is a primary participant in the nationwide US Oncology Research Network, made up of 170 research locations with an experienced staff of more than 300 dedicated research professionals.
Through this highly efficient organization, new drugs and therapies are sped from the research lab into the real world, reaching patients as quickly as possible. Eleven anticancer drugs have received FDA approval, largely due to the work of the US Oncology research program.
As the largest practice that contributes to this vast research community, Texas Oncology has played a key role in the accrual of over 16,000 cancer patients participating in clinical trials. Over 90 trials are currently being conducted involving chemotherapy, immunotherapy, stem cell transplantation and gene therapy.
Access to this extensive network of research and clinical trials gives cancer patients across Texas and New Mexico the added advantage of cutting-edge expertise and treatments that may shrink their tumors or alleviate their symptoms.