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When it comes to patient care, new drugs, new testing mechanisms, and targeted therapies for cancer patients, Ocala Oncology is leading the way in clinical trials.
Clinical research and trials are critical for implementing new oncology therapies, and for those patients that want to participate, Ocala Oncology makes their wish to join a study a reality with multiple ongoing trials within their three convenient locations. Bringing these trials here locally is critical for cancer patients seeking excellent, advanced care, and being innovative allows Ocala Oncology to be one of the top enrolling clinical trial sites for several trials in the United States and globally.
We caught up with Sanjit Nirmalanandhan, Ph.D., Research Lead at Ocala Oncology to find out more about the importance of these trials and how it benefits patients individually and as a whole across the country.
Dr. Nirmalanandhan explained, “We have a long history of running clinical trials. We have been the first to administer and study many drugs that are now widely used throughout the world for cancer treatment. Our studies include all phases of clinical trials I, II, III, and IV. We enrolled the first patients (globally) on a clinical trial for a new drug to treat ITP (Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura) and clinical trial for a melanoma vaccine.
Innovative Trials in the Comfort of Ocala
Oncology’s Office Locations
“When many people think about clinical trials, they envision massive research centers that are far away from where they receive treatment. Cancer patients are often very ill or may feel lethargic and find it challenging or impossible to travel to research sites frequently. At our local facilities, we have 10 providers including board certified MDs in Hematology and Oncology that actively participate in these trials and follow their patients, report on progress, and are deeply involved in the research and outcomes of the treatment provided. We also have five nurse practitioners, dedicated Research Department and staff that are also thoroughly involved in the trials. These studies help to improve the science needed and address new testing methods or new drugs.
Local Care with National Support
“We are also partnered with several large organizations that allow us to bring their targeted therapies directly to our patients. We have access to over 30 trials through Tempus’ and Caris PharmaTech’s Just-in-Time activation program. When patients have genetic mutations, next-generation sequencing allows our team to identify the mutations and provide these essential and targeted treatment options, which can be activated in our research site within less than two weeks. For difficult tumors and genetic mutations, these studies are incredibly important.
“We have three locations. Our main practice and research are in the Ocala office, and we also have locations in Timber Ridge and The Villages that allow patients the comfort of seeing physicians and participating in research locally.
“Currently, we have over 50 studies; however, this number is rapidly increasing as we constantly open more studies at our site when a patient is identified. These studies range from lung, breast, gastric solid tumors, unresectable or metastatic melanoma, prostate and targeted therapies to name a few.
Patients Will Always Receive Their Standard of Care First
“The most important thing for patients to understand is that clinical trials are not always a last case scenario attempt at treatment. Several clinical trials attempting to improve the current treatments by adding new drugs and therapeutics to the standard of care are also available to our patients. These trials allow new therapies to reach our patients more quickly while getting their current standard of care treatments.”
Ocala Oncology
Over the past 40 years, Florida Cancer Affiliates – Ocala Oncology has provided patients access to cutting-edge and innovative clinical trials in a comfortable and convenient setting. One of the largest and most reputable community-based research networks in the world, US Oncology Research has contributed to over 70 FDA-approved cancer therapies and approximately one-third of all FDA-approved oncology therapies. It also specializes in Phase I–IV oncology clinical trials and has participated in over 1,600 investigator-initiated and sponsor-initiated trials since its inception. The program brings innovative therapies and clinical trials to practices and patients in communities across the nation to help advance the science of cancer care while offering the best possible treatments and improved patient outcomes.
Ocala Oncology is proud of their participating role in the research and development of vital new cancer therapies through independent studies. This will allow a broader range of opportunities to offer their patients. Ocala oncology is dedicated to advancing cancer care by leading and participating in clinical trials that test the safety and efficiency of new or modified treatments.
And they are deeply committed to bringing clinical trials to their community, offering patients an opportunity to help shape the future of cancer treatment, while benefitting from the very latest in clinical trials. Florida Cancer Affiliates- Ocala Oncology is constantly offering eligible patients opportunities to join new trials.
At Florida Cancer Affiliates – Ocala Oncology, research is an integral part of their comprehensive efforts to provide cancer patients in the local community with access to the latest and most advanced therapies and treatment options.
To find out more, please visit floridacancer.com or call (352) 547-1954.
