Cancer Research Trials at Baptist
Baptist Memorial Healthcare Corporation (BMHCC) has 21 hospitals serving a large geographic area with an established coordinated oncology program based in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas. BMHCC has multiple practice sites and a coordinated clinical trial support system. BMHCC’s Baptist Cancer Center currently offers clinical trials in Memphis and surrounding area, Oxford, MS, Columbus, MS, and Jonesboro AR. No one is unaffected by cancer. However, the burden of cancer disproportionally affects those in racial and ethnic minorities, those living in rural areas, and those of lower socioeconomic status. To serve all patients from our large geographic area, Baptist Cancer Center (BCC) strategically plans trials that serve our population diversity to include underserved community members. Along with treatment trials, Cancer Care Delivery Research (CCDR) is a component of our comprehensive cancer program. CCDR researches how some factors, such as healthcare provider and individual behaviors, affect cancer outcomes and health and well-being of cancer patients and survivors.
Approximately 30 physicians have access to a broad spectrum of trials to treat most cancers. Specialized treatment is available through our accredited bone marrow transplant program and Malignant Hematology Clinic. Trials are conducted in collaboration with Vanderbilt Ingram-Cancer Center (VICC), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), large pharmaceutical companies, and research conducted by our own funded investigators. BCC is a member of SWOG (Southwestern Oncology Group) and an affiliated member of ECOG (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group) through our Vanderbilt affiliation.
To ensure accessibility to leading-edge trials, a panel of physicians from each Disease Site Group is engaged in seeking trials that will give our patients the best options available. To further that initiative, the Clinical Trials Committee reviews each trial and oversees the conduct of the trial. Disease Site Groups in breast, gastrointestinal, lung, and hematologic malignancies are a component of each multidisciplinary program. Tumor conferences are held regularly to discuss a customized comprehensive care plan for our patients.
As everywhere in the United States, clinical research is conducted in a highly ethical and open manner. This includes initial and ongoing review by an independent human research subject review board. This assures that all research is ethical, appropriate, high quality, and conducted with appropriate safeguards.