Georgia Cancer Specialists Plays Major Role in Groundbreaking Clinical Trial

August 12, 2011 (ATLANTA) — Georgia Cancer Specialists (GCS) — a Top 10 cancer practice in the U.S. — contributed mightily to the groundbreaking BOLERO-2 clinical trial and was the lead accruing site in the Southeast.

The trial was a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of Everolimus in combination with Exemestane in the treatment of post-menopausal women with estrogen receptor positive locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer.

The Novartis drug Afinitor® (Everolimus) met the primary endpoint of Phase III study in women with advanced breast cancer. Results show that Everolimus in combination with Exemestane significantly extended progression-free survival (PFS), or time without tumor growth, when compared to placebo plus exemestane in women with advanced breast cancer who had previously failed hormone therapy. Among other biologic events, Everolimus was in essence able to reverse the resistance to hormonal therapy, thus opening the door for patients to once again respond to hormone treatment and postpone the need for chemotherapy.

The results of the BOLERO-2 trial will be presented at an upcoming medical conference in Stockholm, Sweden, and worldwide regulatory submissions to health authorities are being planned for 2011.

GCS is committed to making targeted cancer therapy accessible to as many patients as possible. With five research sites in Metro Atlanta, Macon, and Athens, GCS patients across the state were able to take part in the BOLERO-2 trial.

Georgia Cancer Specialists is a Top 10 private cancer practice in the U.S. and a leader in advanced cancer treatment and research. The practice supports more than 200,000 patient visits each year. GCS offers community-based medical oncology and hematology services and is the first private oncology practice to also provide a full range of support services for patients in Georgia, including nutritional counseling, pain management, wellness counseling, and home health coordination. The GCS research department, whose focus is bringing targeted cancer therapy to communities, is the first in Georgia to offer Phase I clinical trials, the most novel cancer therapies available. GCS has 28 offices, 44 physicians, and more than 500 support staff members located in Metro Atlanta, and North and Central Georgia. Georgia Cancer Specialists can be found on the web at www.gacancer.com. GCS is The Cancer Answer.