The Cancer Center at Saint Barnabas Medical Center is pleased to announce that through its partnership with Translational Research In Oncology, United States (TRIO-US, Inc.), it has enrolled the very first patient in an international clinical trial evaluating a new treatment option for patients with early stage breast cancer.
As a commitment to deliver expert quality care, Saint Barnabas Medical Center is the first site to identify and enroll a patient in NATALEE (New Adjuvant TriAl with LEE), a randomized, phase III clinical trial of ribociclib and endocrine therapy in the adjuvant treatment of hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative (HR+/HER2-) early stage breast cancer. The NATALEE trial is a collaboration between Novartis and TRIO.
Ribociclib was developed by the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR) under a research collaboration with Astex Pharmaceuticals. It is a CDK4/6 inhibitor that is approved in combination with endocrine therapy for the treatment of HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer in more than 70 countries around the world, including the United States, Canada and Europe.
“Clinical research is imperative to the future of drug development and the improvement of clinical outcomes for our patients. The treatment of breast cancer is continually evolving and we owe it to our mothers and daughters to identify new and improved treatment options,” says Anya Litvak, MD, medical oncologist at Saint Barnabas Medical Center, whose primary focus is breast cancer. On The Cancer Center at Saint Barnabas Medical Center being the first site; Dr. Litvak says, “I am excited and proud that the oncologists, breast surgeons, radiation oncologists, and research team continue to offer the most advanced therapies by partnering together in a multidisciplinary way to provide the best possible outcomes for our patients.”
More than 4,000 patients are expected to enroll in this clinical trial which will be ongoing for the next several years, with hundreds of sites in the United States and internationally, under management by the global TRIO entity.
According to The American Cancer Society, an estimated 42,260 patients will be faced with a breast cancer diagnosis in 2019, more than 8,000 in New Jersey alone. Saint Barnabas Medical Center continues to be the place in New Jersey where patients choose to come for their breast health.
“We set the highest standard in quality and safety and continue to innovate what we offer our breast cancer patients,” states Stephen P. Zieniewicz, FACHE, President and Chief Executive Officer, Saint Barnabas Medical Center. “Whether it is through our early detection programs, clinical trials or the latest radiation therapy technology, we are always looking for ways to enhance the patient experience,” he continued.
For patients that are interested in learning more, or to schedule a consult, call 973.322.2929 to speak with a patient navigator at Saint Barnabas Medical Center.
Partnerships
RWJBarnabas Health and Saint Barnabas Medical Center in partnership with Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey - the state's only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center - brings a world class team of researchers and specialists to fight alongside you, providing close-to-home access to the latest treatment and clinical trials.