Best of ASCO Features Two Studies Led by US Oncology Research Affiliated Physicians

THE WOODLANDS, Texas, June 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Two clinical trial studies authored by physicians affiliated with US Oncology Research and the United Network of US Oncology have been selected to be featured in the Best of ASCO to be held July 29-30 in Miami and August 5-6 in Seattle.

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) hosted its 47th Annual Meeting June 3-7 at McCormick Place in Chicago. The Best of ASCO Meetings highlight the most relevant studies from the ASCO Annual Meeting, which is the premier educational and scientific event in the oncology community. This major medical meeting highlights the most advanced treatments in cancer care and attracts more than 26,000 cancer specialists from around the world. This year's annual meeting featured clinical trial studies that include contributions from more than 70 clinical investigators affiliated with McKesson Specialty Care Solutions | US Oncology, a division of McKesson Corporation focused on empowering the community patient care delivery system to advance the science, technology and quality of care.

Investigators affiliated with McKesson Specialty Care Solutions | US Oncology contributed to more than 60 studies that were presented at the ASCO Annual Meeting, including the two US Oncology Research affiliated physicians listed below which have been chosen to be featured in the Best of ASCO:

- Abstract #506: Correlation of molecular effects and pathologic complete response to preoperative lapatinib and trastuzumab, separately and combined prior to neoadjuvant breast cancer chemotherapy. (Frankie Ann Holmes, MD, Texas Oncology – Houston Memorial City)

"This study is extremely exciting for three reasons," said Dr. Holmes. "First, it was a 'deep dive' into the molecular analysis of breast cancer, but it was carried out in the patients' own oncologist's office close to their home by US Oncology Research network doctors, not at a university or tertiary care center. Second, by biopsying the tumor before and after two weeks of treatment with a HER2-blocking medication, we were able to see changes in the levels of molecules that, in the end, correlated with whether the tumor completely disappeared or was resistant to the treatment. In the future, we hope testing each patient's tumor this way will tell us which treatment has the best chance of cure for each unique patient. Third, the patients in our trial were passionately committed as our partners in the research effort to cure breast cancer. The extra biopsies were a gift of their time and tissue, and the many new findings in our study are a tribute to them. Curing breast cancer, as with many other areas of life, 'takes a village.'"

- Abstract #1007: A randomized phase III study of iniparib (BSI-201) in combination with gemcitabine/carboplatin (G/C) in metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). (Joyce O'Shaughnessy, MD, Texas Oncology - Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center.)

During the ASCO 47th Annual Meeting, 14 US Oncology Research affiliated studies were presented orally - four of which were presented by US Oncology Research affiliated physicians. In addition, McKesson Specialty Care Solutions | US Oncology affiliated investigators also contributed to several poster discussions, posters, trials in progress, and published studies. For a full list of these studies, see the ASCO press release in the newsroom at www.usoncology.com.

"We are proud of the investigators who work so tirelessly on research studies that truly are making a difference in advancing cancer care," said Roy Beveridge, MD, chief medical officer, McKesson Specialty Care Solutions | US Oncology. "It's an honor that year after year, ASCO recognizes so many of the community-based physicians and investigators in the United Network of US Oncology by asking them to present their findings at its Annual Meeting. We are proud to work in association with ASCO, and I am excited each year to see what advancements are in the pipeline that could improve patient care."

About McKesson Specialty Care Solutions | US Oncology

McKesson Specialty Care Solutions | US Oncology, a division of McKesson Corporation, empowers the community patient care delivery system to advance the science, technology and quality of care. Through innovative clinical, research, business and operational solutions, facilitated by integrated technology systems, we improve the financial health of our customers and help them provide quality care for patients. For more information, visit www.mckesson.com/specialty and www.usoncology.com.

About US Oncology Research

McKesson Specialty Care Solutions | US Oncology conducts clinical research through US Oncology Research, its wholly-owned subsidiary uniting one of the nation's largest community-based cancer research networks. US Oncology Research has experienced investigators and dedicated research nurses who specialize in Phase I through Phase IV oncology clinical trials. US Oncology Research serves more than 95 sites in 225 locations managing more than 200 active trials at any given time. Physicians in the research network have enrolled more than 48,000 patients in more than 1,150 trials since inception in 1992 and have contributed to the development of 43 cancer therapies approved by the FDA. For more information call (866) 216-5053 or visit www.usoncology.com/oncologists.

SOURCE US Oncology