#United States #Plymouth Meeting #Taiho Oncology #NCCN Oncology #Gastrointestinal Cancer

New Research Grants to Combat Gastrointestinal Cancers

In an important step forward for the fight against gastrointestinal cancers, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) has announced new funding through its Oncology Research Program (ORP). This initiative aims to enhance clinical research focused on improving treatment outcomes for patients grappling with cancers that affect the gastrointestinal tract, specifically colorectal and gastric cancers.

Gastrointestinal cancers are a significant health challenge worldwide. They represent some of the most prevalent malignancies, with colorectal and gastric cancers ranking among the top forms of cancer diagnosed globally. Despite advancements in treatment strategies over the years, patients diagnosed with advanced stages of these diseases often face a grim prognosis and limited therapeutic options. The introduction of these research grants is a crucial endeavor to address these unmet medical needs, allowing for innovative approaches to cancer treatment.

This new funding opportunity is made possible by a generous research grant from Taiho Oncology, Inc. Their commitment to advancing cancer treatment aligns closely with the NCCN's mission to enhance patient care through research, education, and improved access to high-quality care.

Dr. Crystal S. Denlinger, the CEO of NCCN, emphasized the importance of innovation in cancer therapeutics. She stated, "Innovative research is essential for driving progress in cancer care. We are proud to support these investigators as they explore new ways to potentially improve outcomes for patients with gastrointestinal cancers. These grants will enable the exploration of novel strategies and combinations that could lead to more effective options in the future."

The awards have been granted to expert researchers and their projects include particularly promising studies:

1. Dr. Madison Conces from the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center/University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center, who will lead a Phase II trial investigating the combination of Trifluridine/Tipiracil alongside oxaliplatin for patients with advanced or metastatic biliary tract cancer following first-line therapy.

2. Dr. Christos Fountzilas of the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center will explore the use of TAS-102 in combination with the inhibition of Poly (ADP) Ribose Polymerase (PARP) as part of a maintenance treatment strategy for patients suffering from advanced TP53 mutant pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

3. Dr. Chengwei Peng of the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center at Northwestern University is set to conduct a Phase I dose escalation trial of Futibatinib combined with Paclitaxel/Ramucirumab for patients with second-line gastroesophageal cancer.

The projects were selected after a rigorous peer review process conducted by a committee of leading oncologists from NCCN member institutions. These selected research endeavors are expected to yield significant data within the next two years, which will be crucial for shaping future clinical practices and improving patient care in the realm of gastrointestinal cancers.

Tehseen Salimi, Senior Vice President at Taiho Oncology, remarked on the importance of external research collaboration; he noted, "External research is so important to generate additional data and improve care for patients with gastrointestinal cancers. At Taiho, we strive to improve the lives of patients with cancer, their families, and their caregivers. We are pleased to support the NCCN Oncology Research Program in their important mission to foster innovation and knowledge discovery that improve the lives of patients with cancer."

The NCCN ORP not only supports innovative research but also aims to facilitate collaboration within cancer research, sharing resources, and providing points to consider for best practices across biorepositories, registries, and databases. The NCCN ORP exemplifies the ongoing commitment to advance oncology research through funding, collaborative projects, and data sharing initiatives.

Conclusion

In summary, these new research grants represent a promising advancement in the quest to understand and combat gastrointestinal cancers more effectively. The NCCN and Taiho Oncology's partnership underscores the importance of collaboration in cancer research, aimed at ultimately improving the therapeutic landscape for patients affected by these challenging diseases. For more detailed information on the NCCN Oncology Research Program, visit NCCN.org/orp.