The Miriam Hospital has treated the first patients in the world in two new clinical trials testing innovative therapies for prostate cancer, offering local patients access to cutting-edge treatments years before they may be widely available.
The studies are part of Brown University Health’s Early Phase Clinical Trial (Phase I) Program and are led by Benedito Carneiro, MD, Director of Clinical Research and Cancer Drug Development and Associate Director of the Division of Hematology/Oncology and Co-Leader of the Cancer Therapeutics Program at the Legorreta Cancer Center at Brown University.
“The Early Phase Clinical Trial Program at Brown University Health and Legorreta Cancer Center is essential to making this kind of progress possible,” said Dr. Carneiro “Our program allows us to safely bring the most innovative cancer therapies to patients early and close to their home, while advancing research that can change how prostate cancer is treated worldwide.”
Both studies focus on treatments designed to precisely target prostate cancer cells while minimizing harm to healthy tissue.
One trial is testing a new type of immunotherapy that helps the body’s immune system recognize and attack prostate cancer. The treatment works by guiding immune cells directly to cancer cells that carry a protein commonly found in prostate cancer. By helping immune cells find and attach to tumors, the therapy aims to trigger a powerful, targeted immune response.
The second trial is evaluating a targeted drug delivery approach that sends a cancer-killing medicine directly to prostate cancer cells. This strategy is designed to limit side effects by concentrating treatment where it is needed most and avoiding healthy cells. These studies are sponsored by the global biopharmaceutical company, AstraZeneca.
In addition to these first-in-the-world studies, The Miriam Hospital’s multidisciplinary prostate cancer team, including medical oncologists, urologists, and radiation oncologists are participating in several other clinical trials for patients with newly diagnosed and advanced prostate cancer. Clinicians and scientists at Legorreta Cancer Center are also collaborating in several research projects investigating novel treatments poised to transition to the clinic in the near future.
“These trials reflect the very best of what The Miriam Hospital stands for, innovation, collaboration, and a deep commitment to our patients,” said Maria Ducharme, DNP, RN, president, The Miriam Hospital and chief quality executive, Brown University Health. “By bringing first-in-the-world clinical research to our community, we are giving patients access to highly advanced care close to home and helping shape the future of prostate cancer treatment.”
Patients interested in learning more about prostate cancer clinical trials at The Miriam Hospital should speak with their physician or visit: