LI Cancer Patients To Get Expanded Access To Clinical Trials

LONG ISLAND, NY — Catholic Health is collaborating with the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center to expand access to cancer clinical trials and investigational therapies for patients across Long Island.

The collaboration will give Catholic Health patients direct access to select cancer clinical trials and investigational drug programs offered through the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, also known as HICCC, Catholic Health announced.

HICCC is a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center focused on cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and research.

The collaboration also allows Catholic Health to become a member of HICCC’s National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program grant, which focuses on providing NCI cancer clinical trials and care delivery studies to patients in their own communities.

“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to delivering cutting-edge, patient-centered cancer care,” said Dr. Andrew Lassman, associate director of clinical trials at the HICCC. “By bringing advanced clinical trials into community settings, we can help provide patients equitable access to innovative treatments while remaining supported within their local care teams.”

There are already 20 clinical trials underway through the collaboration, with additional studies expected to be introduced over time, Catholic Health said. Trials and treatments will be administered locally at most Catholic Health Cancer Institute locations, allowing patients to receive advanced care closer to home.

“This collaboration represents an important step forward in expanding access to advanced cancer care for patients and communities across Long Island,” Gary Havican, interim president and CEO and chief operating officer of Catholic Health, said. “By working with the HICCC at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia, we are able to bring innovative cancer therapies and select clinical trials closer to home, giving patients greater access to highly specialized, personalized treatment within their own communities.”

The clinical trials will evaluate emerging therapies, including targeted treatments, immunotherapies and precision medicine approaches designed to improve survival and reduce side effects, officials said.

“Expanding access to clinical trials is essential to accelerating cancer research so that scientific advances reach more patients,” Dr. Anil K. Rustgi, Herbert and Florence Irving director of the HICCC at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia and Herbert and Florence Irving Professor of Medicine at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, said.

Catholic Health officials said the collaboration is part of the health system’s broader investment in oncology services, research integration and partnerships with academic institutions.

“Clinical trials are essential to advancing cancer treatment and improving long-term outcomes,” Dr. Bhoomi Mehrotra, chair of cancer services for Catholic Health and director of The Catholic Health Cancer Institute at St. Francis Hospital, said. “This collaboration allows our physicians to offer patients more targeted and emerging therapies within a coordinated, multidisciplinary care model, bringing research and clinical excellence together in a meaningful way.”