Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute First Site in Pennsylvania to Participate in Pioneering Rectal Cancer Trial

A groundbreaking clinical trial for colorectal cancer created and designed by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) that garnered international headlines for its unprecedented results is now available at Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute. In June 2022, the New England Journal of Medicine reported on the initial MSK study cohort – at the time, all 14 patients had a complete clinical response, meaning no tumors were detected on MRI scans. Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute is now recruiting eligible patients to participate in the trial.

Oncologist Maged Khalil, MD, with Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute, will serve as the physician lead for the trial at Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN).

“We are ecstatic to participate in this study and provide more treatment options to our patients,” Khalil said. “The results to date have been nothing short of exceptional and could revolutionize how we treat rectal cancer in the future. Every patient in the initial study saw their tumors vanish without needing chemoradiation or surgery – which we know can have life-altering side effects. 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 2 study with MSK.

“This is another example of the benefit of the MSK Cancer Alliance and bringing innovative cancer treatments close to home,” said Suresh Nair, MD, 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, and brings leading-edge cancer care, including access to lifesaving clinical trials, close to home.

“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 David Pfister, MD, 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 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.