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Blue Ridge Cancer Care announces the launch of Phase I clinical trials in Southwest VA

9/23/2020

Practice leads the way in bringing promising new and advanced treatment options to patients in Southwest Virginia

Roanoke, VA 9/22/2020 — Blue Ridge Cancer Care (BRCC), a premier cancer care center with more than 40 years of experience providing service to patients battling cancer and blood diseases, is now enrolling patients in Phase I clinical trials. This is the latest addition to BRCC’s longstanding clinical research program. Through their collaboration with The US Oncology Network and independent sponsors, BRCC is the largest and most active clinical cancer research program in Southwest Virginia, providing cancer patients access to the latest therapies and treatment options in their community.

Phase I clinical trials are critical to advancing cancer care in patients. These trials validate the best way to administer a new treatment, as well as the optimal dose. Phase I trials answer key scientific questions focused on finding better methods to treat, diagnose, screen, or even prevent cancer. BRCC’s new Phase I unit is designed to focus on patient care while supporting the critical demands of clinical research. The new unit features a private infusion area, laboratory for specimen processing, and a dedicated team specifically trained on Phase I trials. This resource is the only Phase I unit in Southwest Virginia, representing BRCC’s commitment to cancer patients in our region and our goal to offer these novel treatments to patients, while advancing science in cancer research.

Blue Ridge Cancer Care conducts clinical trials through US Oncology Research, one of the largest community-based cancer research programs in the country that has played a role in more than 95 FDA-approved cancer therapies.

“BRCC provides access to resources typically found only in major academic medical centers and large hospital systems,” said Jerry Goldschmidt, M.D., medical oncologist. “We offer compassionate, high-quality care with the personal touch you would expect to find from your community physician. Now we’re set to enroll patients in Phase I trials, expanding on our already substantial clinical research. We’re dedicated to providing our patients with cutting-edge cancer treatment, close to home.”

Currently, Blue Ridge Cancer Care has a Phase I trial open that focuses on non-small cell lung cancer and ovarian cancer. Additionally, we have numerous Phase I trials in our pipeline that will be opening by the end of 2020. We are excited to offer this opportunity to our patients throughout Southwest Virginia.

Those who have recently been diagnosed or suspect they may have cancer, can visit the practice website at BlueRidgeCancerCare.com to request an appointment.

About Blue Ridge Cancer Care

For more than 40 years, Blue Ridge Cancer Care (BRCC) has helped patients with cancer and blood disorders get the most out of life. As a privately-owned practice of 18 physicians, BRCC serves patients in nine locations throughout Southwest Virginia. The high-quality care provided at BRCC includes state-of-the-art technologies and treatments delivered in a compassionate and comfortable setting. BRCC’s model of integrated community-based care maximizes patient and family convenience, while offering patients comprehensive care close to home.

Blue Ridge Cancer Care is a practice in The US Oncology Network (The Network). This collaboration unites the practice with more than 1,350 independent physicians dedicated to delivering value-based, integrated care to patients — close to home. Through The Network, these independent doctors come together to form a community of shared expertise and resources dedicated to advancing local cancer care and to delivering better patient outcomes. The Network is supported by McKesson Corporation, whose coordinated resources and infrastructure allow doctors in The Network to focus on the health of their patients, while McKesson focuses on the health of their practices. BRCC also participates in clinical trials through US Oncology Research, which has played a role in more than 95 FDA-approved cancer therapies.