Research Summary

Blumenthal Cancer Center operates a comprehensive program and network of cancer services, including research that promotes quality outcomes for current cancer patients and future cures for the disease. The American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer has designated Carolinas Medical Center (CMC) as an Accredited Network Cancer Program, one of just 26 hospital systems nationwide to achieve that level of accreditation.

Clinical Trials and the Blumenthal Cancer Center

The American Society of Clinical Oncology states that "clinical trials should be the centerpiece of a premier cancer center." Clinical trials are a critical resource for the discovery of new prevention, diagnostic and treatment methods for cancer. Many of today's most effective prevention and treatment modalities are based on previous clinical trial results. On average, Blumenthal Cancer Center enrolls over 200 new patients a year on clinical trials and follows over 700 patients. BCC has over 250 clinical trials that are open with the CHS institutional review board.  Patients who participate in clinical trials are followed by research staff that has specific therapeutic training in oncology.

The Total Cancer Care Study: A Partnership with the Moffitt Cancer Center

Blumenthal Cancer Center is also partnering with the Moffitt Cancer Center in a study that could lead to individualized treatments for specific types of cancer. CMC is the first hospital system outside Moffitt's home state of Florida to participate.

Over the next five years, CMC will enroll more than 2,300 patients in the study, which will involve collecting tissue samples, medical histories and clinical records. Participation in the study will enable BCC patients to benefit from clinical trials and new treatments that may result from the research.

Cancers are often categorized by where they originate; for example, lung, breast, colon and prostate. However, the study, called Total Cancer Care, recognizes that there are more than 200 different types of cancer irrespective of where they first appear. 

Each type has a specific molecular "fingerprint" made up of some 30,000 genes that could affect how it responds to different forms of treatment. By developing a database of tissue samples from many cancer types, it may be possible to design individualized therapies that target the specific cancer, avoiding treatments that have little or no effect.

"The Total Cancer Care project is the kind of clinical research that physicians at Blumenthal Cancer Center are seeking for their patients," said Jeffrey Kneisl, MD, medical director and principal investigator for the Total Cancer Care study. "This is a thoughtfully conceived, methodically planned project that joins comprehensive cancer centers, cutting-edge research and patient-specific care."

Enrollment in the study is completely voluntary. If patients have cancer surgery, they will be asked to donate excess cancer tissues that would otherwise be discarded. If a biopsy is taken, researchers would like to obtain three to six additional samples for study. 

Volunteers may be asked questions on a yearly basis about their medical history, diet and how they feel. If a new drug is developed that addresses their specific form of cancer, patients will be notified by researchers to see if they would be willing to participate in a clinical trial of that drug.

"Our vision is to integrate new technologies into the standard of care and improve outcomes of all cancer patients by partnering with outstanding health care institutions," said William Dalton, MD, Moffitt President/CEO and Center Director. "We are also looking forward to collaborating with the physicians to increase access to new and improved therapies for cancer."

Contact Information

Mark J. King
Administrative Director, Clinical Trials
Blumenthal Cancer Center