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VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center placed its reputation as an international leader for cutting-edge cancer care and clinical research on display at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago on May 31 - June 4.

The clinical oncology conference brought together more than 40,000 attendees both in person and online, and is labeled as “the most significant gathering of oncology professionals worldwide, making connections and forging collaborations to change the landscape of cancer care,” according to the organization’s website.

Approximately 20 members of the Massey team, including three community advocates, were onsite throughout the meeting to represent the center through panel discussions, poster presentations and networking opportunities.

Massey director honored with national visionary leader award

 

On June 1, 2024, Massey director Robert A. Winn, M.D., received the ASCO Allen Lichter Visionary Leader Award.

ASCO honored Winn for his work leading the nation in establishing a 21st-century model of equity for cancer science and care, in which the community is informing and partnering with Massey on its research to best address the cancer burden and disparities of those the cancer center serves, with a local focus but global impact.

“The latest discoveries mean very little when only a few people have access to them,” said Winn, who is also the Lipman Chair in Oncology at Massey. “Disparities are created when what’s happening in the lab is not translated into what’s happening in communities and how we can best reach the individuals living in them.”

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Winn participates in fireside chat on state of DEI at cancer centers

Winn participated in a fireside chat with Lori J. Pierce, M.D., of the University of Michigan, during ASCO's Equity, Diversity and Inclusion breakfast on Sunday morning. They spoke about the current state of DEI at cancer centers around the world and where it is headed.

“Once upon a time, [cancer centers] were in the low B’s, but now the grade has slipped to a firm C. I’m nervous that it could slip to a D with the challenges we face, but I remain optimistic that like any good student, we can get the grade up," Winn said.

Massey holds networking reception with Winn Awards scholars

On Sunday evening, Massey hosted a networking reception in partnership with the Robert A. Winn Diversity in Clinical Trials Award Program in support of the next generation of world-class professionals who are advancing diversity in clinical trials. Dozens of representatives from Massey and Winn Awards scholars were in attendance.

Nearly 75 medical students who are underrepresented in medicine and/or from disadvantaged backgrounds have been selected for the third cohort of the Robert A. Winn Diversity in Clinical Trials: Clinical Investigator Pathway Program (Winn CIPP). With an aim of creating career pathways into clinical research, this unique program trains medical students in a six‐week summer externship to provide intensive hands‐on clinical research experience, networking, and mentorship.

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Massey community advocate participates in panel discussion

Sharon Rivera-Sanchez, a Massey community advocate and founder of the organization Trials of Color, participated in a panel discussion at the conference, in which she talked about diversity in clinical trials and enhancing patient participation. Rivera-Sanchez explained critical barriers affecting minority participation in clinical trials, as well as potential solutions. She also shared her personal experiences joining three clinical trials since her previous cancer diagnosis and how Trials of Color is working to increase diversity enrollment for clinical trials.

“Humanity should come first and humans should never be judged by zip code or the color of their skin,” Rivera-Sanchez said, urging researchers and clinicians to be inclusive of all communities in order to effectively build trust-based relationships.

Massey fellow examines efficacy of different treatments in head and neck cancer

The prognosis for patients with recurrent or advanced head and neck cancer is generally poor, supporting the need for further research investigating the most effective treatment options. Massey postdoctoral fellow Zahra Hamedi, M.D., presented study findings comparing the efficacy of multiple treatment regimens for head and neck tumors.

"Real-world data from U.S. patients confirms superiority of pembrolizumab-based therapy over cetuximab in this disease," Hamedi said.

Massey collaborators on this research include Erin Alesi, M.D., Jonathan Berkman, M.D., and Andrea Lo, M.D.

Insurance status may predict survival outcomes in lung cancer

Access to care and early detection is especially important in patients with small cell lung cancer and advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Andrea Lo, M.D., of the VCU Department of Internal Medicine presented her study findings examining how insurance status affects patient access to lung cancer care.

"Insurance plays a significant role in survival outcomes in patients with aggressive forms of lung cancer," Lo said.

Massey collaborators on this research include Erin Alesi, M.D., Jonathan Berkman, M.D., and Zahra Hamedi, M.D.

Combination therapy improves survival in cervical cancer patients

Luis Manso, M.D., Ph.D., highlighted clinical trial findings that show significant improvement in overall survival for cervical cancer patients on a combination therapy compared to chemotherapy. Massey was a participating site, enrolling patients on this trial.

Massey part of national trial-in-progress investigating effective doses for head and neck cancer treatment

Malcolm Mattes, M.D., a radiation oncologist with the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, presented an abstract for a trial-in-progress seeking to determine the most effective doses of an AKT inhibitor in combination with chemoradiation in head and neck cancer. Massey is a participating site enrolling patients on this trial, with Erin Alesi, M.D., serving as the clinical lead investigator for the cancer center. 

Novel combination treatment regimen is feasible in lung cancer patients

Data from a clinical trial funded by Candel Therapeutics was on display at this year's conference.

The trial findings, titled "Overall survival after treatment with CAN-2409 plus valacyclovir in combination with continued ICI in patients with stage III/IV NSCLC with an inadequate response to ICI," demonstrated that a novel combination therapy in non-small cell lung cancer is feasible and well tolerated by patients.

Massey is a participating site enrolling patients on the trial, and Erin Alesi, M.D., is the lead clinical investigator at the cancer center.

Massey participates in global clinical trial testing combination treatment for myelofibrosis

A representative with Karyopharm Therapeutics showcased a global clinical trial testing the efficacy of a combination treatment in myelofibrosis. Massey is a participating site enrolling patients on the trial, with Keri Maher, D.O., serving as the clinical lead at the cancer center.

Massey research abstracts published by ASCO

Several Massey clinician-scientists also had their research abstracts published online by ASCO during the annual meeting:

• A propensity score-matched comparison of cytoreductive strategies in patients with acute myeloid leukemia presenting with hyperleukocytosis
  • First author: George Avetian, M.D.
  • VCU collaborators: Thuy Ho, M.D., Hyun Lee, M.D., Keri Maher, D.O.
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• Assessing ChatGPT’s potential as a clinical resource for medical oncologists: An evaluation with board-style questions and real-world patient cases
  • First author: Hyun Lee, M.D.
  • VCU collaborators: Uzma Athar, MBBS, Peter Daniels, Zahra Hamedi, M.D., Sejal Kothadia, M.D., Hui Lin, M.D., David Oliver, D.O., and Hiba Zainab Vohra
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• Outcome of prostate cancer with CNS metastasis: An analysis of SEER database (2010-2020)
  • First author: Hyun Lee, M.D.
  • VCU collaborators: Bohdan Baralo, M.D, Asit Paul, M.D., and Andrew Poklepovic, M.D.
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• Rural palliative care in cancer: Using telemedicine to bridge the gap
  • First author: Danielle Noreika, M.D.
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• The structure of academic cancer service lines: Results of an Association of American Cancer Institutes’ survey
  • First author: Paula Fracasso, M.D., Ph.D., FACP
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Written by: Blake Belden and Amy Lacey