The Oncology Research Program (ORP) of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) has recently awarded 5 grants to study the clinical efficacy of the investigational oral drug afatinib in various settings in solid tumors, including breast, non–small-cell lung (NSCLC), and head and neck cancers. The NCCN awards were funded through a $2-million grant provided by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, the drug developer. Afatinib is currently in phase 3 clinical trials of patients with NSCLC, head and neck, and breast cancers.
“NCCN ORP is pleased to announce the funding of 5 new afatinib investigator-initiated clinical research studies to be conducted at NCCN Member Institutions,” said Diane Paul, MS, RN, Vice President of the NCCN ORP. “These 5 new studies add to the more than 60 studies that are currently enrolling through the NCCN Oncology Research Program. These studies, conducted by NCCN Member Institutions, not only create opportunities for patients to participate in important clinical research, but also make scientific discoveries more attainable.” NCCN; September 4, 2012.
