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Oncology

Cancer research leads to better outcomes

We study the full spectrum of cancer care, from prevention, screening and early detection to diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. The results of these studies are shared around the world to improve patient care. Our experts bring research and training experience from a variety of specialties, including:

  • Early-Phase Therapeutics Program (EPTP)
  • Phase II/III clinical trials
  • Pre-clinical research
  • Clinical quality projects
  • Investigator-initiated trials
  • Patient-reported outcome measures
  • Partnership networks
  • Survey research

Our Cancer Research Center partners with HealthPartners clinics and hospitals to integrate clinical research and quality improvement into routine care close to home. Our Early-Phase Therapeutics Program, also known as a Phase 1 Program, debuted in late 2015 at HealthPartners Cancer Center at Regions Hospital. These trials give patients local access to leading-edge treatment options that, in the past, required extensive travel to other health care organizations.

Our annual summary highlights recent work in cancer research.

We have numerous active trials:

Investigators

*Cancer research leadership

Key projects

Making clinical trials more equitable

We are taking steps to ensure our work is equitable and supports the diverse communities we serve. We recently joined a project led by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC). We are one of 75 research sites invited to participate in an implicit bias training aimed at reducing barriers to clinical research opportunities. We will also pilot a self-assessment tool from ASCO and ACCC intended to improve policies, procedures, and programs that may inadvertently hinder participation in trials.

The impact of cannabis for patients with cancer

Medical cannabis has been shown to reduce pain, nausea and anxiety for patients with cancer.  To fully understand the opportunities and barriers of medical cannabis in cancer care requires research. We are involved in several studies as well as education programs to increase knowledge of this evolving area. Since 2016, we have led a state-wide Cannabis in Cancer workgroup with the Minnesota Department of Health, University of Minnesota, Mayo Clinic, Minnesota Medical Solutions (Vireo Health), and LeafLine Labs. This workgroup has helped to create research opportunities for patients; publish results in peer-reviewed journals; and obtain grant funding. Learn more about our medical cannabis research.

Studying new breast cancer treatments

About 80% of breast cancers are ER-positive (ER+), which means the cancer cells grow in response to the hormone estrogen. Endocrine therapy is the standard treatment in these tumors and includes the use of drugs to block the effects of estrogen on cancer cells. We’re testing a new drug called TTC-352, developed for patients whose breast cancer no longer responds to endocrine therapy. Results of a Phase 1 clinical trial in women with ER+ metastatic breast cancer showed the drug was safe and resulted in 43% of patients having stable disease. Now we are combining TTC-352 with everolimus to see if this combination is effective in cancer cells that do not respond to fulvestrant, a common endocrine therapy.

Bringing treatment for rare form of melanoma to the Midwest

Currently, there are very few clinical trials for uveal melanoma available in the United States, with almost all of them at health care systems on the coasts. Uveal melanoma is a type of melanoma found in the iris, ciliary body, or choroid of the eye. It is a relatively rare disease that is always fatal when it becomes metastatic (spreads to other parts of the body). We recently launched a study for uveal melanoma to find the most effective doses with the least amount of side effects. It will be one of only a few studies available in the Midwest providing patients from the Twin Cities and surrounding areas the opportunity to receive this unique potential treatment close to home.

Opioids and cancer

Patients with advanced cancer are often treated with opioids to manage pain. Our research aims to understand the impact of opioid use on survival and quality of life. Studies show signaling through the mu-opioid receptor (MOP-R) may lead to increased growth and spread of cancer. A grant from Regions Hospital supported internal collaboration with our pathology team to develop and validate a novel MOP-R immunohistochemical (IHC) assay to easily assess the expression of MOP-R on cancer cells. Ongoing efforts will enhance our assay with plans to analyze additional tumor types.

HealthPartners joins national cancer research database

HealthPartners Institute is part of a national effort to learn more about how to prevent and treat cancer. Funded by a $12 million grant from the National Cancer Institute, our researchers are analyzing blood, urine and saliva samples from 20,000 patients. Other organizations participating in the research include Henry Ford Health System in Michigan, Marshfield Clinics Research Institute in Wisconsin, Kaiser Permanente, Sanford Health, and the University of Illinois – Chicago.

 

Key publications

Learn more about our cancer investigators and their publications by visiting the Knowledge Exchange.