Scientists around the globe are working hard to help unlock the secrets that can eradicate cancer. Martin Memorial Health Systems is doing its part to help them.
Since 2001, more than 50 cancer clinical research trials have been conducted at the Robert and Carol Weissman Cancer Center at Martin Memorial, through its affiliation with the Moffitt Cancer Center. Those trials offer valuable insight into the causes and treatments of cancer.
That includes research such as Total Cancer Care, which examines the unique molecular structures of different types of tumors and compares patients responses to specific drug treatments to learn how to best treat each patient. And it includes two vaccine trials one for earlier stage lung cancer and one for melanoma that are seeking to prevent recurrence of disease.
As technology and science become increasingly sophisticated, research will play a growing role in health care. And while much of the research is being performed at life sciences organizations and research hospitals, community hospitals such as Martin Memorial will continue to enjoy a substantive, vital role.
For example, in the past year Martin Memorial has begun to expand its operations to other disciplines, which eventually will include infectious disease, neurology and cardiology. The vision for the future Martin Memorial hospital in west Port St. Lucie includes a dedicated phase 1 unit for conducting inpatient clinical trials in a variety of disciplines.
Martin Memorial is collaborating with various life sciences organizations, including Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies and the Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute (VGTI Florida) with a focus on supporting life sciences throughout the region.
In November, Martin Memorial and VGTI Florida announced they were partnering on a research study that would investigate how the bodys immune cells react to exposure to a viral infection such as the flu, either by immunization or by infection with the virus itself.
The study which is expected to involve approximately 270 subjects hopefully will allow researchers to better understand the reaction the body has against the virus. Better understanding of the model for acute phase of influenza infection will be helpful in determining protective strategies and developing innovative vaccine and immune therapies to control the current flu epidemic, HIV and other chronic infections.
Clinical research will remain a key element in Martin Memorials effort to improve the treatments and lives of people in the community, both now and in the future.
Scientists around the globe are working hard to help unlock the secrets that can eradicate cancer. Martin Memorial Health Systems is doing its part to help them. 
