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Oncologists and cancer clinical researchers from across Virginia came together at VCU Massey Cancer Center’s 4^th annual Cancer Symposium and Clinical Research Affiliation Network Retreat on April 8 and 9 at the Wyndham Virginia Crossings Hotel and Conference Center in Glen Allen, VA. With the goal of fostering deeper collaboration and knowledge sharing to improve cancer care and increase access to clinical trials throughout the state, the conference also provided continued professional education for clinicians and facilitated the operations of Massey’s Clinical Research Affiliation Network, which brings Massey’s clinical trials to eight affiliated community hospitals and oncology practices in Fredericksburg, Lynchburg, Petersburg, Metro Richmond, South Hill and Winchester.  

Director of VCU Massey Cancer Center Gordon Ginder, M.D., and Khalid Matin, M.D., medical director of community oncology and clinical research affiliations at Massey, welcomed the more than 100 clinicians from around the Commonwealth who attended Friday’s symposium. The symposium featured a series of presentations by Massey experts as well as a keynote presentation on immunotherapies for the treatment of pancreatic cancer by Lei Zheng, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of oncology and surgery in the departments of Oncology and Surgery at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, the Skip Viragh Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research and Clinical Care and the Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Lei Zheng, M.D., Ph.D., Gordon Ginder, M.D., and Steven Grossman, M.D., Ph.D.

Massey’s speakers included hematologist-oncologist J. Christian Barrett, M.D., associate professor in the Division of Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Care, who presented on managing microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, and medical oncologist Andrew Poklepovic, M.D., assistant professor in the Division of Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Care and member of the Developmental Therapeutics research program, who spoke about advancements in melanoma treatment.  Surgical oncologist Harry Bear, M.D., Ph.D., provided closing remarks.

The Clinical Research Affiliate Network Retreat focused on clinical trials, specifically about bringing NCI-sponsored clinical trials to patients in their own communities through Massey’s NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP). The day combined exciting discussions about current and upcoming clinical trials with administrative workshops designed to keep collaboration focused and productive throughout the network.

“We’d like to thank all of our peer physicians, nurses, staff and researchers who attended the symposium and the retreat, as well as all our affiliates who help us provide cutting-edge clinical trials to more patients across Virginia,” said Matin. “This conference has grown each year, and it’s exciting to see so many health care providers and researchers unite toward the common goal of improving cancer care in our state.”

Written by: John Wallace