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Research & Clinical Trials

Discoveries made in the basic scientific research laboratories translate into treatments available to patients through the conduct of research studies or clinical trials. Cancer treatments available to patients today are derived directly from the willingness of patients to participate in clinical trials. Goals of clinical trials include testing of the safety and efficacy of new drugs; evaluation of newly developed methods, and regimens of treatment and new approaches to the use of existing treatments.

The Alvin & Lois Lapidus Cancer Institute at LifeBridge Health's mission is to provide patients with access to advanced treatment options in the community setting.  We conduct clinical trials for prevention and treatment of various cancers including breast, lung, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, melanoma and hematologic diseases.  Additionally, we participate in supportive care studies for treatment of conditions associated with cancer and cancer treatments, such as anemia, mucositis and cachexia (a weak emaciated condition often caused by cancer), that greatly affect patients' quality of life. Clinical trials offered at the Alvin & Lois Lapidus Cancer Institute are sponsored by various pharmaceutical companies and national institutions such as the National Cancer Institute, or initiated by the Sinai Hospital physicians. 

The Alvin & Lois Lapidus Cancer Institute is a member of the following national cooperative groups: Southwest Oncology Group, Radiation Therapy Oncology Group, Clinical Trials Support Unit, and American College of Surgeons Oncology Group. We work in close collaboration with the other departments of Sinai Hospital; and our investigative team includes renowned experts in hematology and medical oncology, gynecologic oncology, surgical oncology, orthopedic oncology, and radiation oncology. Dedicated clinical research staff provide investigators with the resources they need to conduct clinical research.

Clinical Trials

Breast Cancer

BO 20289 BEATRICE

: An International Multi-Centre Open -Label 2- Arm Phase III Trial of Adjuvant Bevacizumab in Triple Negative Breast Cancer.   PI: Cristina Truica, MD

The TAILORx Trial (PACCT-1)

: Program for the Assessment of Clinical Cancer Tests (PACCT-1): Trial Assigning Individualized Options for Treatment. PI: Cristina Truica, MD

SWOG 0221

: Phase III Trial of Continuous Schedule AC + G Vs. Q 2 Week Schedule AC, Followed by Paclitaxel Given Either Every 2 Weeks or Weekly for 12 Weeks as Post-Operative Adjuvant Therapy in Node-Positive or High- Risk Node Negative Breast Cancer. PI: Cristina Truica, MD

SWOG 0307

: Phase III Trial of Bisphosphonates as Adjuvant Therapy for Primary Breast Cancer. PI: Cristina Truica, MD

NSABP B-42

: A Clinical Trial to Determine the Efficacy of Five Years of Letrozole Compared to Placebo in Patients Completing Five Years of Hormonal Therapy Consisting of an Aromatase Inhibitor (AI) or Tamoxifen Followed by an AI in Prolonging Disease-Free Survival in Postmenopausal Women with Hormone Receptor Positive Brest Cancer. PI: Cristina Truica, MD

SWOG S0622:

Phase II Studies of Two Different Schedules of Dasatinib (NSC-732517) in Bone-Metastasis Predominant Metastatic Breast Cancer PI: Cristina Truica, MD

Neoadjuvant Hormone Therapy

ACOSOG Z1031

: A Randomized Phase III Trial Comparing 16 to 18 Weeks of Neoadjuvant Exemestane (25 mg daily), Letrozole (2.5mg), or Anastrozole (1 mg) in Postmenopausal Women with Clinical Stage II And III Estrogen Receptor Positive Breast Cancer. PI: Cristina Truica, MD

Metastatic Breast Cancer

Hormonal Therapy

SWOG S0226

: A Phase III Randomized Trial of Anastrozole vs. Anastrozole and Fulvestrant as First Line Therapy for Postmenopausal Women with Metastatic Breast Cancer. PI: Cristina Truica, MD

Chemotherapy

Pfizer-A6181094

: A Phase III Study of SU011248 in Combination with Paclitaxel vs. Bevacizumab with Paclitaxel in the First Line Metastatic Disease Setting In Patients Having Breast Cancer. PI: Cristina Truica, MD 

BMS- CA163131 IXTEND

: A Randomized Phase 2 Study to Evaluate the Combination of Ixabepilone plus Capecitabine or Docetaxel plus Capecitabine in treatment of Metastatic Breast Cancer. PI: Cristina Truica, MD 

SWOG S0500

: A Randomized Phase III Trial to Test the Strategy of Changing Therapy Versus Maintaining Therapy for Metastatic Breast Cancer in Patients Who Have Elected Circulating tumor Cell Levels at First Follow-up Assessment. PI: Cristina Truica, MD

Judy Bosley, BSN, RN 
Clinical Research Manager
410-601-6120
jbosley@lifebridgehealth.org