MedStar Clinical Research Team First in the World to Enroll Lung Cancer Participant

Hyattsville, MD (January 16, 2018) — Researchers at the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Cancer Institute at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center have again enrolled the first patient in the world in a Phase III study of treatment for non-small cell lung cancer.

“We were able to enroll the first patient due to the wonderful cooperation of the whole research team – contracts, regulatory, pathology, physicians, research coordinators and pharmacists – it was the efforts of all of these people that made it happen, “ said Suman Rao, MD, lead investigator for this study and director of Thoracic Oncology at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center.

Estimated enrollment for “Phase III Randomized, Double-Blind Study of Pembrolizumab plus Epacadostat vs Pembrolizumab plus placebo as First-line Treatment in Patients with Metastatic NSCLC expressing high levels of PDL1” (NCT03322540) is more than 580 patients from around the world. This study will track patient outcomes through progression-free survival and overall survival rates at over 160 locations. This study is sponsored by Incyte Corporation and Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.

 “Special recognition goes to Jean Flack for her commitment to this study. She went the extra length and her persistence was what resulted in making this milestone,” said Dr. Rao.

The clinical trials program at The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Cancer Institute is one of the largest in the state. The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Cancer Institute is known for its use of advanced treatment options. State-of-the-art technologies for surgery and radiation therapy are designed to minimize adverse side effects, promote faster healing, and bring about remission rates.

The Weinberg Cancer Institute was also the first in the world to enroll a patient in another Phase III study, “A Randomized, Double-Blind, Phase III Study of Carboplatin-Paclitaxel/Nab-Paclitaxel Chemotherapy With or Without Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) in First Line Metastatic Squamous Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Subjects (KEYNOTE-407)” (NCT02775435) in 2016.

About MedStar Health Research Institute
The MedStar Health Research Institute is the research arm of MedStar Health, the largest healthcare provider in Maryland and the Washington, D.C., region. MHRI provides scientific, administrative and regulatory support for research programs throughout the MedStar Health system. MHRI’s expertise includes translational research into disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. These programs complement the key clinical services and teaching programs in the 10 MedStar hospitals and other MedStar entities. For more information, visit www.MedStarResearch.org.