Success Stories

Patients of SMDC Cancer Center have taken part in many large national clinical trials over the years. A number of these trials resulted in safer, more effective treatments that now benefit cancer patients everywhere. Among these were several large prevention trials including :

• BCPT (Breast Cancer Prevention Trial). This clinical trial ended early because it showed the overwhelming benefit of using Tamoxifen for prevention of breast cancer in high-risk women. There was a 49% decrease in risk of invasive breast cancer over a five-year period in women on Tamoxifen versus the women on placebo. This study was sponsored by the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) research base, of which the Duluth CCOP is a member. Our patients made large contributions to this important study, with well over 200 participating.
• PCPT (Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial). This clinical trial also ended with positive results. The study showed that men on finasteride were 24.8% less likely to develop prostate cancer compared to the placebo group. This trial was sponsored by Southwest Oncology Group (SOG) and funded by the National Cancer Institute. Our patients again contributed to this success, with 229 of them taking part.
• STAR Breast Prevention Trial. This ongoing trial (for which enrollment has ended) is studying Tamoxifen and Raloxifene for the prevention of breast cancer in high-risk, post-menopausal women. It is sponsored by the NSABP. The Duluth CCOP enrolled 122 study participants.
• SELECT Prostate Prevention Trial. This ongoing trial involves testing the effects of Selenium and Vitamin E in the prevention of prostate cancer. This trial is being conducted through the Duluth CCOP affiliation with Southwest Oncology Group, and has enrolled 136 SMDC Cancer Center patients.
• N9741. This large, nationwide advanced colorectal trial demonstrated that Oxaliplatin, added to the gold standard treatment—5-FU and Leukovorin—significantly increases survival. This finding led oncologists to add Oxaliplatin to the first line of treatment for advanced colorectal cancer. With 45 participants, the Duluth CCOP had one of the highest enrollments of any site in this study.

SMDC Cancer Center patients have also contributed to the development of other groundbreaking drugs through their participation in clinical trials. These new drugs have included adriamycin, cytoxan, taxol and herceptin for breast cancer, as well as 5-FU, Leukovorin and CPT-11 for colorectal cancer.