Forrest General Cancer Center Clinical Trials Program Making a Name for Itself
As the Forrest General Cancer celebrates its 25th anniversary, the Center’s Clinical Trials program is making a name for itself. From left, Millie Swan, Forrest Health vice president; Shannon Vega, Cancer Center director/Oncology Service Line administrator; Kaitlin Windham, Hematology/Oncology asst. manager; Bradley Myers, NP; Courtney Tomlinson, NP; Garner Bell, DO; TKylia Moss Powe, PA; John “Bo” Hrom, M.D., F.A.C.P., Clinical Trial director; David Morris, MD; Laurie Douglas, MD; Louis Varner, MD; Dolly Johnston, Hematology/Oncology manager; Christopher Sentell, RN, Cancer Center Clinical Research coordinator; Gloria Simmons, RN, Clinical Trials.
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – (March 4, 2024) Did you know the Forrest General Cancer Center conducts clinical trials? In January the Forrest General Cancer Center’s Clinical Trials program completed two trials and was the first in the United States to receive a trial for chemotherapy. Did you know that in 2023, the Cancer Center was the first in the world to perform a multiple myeloma trial?
In addition to caring for its patients battling a variety of cancers, the Forrest General Cancer Center is currently the largest cancer research center in the state due to the number of studies taking place. Presently, the center is conducting 15 to 20 clinical trials with companies like Astra-Zeneca, Merck, Bristol Myers Squibb, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, as well as companies overseas, among others.
Clinical trials are a type of research that studies new tests and treatments and evaluates their effects on human health outcomes. The trials also offer new drugs to patients that aren’t yet on the market.
FGH Clinical Trials Coordinator, Christopher Sentell, RN, and Gloria Simmons, RN, have partnered with Hattiesburg Clinic Hematology/Oncology physicians to administer these recent groundbreaking and lifesaving trials.
“When it comes to clinical trials, Forrest General’s Cancer Center has the largest program in the state and is one of the most outstanding research centers in the nation,” said Bo Hrom, MD, F.A.C.P., Clinical Trial director. “And that’s a pretty big deal. No, we aren’t the size of Houston, Birmingham, or New Orleans, but our patients don’t have to travel to big cities like that in order to get the treatment they need. We are able to provide the exact same level of care, if not better, being a smaller site. The trials being conducted locally are mostly chemotherapy trials or immunotherapy trials, just with the newest cancer drugs. In two of our multiple myeloma studies, we had the first two patients in the world on those studies, right here in Hattiesburg. Those were large trials that will help thousands of patients.”
“We have had as many as 22 trials going at one time, which is lot for a small community, education hospital that is not the size of larger facilities,” said Sentell. “There is a lot of hard work going into these trials. We currently have about 20 open enrollment trials, which is a lot for us. It’s usually closer to 15.”
“Hospitals in Jackson sometimes only have six or seven trials going,” added Simmons.
According to Hrom, the reason we have clinical trials at the Cancer Center is we are available to provide the highest level of cancer care for those trials. “Not only do they provide access to the newest state-of-the-art care and newest medications, they also help out other patients, as well,” he said.
A misconception about clinical trials is they are a last-ditch effort for cancer patients when all else has failed or that patients are going to be used as test subjects. That’s not the case.
The Cancer Center conducts Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4 studies. Phase 1 is the initial reaction to see if the drug does anything. Phase 2 and 3 are more where we know there is some kind of efficacy. “We know it works; otherwise the FDA wouldn’t allow it to continue,” said Sentell. “Clinical trials present a good option for a lot of patients. It does help cover scans, lab work, certain things some people don’t always have the means to cover.”
“They are also getting scans and some tests a little more frequently than insurance allows,” Simmons said. “Under a clinical trial, we may need a scan or test every six weeks versus the standard of care, which would be 12 weeks. These patients are followed even more closely.”
Clinical trials occur when medical companies reach out to Sentell. “They know of our work in clinical trials and reach out to see if we are interested in the type of trial they are starting and if it is the right fit for us. We are maxxed out right now,” he said.
A big selling point for these companies is we are a community-based clinic and the diversity our African American population represents in these trials. Sentell said while the national average for African Americans in clinical trials averages about 14 to 15 percent, at the Cancer Center it’s about 30 percent, which is important to these companies. Last year, we were at 33 percent. It’s a big push from an FDA perspective. That’s part of why they are coming to us…the diversity we can provide.”
Identifying patients who are good candidates for a clinical trial starts with the doctors. They know what studies are available and can identify patients who would fit into these studies.
Simmons explained there are also certain inclusion and exclusion criteria the patient has to meet to be included in the study. There are also screening processes, scans, lab work, EKGs, and other such tests which determine eligibility.
The length of time for a trial depends on the kind of study. Some trials may last 18 months while another three years or longer.
“Sometimes it’s based on the number of patients,” said Simmons. “The company sets a number of patients they want to enroll in the study. Once they meet that goal, they stop the enrollment, but the study will continue. A company will usually monitor up to five years or more to check and see if it’s beneficial to continue the study.”
As each patient is different, so is the way they respond to a trial. “We don’t know how a patient will react,” said Simmons. “That’s why we follow them so closely. If it’s not working, we aren’t going to stay on something that’s not going to benefit the patient. We will stop it and find something else.”
Another misconception among those looking at clinical trials is that a patient will be paid for their time. That’s not the case. Sentell explained that clinical trials are contingent on budget. It varies with each company. “We don’t want people to have the expectation that they are going to get paid for being part of a clinical trial.”
Simmons explained that clinical trials are posted on clinicaltrials.gov. “They list every trial and location of that particular study. That way physicians can look up our site and see what trials we are running and refer a patient here.”
“I believe our patients have a great trust in our physicians and that has helped to enroll a lot of patients here, because they have a good patient rapport,” Millie Swan, vice president, said. “For the past 25 years the Cancer Center has played an important role in the lives of so many of our patients. As we work to fulfill our mission, to do what is best for the patient, the Cancer Center will continue to grow and work toward meeting the needs of our community.”
ABOUT FORREST GENERAL CANCER CENTER
Forrest General Hospital Cancer Center ranks among the largest and most sophisticated cancer treatment centers in South Mississippi. It offers a place where patients can receive advanced care in a beautiful, compassionate environment. Forrest General operates the only comprehensive community Cancer Center in the 19-county service area, and is accredited by the College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. The center features the services of a multidisciplinary team led by medical oncologists/hematologists and radiation oncologists, who provide high quality medical care in a continuum of settings. In addition to medical and radiation oncologists, a complete range of physician specialists provide expertise in diagnoses, surgical removal, disease management and reconstructive procedures.
