2022 RESEARCH UPDATE

In 2022, our research efforts continued to gather momentum as our investigators sought to gain new understandings of cancer so that we can ultimately find new treatments and cures for these devastating diseases. Here are some of our notable achievements from our Clinical Trials Office you helped make possible: active clinical studies

4 investigational pharmacy team members added (3 pharmacists and 1 pharmacy tech) subjects enrolled in clinical study; 102 in therapeutic clinical trials and 453 enrolled in additional studies

Launching the inaugural Schar Clinical Research internship with 6 interns selected from 50 competitive applicants

Largest communitybased enroller in the U.S. to a phase 3 breast cancer study for proton

8 new research investigators onboarded to support a total of 100 investigators new studies were activated publications and presentations at conferences therapy versus standard photon radiation. This study is designed to help discover if one type of radiation is better, about the same, or worse in terms of side effects, cure rates, length of life or quality of life after radiation

“When I had invasive skin cancer a few years ago I was asked by the folks at Inova Schar if I was interested in taking part in a research study. I immediately said yes, for two reasons. I would continue to get top-notch care and regular CT scans, and in my own way, I felt I might be helping others. ”

Jack Briggs, Inova Schar Cancer Institute patient

Meet Three of The Researchers Your Gifts Help Support

At Inova Schar Cancer Institute, many of our physicians, in addition to treating patients, are also investigating causes and treatments for many different types of cancers. We’d like to introduce you to three of our researchers and let them tell you, in their own words, about their work, what motivates them, and what it means for patients and our community.

Nagla Abdul Karim, MD, PhD

Director of Phase I Clinical Trials Inova

Schar Cancer Institute

Dr. Karim is on a mission. “I want to develop a better understanding of cancer so that we can create more personalized treatments for our patients. ”

As the Director of the Early Phase Developmental Therapeutics Program, Dr. Karim explains the importance of Phase 1 trials in cancer research and ultimately cancer care

“Phase 1 is the first step in testing how a drug interacts with the human body in the development of new treatments, ” says Karim. "At this stage, we are evaluating safety and determining the optimal dose with the least significant side effects in a small group of people. ”