Cancer Treatment Centers of America Joins Translational Oncology Research International Network

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 29, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) has joined the Translational Oncology Research International (TORI), a UCLA-affiliated non-profit that is devoted to evaluating novel agents for the treatment of cancer and managing clinical research trials for its network of centers across the United States. CTCA and TORI share similar missions—to search for innovative and quality treatment options that deliver results that matter to cancer patients today. The collaboration with TORI is part of an ongoing effort to expand the CTCA clinical research program.

"Cancer patients want options – faster," said Maurie Markman, M.D., senior vice president for clinical affairs at CTCA.  "Translational research is the cutting edge of cancer treatment and where the cures for cancer will emerge."

CTCA was introduced to the TORI collaborative network through their common support for Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C), a national program of the Entertainment Industry Foundation. Similarly, SU2C is designed to accelerate groundbreaking research through collaboration.

"CTCA will be an asset to TORI," said John Glaspy, M.D., M.P.H., co-chief of Hematology and Medical Oncology division at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. "Their ability to treat late-stage and complex cancers, while also providing complementary support therapies, and their commitment to getting innovative therapies to the patient's bedside faster will be important to our research program."

While CTCA's Philadelphia and Zion, Illinois, hospitals will be the first to participate in the program, patients from all four CTCA sites across the country will soon have access to clinical trials available through the TORI network. CTCA is one of only 23 cancer treatment centers nationwide to be accepted into the TORI network, and its Philadelphia location is the first and only hospital in the Northeast region of the United States to have access to the trials.

"At CTCA our patients are often dealing with very advanced diseases and simply don't have time to wait years for a new study," said Dr. Markman, who will also serve as the Principal Investigator for the program. "TORI understands that and works to efficiently evaluate promising treatment options, providing patients access to therapies while accelerating the often lengthy drug-approval process."

Cancer Treatment Centers of America's research team is currently evaluating clinical trials available through the TORI network. CTCA will seek out studies with the greatest potential to improve the length and quality of life for its patient population.

About CTCA

Founded in 1988, Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) provides a comprehensive, patient-centered treatment model that fully integrates traditional, state-of-the-art medical treatments with scientifically-supported complementary and alternative therapies such as nutrition, naturopathy, psychological counseling, physical therapy and spiritual support to meet the special, whole-person needs of advanced-stage cancer patients. With a network of cancer treatment hospitals and community oncology programs in Illinois, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Arizona and Washington, CTCA encourages patients and their families to participate in treatment decisions with its Patient Empowerment Medicine® model. For more information about Cancer Treatment Centers of America®, go to www.cancercenter.com.       

SOURCE Cancer Treatment Centers of America

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