Sanford Health Gets First Clinical Trial for Oncology

A new study of cancer drugs will be conducted at several Sanford Health locations to determine if the drugs can effectively treat other cancers.

The clinical trials will be conducted in Sioux Falls, Fargo and Bismarck.

Precision medicine, which targets treatments based on genetics and changes unique to a specific person’s cancer, allows oncologists to provide individualized treatments that attack cancer at a molecular level.

“Precision cancer therapy shows great promise, but despite our advances in genetic testing, treatment options have been limited,” said Dr. Steven Powell, M.D., the principal investigator for Sanford Health sites. “ASCO’s TAPUR study will increase the treatment options for our patients.”

Patients who have had genomic testing and are identified to have a targetable alteration qualify for the study and will gain access to treatments matched to their needs. Right now, the study is for adults with advanced cancers that have progressed on standard therapy or for whom no standard therapy exists.

Three medical oncologists from Sanford Health are principal investigators in the trial: Steven Powell, M.D., Sioux Falls; Anu Gaba, M.D., Fargo; and John Reynolds, M.D., Bismarck.

The study is open to cancer patients ages 18 and older who are no longer benefiting from standard anti-cancer treatment. To enroll, call 1-87-SURVIVAL.

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