ACORN Research Reports Positive Findings of Phase 2b Metastatic Breast Cancer Trial at ASCO

MEMPHIS, Tenn., June 30, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Accelerated Community Oncology Research Network, Inc., (ACORN), reported positive results of a large double-blind, randomized Phase 2b trial in patients with breast cancer at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 47th annual meeting in Chicago, June 3-7. The study, managed by ACORN Research, evaluated a novel drug regimen for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer.  The regimen, Nexavar® (sorafenib) tablets in combination with either Gemcitabine (Gemzar®) or Capecitabine (Xeloda®), found statistically significant improvement in progression-free survival.  Forty investigative sites enrolled 160 patients over a three year period.

Lee S. Schwartzberg, MD, FACP, President of ACORN and Chief Medical Officer of The West Clinic in Memphis, Tennessee served as study co-chair. According to Schwartzberg, "This study was conceived as one of a suite of trials collectively evaluating the addition of Nexavar to chemotherapy in different advanced disease settings. The results demonstrate activity for this antiangiogenic agent in patients who had progressed on bevacizumab containing regimens."

The trial was one of two studies sponsored by Onyx Pharmaceuticals with clinical research and site management services provided by ACORN Research. Dr. Edward Stepanski, Chief Operating Officer of ACORN Research stated, "The success of this trial was due to the enthusiasm of the investigative sites and the close cooperation with ACORN staff."

The West Clinic was, along with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, a high enrolling site. According to Kurt Tauer, MD, FACP, Chief of Staff and principal investigator for the study at The West Clinic, "This trial was a high priority for the clinic due to the interest in adding biological agents to standard chemotherapy, and we are pleased to see the positive results."

About Nexavar
Nexavar is an antiangiogenic drug that works by decreasing blood flow to the tumor cells.  This approach has been shown to be effective in other types of cancer, especially when combined with traditional chemotherapy.  Nexavar is being co-developed by Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Onyx Pharmaceuticals Inc.

About ACORN Research, LLC
ACORN Research, LLC is a multi-faceted research organization that combines a network of committed oncology research sites with centralized site management, a BioBank with a commitment to the advancement of bioscience, HOPE [Health Outcomes PharmacoEconomics], and a Contract Research Organization [CRO] into one seamless research operation. ACORN Research, LLC includes an infrastructure of medical oncologists, doctoral level scientists, statisticians, and other professional staff with many years of oncology specific research experience. www.acornresearch.net.

About The West Clinic
The West Clinic is the Mid-South's premier provider of multidisciplinary cancer care with 27 specialty providers in medical oncology, hematology, gynecologic oncology, diagnostic radiology, interventional radiology, endocrinology, rheumatology, pain & palliative care, and psychology with six locations in Memphis, West Tennessee, and North Mississippi. As a nationally-recognized leader in cancer research, West Clinic has consistently been one of the first centers nationally to gain experience with most of the major advances in adult cancer. For a list of available clinical trials at The West Clinic visit www.westclinic.com.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Edward J. Stepanski, Ph.D.
Chief Operating Officer
ACORN Research, LLC
(901) 435-5570 office
[email protected]

SOURCE Accelerated Community Oncology Research Network, Inc.