News Release

Mount Sinai researchers to present key cancer trial data at ASCO

Peer-Reviewed Publication

The Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine

(New York - May 26, 2015) Mount Sinai Health System faculty will be presenting research updates on a lymphoma vaccine clinical trial, the best dosing for a drug against metastatic cancer, and new treatment strategies in relapsed multiple myeloma at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting, May 29 - June 2, 2015, in Chicago. ASCO is the world's largest oncology meeting, with more than 25,000 researchers presenting their latest study results.

Key abstract presentations include:

* In situ vaccine for low-grade lymphoma: Combination of intratumoral Flt3L and poly-ICLC with low-Dose radiotherapy.

(Under Embargo Until SATURDAY, MAY 30, 8:00 a.m.)

Lymphomas are the 5th most incident cancer in the U.S. Low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas are incurable with standard therapy. In three previous trials of ‘in situ vaccination’ - combining low-dose radiotherapy with administration of a TLR9 agonist directly into the tumor, researchers demonstrated remissions, some lasting years. In a newer iteration of this approach being studied in an ongoing clinical trial at Mount Sinai, a novel component has been added to recruit essential immune cells called 'dendritic cells' to the patient’s tumor prior to administration of the TLR agonist. Preliminary results of this trial have shown patients achieving partial or complete clinical remissions, including patients with advanced stage disease. “TLR agonists work as immune cell stimulants to activate dendritic cells which are better at presenting antigens than any other cell types,” said Joshua Brody, Director, Lymphoma Immunotherapy Program, Assistant professor of Medicine, Hematology, and Medical Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. “This is the first vaccine that is administered directly into the tumor or in situ. We are training the immune system to fight cancer and the results we are seeing are very exciting. We hope to continue to see long-term remission in our patients.” (

Under Embargo Until SUNDAY, MAY 31, 8:00 a.m.)

Ajai Chari, MD, Associate Professor, Medicine, Hematology and Medical Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine, and Sundar Jagannath, MD, Director of the Multiple Myeloma Program at Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai and Professor of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine will present results from a Phase 2 clinical trial of the novel HDAC inhibitor panobinostat in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone as an effective strategy for treatment resistant multiple myeloma (MM). Previous clinical trials of panobinostat in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone have been effective but associated with increase gastrointestinal toxicity. “Our primary objective was to find the best overall response rate using a new dosing method,” said Dr. Chari. “We found impressive and durable responses even in lenalidomide refractory myeloma patients without gastrointestinal toxicity.”

* A randomized phase III study of standard vs. longer interval dosing of zoledronic acid in metastatic cancer.

(Under Embargo Until MONDAY, JUNE 1, 8:00 a.m.)

Charles Shapiro, MD, Director of Translational Breast Cancer Research at the Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai and Professor of Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai will present findings from a large multi-institutional trial of zoledronic acid intravenously for patients with breast, prostate and multiple myeloma cancer. 1,800 patients were given zoledronic acid every three months, for a total of eight doses versus the standard 24 monthly treatment. "This study proved to be a changing practice in treatment for patients with breast, prostate and multiple myeloma with skeletal metastases," said Dr. Shapiro. "The eight doses of zoledronic acid given over a two-year period provided comparable efficacy compared to the 24 monthly dosing in the reduction of skeletal related events such as pain, fractures, radiation to the bone and surgery to the bone." According to Shapiro, the zoledronic acid given to patients every three months was not inferior to IV zoledronic acid given monthly and should be adopted as the new standard of care in treating patients with skeletal metastases. The treatment provided patients with fewer side effects and was associated with a lower cost.

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About the Tisch Cancer Institute

The Tisch Cancer Institute (TCI) is a world-class translational cancer institute established in December 2007. TCI has recruited more than 30 acclaimed physicians and researchers specializing in basic research, clinical research, and population science; built outstanding programs in solid tumor oncology; enhanced existing robust programs in hematological malignancies; and advanced the study of cancer immunology and vaccine therapy. The completion of the Leon and Norma Hess Center for Science and Medicine in 2012 is enabling the recruitment of up to 20 additional cancer researchers on two full research floors, with 48,000 square feet of space dedicated to cancer research.

To learn more about clinical trials at Mount Sinai, visit http://icahn.mssm.edu/research/clinical-trials.

About the Mount Sinai Health System

The Mount Sinai Health System is an integrated health system committed to providing distinguished care, conducting transformative research, and advancing biomedical education. Structured around seven member hospital campuses and a single medical school, the Health System has an extensive ambulatory network and a range of inpatient and outpatient services--from community-based facilities to tertiary and quaternary care.

The System includes approximately 6,600 primary and specialty care physicians, 12-minority-owned free-standing ambulatory surgery centers, over 45 ambulatory practices throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, and Long Island, as well as 31 affiliated community health centers. Physicians are affiliated with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, which is ranked among the top 20 medical schools both in National Institutes of Health funding and by U.S. News & World Report.

For more information, visit http://www.mountsinai.org, or find Mount Sinai on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.


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