By Andres Alvarez, MD, PhD
These are exciting times to be a cancer researcher within Memorial Healthcare System. The new $125 million, 125,000 sq. ft. Memorial Cancer Institute will be opening shortly in Pembroke Pines, providing additional space for studies and increasing access for patients to clinical trials. Simultaneously, we’re also seeking candidates and moving forward an important study that offers the potential of T-cell therapy for cancer patients whose disease has been resistant to traditional chemotherapy drugs and/or metastasized within their body. While not everyone with solid tumors will be eligible to participate, the success this immunotherapy has had in treating blood cancers offers hope to those who have been unsuccessful with more conventional treatments.
CAR-T Cell Therapy
T cells are a type of white blood cell that help the body’s immune system fight disease. In CAR-T cell therapy they are harvested from blood and genetically altered to produce synthetic molecules called chimeric antigen receptors (CARs). In the current study, the modified cells will be used for patients diagnosed with solid tumors in the head and neck, lungs, and skin, with the hope that the CARs enable the T cells to recognize and attach to a certain protein in cancer cells and kill them.
The research focus includes the search for specific human leukocyte antigens (HLA)-typed cells in solid tumor CAR-T clinical studies, as well as numerous other novel research opportunities. Memorial’s commitment to state-of-the-art oncology research is driven by cell therapies, pioneering developments in new treatment options for solid tumors, personalized medicine, genetics, biobanking, and treating patients with precision medicine. Novel types of immunotherapy, like reengineered T cells (CAR-T and TIL therapies) and other medical research advances, are part of this approach.
There has been success with CAR-T for solid tumors in the lab and the clinical research is now being extended to select cancer centers for use on patients that qualify. We’ve taken a multi-disciplinary approach that includes physicians, scientists, research specialists, regulatory experts, Memorial’s Office of Human Research, its cancer institute, and the Moffit Malignant Hematology and Cellular Therapy Program.
Patients that are qualified to participate in the CAR-T study can expect a minimum of six months of research visits, monthly oncology visits, and target treatments. Study qualification, participation, and results will be determined through medical oncologist evaluation.
Strategic Partners
Memorial’s Cancer Institute is one of only seven “Cancer Centers of Excellence” in the state, as designated by the Florida Legislature and the Department of Health. We’ve achieved this through a strong collaborative partnership with Florida Atlantic University, with physicians and clinical staff working with university scientists to advance cancer medicine, develop new treatments, and pursue grants and funding to find more cures.
Additionally, there have been multiple research collaborations with Moffitt. Their location at Memorial Hospital West was one of the sites that has had success with CAR-T in the treatment of specific blood cancers, like acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and select non-Hodgkin lymphoma, boasting response rates of 50% to exceeding 70% in clinical trials.
What’s Next?
CAR-T therapy represents a dynamic frontier in cancer treatment, with ongoing research and evolving clinical outcomes shaping its trajectory. Our new research lab and pharmacy at MCI will expedite the process and expand our research opportunities for phase 1 clinical studies, with quicker biopsy results resulting from the sampling of tumors for future collaborations.
We’re excited to offer diverse opportunities for patient participation in innovative clinical trials like this one and others, contingent on research protocols and medical evaluation. There are more than 75 studies we’re currently offering for cancer research, including those for the treatment of malignant hematology, breast cancer, lung cancer and other solid tumors.
To learn more about CAR-T cell therapy for solid tumors or any of the clinical trials at Memorial, I suggest patients or families request information online or call (954) 265-1847.
Dr. Andres Alvarez is the director of the Oncology Research within Memorial Healthcare System’s Office of Human Research. His work positively impacts cancer patients being treated at the Memorial Cancer Institute and Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital.
