Breakthrough in Cancer Drug Experiments

Frist time that drug companies join together in clinical trials
By Berit Mason
Tuesday, January 5, 2010

A breakthrough in how cancer drugs are tested may save lives.

For the first time ever, two pharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca and Merck, each offering an experimental cancer drug, are allowing them to be combined in a clinical trial, to work as one.

San Antonio's START Center for Cancer Care, the leading cancer research and treatment facility in south Texas, is conducting the groundbreaking study.

Richard McClosky is the first participant in this phase one experimental cancer drug trial. He comes once a week from Lousiana to get his dosage.

"The first thing you always think of is chemotherapy but then you start to look for other things after that ... there are many opportunities but the good ones are limited."

He says he's excited for this new chance to fight his colon cancer.

Dr. Anthony Tolcher of the San Antonio START Center says it's the first time drug companies have joined forces in this way.

Tolcher says the most important aspect of the collaboration is the putting of patient's lives first. He says it's also a shortcut in the long time it takes to approve drugs ... and time is what every cancer patient desperately needs.

McClosky says four weeks into the trial, he's got skin rashes but that overall he feels much more energy, which he says helps cancer patients get on with life.

The trial will run for one year and enrollment is still open. Contact the START Center for more information.