The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Oncology Research Program (ORP) has awarded five grants to investigators to evaluate and define the preclinical and clinical effectiveness of enzalutamide (Xtandi) in mantle cell lymphoma and endometrial, hepatocellular, and prostate cancers. These grants are made possible through funding from Astellas Pharma, Inc. and Medivation, Inc.
“These five studies selected through peer review represent an excellent mix of both clinical and preclinical projects, which will further elucidate the activity and utility of this important therapeutic agent,” said Robert C. Young, MD, Interim Vice President, NCCN ORP.
The following proposals have been awarded funding:
Albert Chang, MD, PhD
UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
“Phase II Trial of Dose Escalated Radiotherapy with Leuprolide and Enzalutamide in Patients with Very High Risk or Pelvic Node Positive Prostate Cancer”
Ajay Gopal, MD
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center/Seattle Cancer Care Alliance
“Androgen Receptor Targeting in Mantle Cell Lymphoma: A Pilot Phase II Trial of Enzalutamide”
James Harding, MD
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
“A Multi-Center Phase I/II Study of Enzalutamide with and without Sorafenib in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients”
Gustavo Leone, PhD
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center–Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute
“Evaluating the Efficacy of Enzalutamide Therapy in Preventing Tumor Progression in a Preclinical Mouse Model of Type 1 Endometrial Carcinoma”
Shannon Westin, MD, MPH
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
“A Phase II Study with a Limited Safety Lead-In of Enzalutamide in Combination with Carboplatin and Paclitaxel in Advanced Stage or Recurrent Endometrial Cancer”
The awardees responded to a Request for Proposals issued by the NCCN ORP to the 26 NCCN member institutions. Submissions were peer-reviewed by the NCCN Enzalutamide Scientific Review Committee. The funded concepts were selected based on several criteria, including scientific merit, existing data, and the types of studies necessary to further evaluate the efficacy of enzalutamide.
The NCCN ORP draws on the expertise of the investigators of the NCCN member institutions and NCCN Affiliate Research Consortium to facilitate all phases of clinical research. This research is made possible by collaborations with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in order to advance therapeutic options for patients with cancer.
For more information about NCCN ORP, visit NCCN.org/ORP. ■
