Investigators affiliated with the US Oncology Research Network are independent community-based oncologists who bring their past academic research experience to local communities across the country. The Network includes thought leaders in specific tumor types including Drs. Daniel Von Hoff, Allen Cohn, Carlos Becerra and Donald Richards who specialize in pancreatic, GI tract and other rare tumor types; Dr. Nicholas Vogelzang who specializes in bladder, kidney and other genitourinary tumors; Dr. Stephen Jones, who specializes in rare breast cancer tumor types; Dr. Lawrence Garbo who specializes in lung, GI, breast, gioblastoma and other rare tumors best treated in Phase I studies; Dr. David Smith who specializes in lung and hematology; Dr. Paul Conkling, who specializes in lung and GI; Dr. Joe Stephenson who specializes in various phase I work with various tumor types, and dozens of others.

Physicians involved in Phase I trials work in:

Albany, N.Y. at New York Oncology Hematology P.C.Austin, Dallas, and Tyler, Texas at Texas Oncology; Denver at Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers; Greenville, S.C. at Institute of Translational Oncology Research; Indianapolis, Ind. at Central Indiana Cancer Centers; Las Vegas, Nev. at Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada; Norfolk, Va. at Virginia Oncology Associates; Springfield, Ore. at Willamette Valley Cancer Institute and Research Center; Vancouver, Wash. at Northwest Cancer Specialists; and Yakima, Wash. at North Star Lodge Cancer Center.

Each site has dedicated Phase I specially trained certified research nurses (CRN) and pharmacists (CRP). All nurses must be Registered Nurse (RN) trained. Each site features all necessary equipment to conduct specialized Phase I trials. The nationwide TOP committee conducts weekly meetings to discuss new findings, dosing, safety concerns and other areas of interest and concern to keep patients safe and to find leads for efficacy that can move the trial to Phase II.

In 2005, when US Oncology's TOP program began, 26 patients were enrolled in Phase I trials across the country. The following year, 124 patients were enrolled in Phase I trials and the number has continued to grow. A record number of 260 patients are expected to be enrolled in Phase I trials through the US Oncology Research Network in 2010.

SOURCE US Oncology, Inc.