John Theurer Cancer Center Enrolls First Two Patients Nationwide for Groundbreaking Phase II Clinical Trial for Glioblastoma

HACKENSACK, N.J., Oct. 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Physicians at the John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack Meridian Health Hackensack University Medical Center have enrolled the first two patients nationwide in an international phase II clinical trial of Kazia Therapeutics's novel therapy, GDC-0084, for glioblastoma. 

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive form of primary brain cancer, with limited available FDA-approved treatments and a median survival of only 15 months from diagnosis. About 12,500 patients in the US are diagnosed with GBM each year, including Senator John McCain, who recently passed away from the disease.

The drug, GDC-0084, is being developed by the Australian biotech Kazia Therapeutics Limited (ASX: KZA; NASDAQ: KZIA) as an alternative treatment option for the two thirds of patients resistant to the mainstay of current pharmacological treatment for glioblastoma, temozolomide. GDC-0084 is an inhibitor of the PI3K signaling pathway, a change in DNA thought to drive growth of up to 90 percent of GBM cases.

"Precision treatment of GBM on a DNA level, or 'targeted therapy,' allows us to hone our attack on the tumor and minimize impact on healthy cells," said Samuel A. Goldlust, M.D., primary investigator and neuro-oncologist at the John Theurer Cancer Center. "We're proud to be leading the way in access to the most promising GBM therapies in collaboration with other top cancer centers nationwide."

GDC-0084 was granted Orphan Drug Designation by the US Food and Drug Administration, recognizing the drug as a potential treatment for a rare disease with high unmet patient need. 

To learn more about this trial (NCT number: NCT03522298) and for a list of trial locations, contact the study research staff using the contacts provided on clinicaltrials.gov. 

John Theurer Cancer Center has more than 350 ongoing clinical trials conducted independently and in partnership with research and pharmaceutical companies, research consortiums, patient advocacy groups, and the National Institutes of Health. Participating in a clinical trial allows patients to be among the first in the world to access potentially lifesaving therapies. 

For general information about clinical trials at John Theurer Cancer Center, visit JTCancerCenter.org or call 551-996-5834. 

ABOUT THE JOHN THEURER CANCER CENTER AT HACKENSACK UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER

John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center is New Jersey's largest and most comprehensive center dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, management, research, screenings, and preventive care as well as survivorship of patients with all types of cancers. The 14 specialized divisions covering the complete spectrum of cancer care have developed a close-knit team of medical, research, nursing, and support staff with specialized expertise that translates into more advanced, focused care for all patients. Each year, more people in the New Jersey/New York metropolitan area turn to the John Theurer Cancer Center for cancer care than to any other facility in New Jersey. Housed within a 775-bed not-for-profit teaching, tertiary care, and research hospital, the John Theurer Cancer Center provides state-of-the-art technological advances, compassionate care, research innovations, medical expertise, and a full range of aftercare services that distinguish the John Theurer Cancer Center from other facilities. www.jtcancercenter.org.

ABOUT HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH

Hackensack Meridian Health is a leading not-for-profit health care organization that is the largest, most comprehensive and truly integrated health care network in New Jersey, offering a complete range of medical services, innovative research and life-enhancing care.

Hackensack Meridian Health comprises 16 hospitals from Bergen to Ocean counties, which includes three academic medical centers – Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, JFK Medical Center in Edison; two children's hospitals – Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital in Hackensack, K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital in Neptune; nine community hospitals – Ocean Medical Center in Brick, Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, Mountainside Medical Center in Montclair, Palisades Medical Center in North Bergen, Raritan Bay Medical Center in Perth Amboy, Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin, Bayshore Medical Center in Holmdel, Raritan Bay Medical Center in Old Bridge, and Pascack Valley Medical Center in Westwood; and two rehabilitation hospitals – JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute in Edison and Shore Rehabilitation Institute in Brick.

Additionally, the network has more than 450 patient care locations throughout the state which include ambulatory care centers, surgery centers, home health services, long-term care and assisted living communities, ambulance services, lifesaving air medical transportation, fitness and wellness centers, rehabilitation centers, urgent care centers and physician practice locations. Hackensack Meridian Health has 33,000 team members, and 6,500 physicians and is a distinguished leader in health care philanthropy, committed to the health and well-being of the communities it serves.

The network's notable distinctions include having one of only five major academic medical centers in the nation to receive Healthgrades America's 50 Best Hospitals Award for five or more consecutive years, four hospitals among the top 10 in New Jersey by U.S. News and World Report. Other honors include consistently achieving Magnet® recognition for nursing excellence from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, recipient of the John M. Eisenberg Award for Patient Safety and Quality from The Joint Commission and the National Quality Forum, a six-time recipient of Fortune's "100 Best Companies to Work For," one of the "20 Best Workplaces in Health Care" in the nation, and the number one "Best Place to Work for Women." The network was also named to Becker's Healthcare's "150 Top Places to Work in Healthcare/2018" list.

Hackensack Meridian Health partnered with Seton Hall University to launch the first private medical school in New Jersey – Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine at Seton Hall University – in more than 50 years to address a growing shortage of physicians and dramatic changes in health care delivery. Additionally, the network partnered with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer to find more cures for cancer faster while ensuring that patients have access to the highest quality, most individualized cancer care when and where they need it. Hackensack Meridian Health and Carrier Clinic, New Jersey's oldest and most respected behavioral health provider, signed a definitive agreement to merge.

Hackensack Meridian Health is a member of AllSpire Health Partners, an interstate consortium of leading health systems, to focus on the sharing of best practices in clinical care and achieving efficiencies.

SOURCE John Theurer Cancer Center