Breakthroughs in cancer therapies have been gaining momentum over the last few years, and particularly in 2014 when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved 19 new cancer drugs. Sarah Cannon, HCA's global cancer enterprise, was instrumental in advancing 13 of these new therapies through clinical trials prior to their original FDA approval. Over its 20-year history of bringing clinical trials closer to patients in a community setting, Sarah Cannon has been able to see thousands of patients benefit from such new treatment options.
This past summer, two clinical trial participants, both battling a form of blood cancer known as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) were able to celebrate in a success of the newly approved oral drug, idelalisib (marketed under the name Zydelig). These two patients had more in common than most. Not only did they participate in the same clinical trial for the same type of blood cancer, they are also from the same family. Meet Marian and John- a mother and son who have benefitted from this new medical breakthrough together. Their uplifting story demonstrates how clinical trials really can make a difference in the fight against cancer.