Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute Archives

Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute opens MSK cancer trial

Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute is recruiting eligible patients to participate in a clinical trial for colorectal cancer created and designed by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK).

Lehigh Valley Health network said the clinical trial garnered international headlines for its unprecedented results.

Dr. Maged Khalil

In June 2022, the New England Journal of Medicine reported on the initial MSK study cohort, which at the time showed all 14 patients had a complete clinical response, meaning no tumors were detected on MRI scans.

Oncologist Dr. Maged Khalil, with Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute, will serve as the physician lead for the trial.

“We are ecstatic to participate in this study and provide more treatment options to our patients. The results to date have been nothing short of exceptional and could revolutionize how we treat rectal cancer in the future,” Khalil said.

“Every patient in the initial study saw their tumors vanish without needing chemoradiation or surgery which we know can have life-altering side effects,” he said. “Cancer care is changing rapidly, and getting better each and every day, and we are proud to be at the forefront.”

Recognizing the initial success of the treatment, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested MSK expand the study to other networks. Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute is one of three health networks participating in the phase two study with MSK.

“This is another example of the benefit of the MSK Cancer Alliance and bringing innovative cancer treatments close to home,” said Dr. Suresh Nair, physician in chief, Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute.

Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute is the only cancer center in the region to be a member of the MSK Cancer Alliance.

“When we announced the MSK Cancer Alliance with LVHN six years ago, our vision was to create a unique partnership between two exceptional institutions that would lead to improved access to the most advanced treatments and practices for more people with cancer,” said Dr. David Pfister, associate deputy physician in chief, Strategic Partnerships, MSK. “The opportunity to expand this trial at LVHN really speaks to the success and impact of our relationship.”

Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute said it expects to initially enroll about a handful of patients with stage 2 or 3 rectal adenocarcinoma tumors with a specific genetic makeup. It’s estimated that approximately 10% of colorectal cancer patients will qualify for the study.

In addition to receiving the immunotherapy checkpoint inhibitor drug, trial participants at Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute also will have access to nurse navigators, who help support patients by helping them set up appointments and coordinating care.

Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute selected as clinical trial site

Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute has been selected as a clinical trial site for Michigan-based Strata Oncology Inc.

From left, Brian Nester, president and CEO of LVHN, Dr. Suresh Nair, physician in chief, Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute, Maureen Topper, Ed Topper – Cris Collingwood

The institute joins Strata Oncology Inc., a next-generation precision oncology company enabling smarter and earlier cancer treatment, along with the University of Michigan Health Rogel Cancer Center in the Strata Sentinel trial.

The trial is a prospective, observational study of the StrataMRD minimal residual disease test that has the potential to shift cancer care, bringing the use of biomarker-matched precision therapies to earlier stages of the disease, Strata Oncology said.

“At Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute, we are continuously working to improve cancer care, including partnering with innovators to bring the latest technology to the patients we serve,” said Dr. Suresh Nair, physician in chief of the Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute. “With the Strata Sentinel trial, we aim to demonstrate the utility of detecting recurrence as soon as possible using the ctDNA-based StrataMRD test.

“We will also evaluate the clinical benefit of treating patients with micrometastatic disease, including with biomarker-matched therapies chosen based on the extended treatment selection data provided by Strata Oncology platform,” Nair said.

“The Strata Sentinel trial is a key piece of our strategy of developing integrated solutions to enable smarter and earlier cancer treatment,” said Dan Rhodes, PhD, co-founder and CEO, Strata Oncology. “We are grateful to add Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute and the University of Michigan Health Rogel Cancer Center to our growing list of partners that we are working with to not only collect clinical validation and utility data, but also to learn together to create the sustainable, scalable systems necessary to deliver the best possible treatment to every patient with cancer.”

Lehigh Valley Cancer Institute receives gift, renames center.

From left, Brian Nester, Dr. Suresh Nair, Maureen and Joe Topper, – Cris Collingwood

Lehigh Valley Cancer Institute was renamed the Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute today after Joe and Maureen Topper gave the facility a “generous” gift.

Maureen Topper is a breast cancer survivor and her care close to home made the Topper’s want to give back to the organization.

During a press conference attended by about 50 cancer patients and their families, Brian A. Nester, president and CEO of Lehigh Valley Health Network, said the gift will be used to bring innovative and lifesaving clinical trials to the region.

“The field of oncology is rapidly evolving, and the clinicians in our cancer program are dedicated to providing our patients the highest-level care within our community. Since 2016, we have been a member of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Alliance, which has enhanced our ability to provide state-of-the-art cancer treatments,” Nester said.

Doctors, nurses and staff filled the staircase and upper decks of the atrium where the press conference was held. A new banner was unrolled and the staff waved purple towels to celebrate the renaming.

The Toppers requested the amount of their gift to remain undisclosed. Speaking to the gathering this morning, Maureen Topper said she felt connected to the cancer team immediately. “I was very confident the plan here was a good one for us. The positive, supportive manner made me feel I was going to be OK,” she said.

“Our gift will help get the word out about the cancer institute and through support and growth, it will make it better than it is,” she said.

Nester said since receiving the gift, recruitment of new staff and clinical trials are already underway. “The gift will complement network investments in advanced cancer treatments and technologies, including stem cell transplantation and cellular therapies.”

In addition, he said, the gift will serve as a permanent source of funding for Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute to attract, recruit and retain the best and brightest physicians, nurses and staff.

“At Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute, we aren’t just treating cancer – we are caring for people,” said Dr. Suresh Nair, physician in chief of the institute. “Our focus is on the individual, not only their disease. We strive to offer our patients the best treatment options for their specific diagnoses so they can continue their lives and reach milestones they didn’t think were possible.”

The cancer center, in its fifth year, is one of three cancer centers int the country participating in the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Alliance, which provides patients with treatment in their communities.

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Lehigh Valley Cancer Institute receives gift, renames center.