The Division of Research consolidates all of the basic science research and clinical trials that are conducted at The Cancer Center and the David Joseph Jurist Research Center for Tomorrows Children.

The division's basic science immunology research focuses on learning how and why cancer starts at the molecular level and how it progresses into disease. Some of the most exciting basic research under investigation at The Cancer Center involves the basic biology of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), a common, potentially fatal complication of stem cell transplantation. Stem cell transplantation is a treatment for some cancers and serious blood disorders, including leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, breast and ovarian cancer, myelodysplastic syndromes, and aplastic anemia. Our scientists were responsible for some of the breakthrough discoveries in GVHD over the past 25 years, including the fact that T cells cause GVHD. They are continuing these long-standing GVHD studies in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health, the Dana Farber Cancer Center in Boston, and the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.

In clinical research, there are more than 75 clinical trials currently under investigation at The Cancer Center. These focus on evaluating the safety and effectiveness of new medications, treatment methods, surgical techniques, medical and surgical technology, imaging studies, protocols for treatments, and medical devices in human volunteers. At The Cancer Center, there are clinical trials for almost every type of cancer and many serious blood disorders and immune deficiencies. All clinical trials and patients are tracked using the data management software Velos. We also operate a Tumor Bank, where samples of cells, tissue, and other anatomical structures are stored and analyzed for research purposes. Our clinical trials are conducted independently and in partnership with pharmaceutical companies, medical associations and agencies, the National Institutes of Health, and national groups of medical institutions sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, such as the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, the Southwest Oncology Group, the Radiation Oncology Group, and the Gynecologic Oncology Group.

The clinical research area of the Division of Research is structured into five sections:

• New Protocol Submissions: where all clinical trials are submitted and processed
• Quality Assurance: to ensure The Cancer Center follows all regulations of the Food and Drug Administration for clinical research
• Education: which includes the education of physicians, research nurses, and research data coordinators in what new trials are available, how the therapeutics being tested will work in patients, and in Good Clinical Practice and Good Laboratory Practice. This education includes bringing in experts for seminars, e-learning modules, and testing.
• Data Management: which can determine drug toxicity during trials, according to guidelines and subject to audits by the Food and Drug Administration
• Billing: to handle issues relating to all billing that is specific to clinical trials

Scientific discovery is a major component of the medical center's mission, as evidenced by partnerships with some of the nation's most prestigious research facilities. Hackensack University Medical Center is designated by the National Cancer Institute as a Community Clinical Oncology Program, one of only 50 in the nation and the only one in New Jersey. Research is conducted through The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, The Southwest Oncology Group, The Children's Oncology Group, The University of Rochester Cancer Center, and The National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project. The medical center is also a major teaching affiliate of The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School.

Research studies at Hackensack University Medical Center are supported by some of the nation's top funding sources - including The National Institutes of Health, The National Science Foundation, and The American Cancer Society - and from private foundations and corporations.

Clinical research brings patients closer to a cure and gives physicians the opportunity to use today's cutting-edge treatments to care for their patients. Clinical trials for patients with all types of cancer take place at The Cancer Center.

Translational and basic science research activities are conducted at The David Joseph Jurist Research Center for Tomorrows Children, one of the region's most advanced hospital-based research centers.

The center is named for David Joseph Jurist, co-president of The Tomorrow Children's Fund for pediatric cancer and the father of Eileen Jurist, who was treated for Hodgkin's disease at Hackensack University Medical Center's Tomorrows Children's Institute for Cancer and Blood Disorders. Mr. Jurist and his wife, Alice, are active participants in all of The Tomorrows Children's Fund's initiatives.

Highlights of The David Joseph Jurist Research Center for Tomorrows Children include laboratories for basic and clinical research; administrative offices; a vivarium, state-of-the-art operating rooms; and a lecture hall equipped with audio-visual technology and a telecommunications system.

The Tumor Registry (also called the Cancer Registry) is a data source for The Cancer Center for all reportable tumors that are diagnosed and/or treated here at our facility. The Tumor Registry is staffed by certified tumor registrars (CTR) and clerical staff who are data management experts. They interpret and collect a wide range of demographic, diagnostic, treatment, and follow-up information. This information is then submitted to state and national registries for use in research, treatment, and prevention initiatives. The Cancer Center's physicians, researchers, and healthcare administrators rely on this data to determine cancer patient populations and trends, measure outcomes, and formulate plans for quality improvement.

Choosing to participate in a clinical trial is an important personal decision. The following frequently asked questions (FAQs) are provided by the National Institutes of Health; they offer detailed information about clinical trials. It may also be helpful to speak with your physician, family members, or friends about deciding to join a trial. After identifying some trial options, the next step is to contact the study research staff and ask questions about specific trials.

Q. What is a clinical trial?
A. A clinical trial (also called clinical research) is a research study in human volunteers to answer specific health questions. Carefully conducted clinical trials are the fastest and safest way to find treatments that work in people and ways to improve health. Interventional trials determine which experimental treatments or new ways of using therapies are safe and effective under controlled environments. Observational trials address health issues in large groups of people or populations in natural settings.

Q. Why participate in a clinical trial?
A. Participants in clinical trials can play a more active role in their own healthcare, gain access to new research treatments before they are widely available, and help others by contributing to medical research.

Q. Who can participate in a clinical trial?
A. All clinical trials have guidelines about who can participate. Using inclusion/exclusion criteria is an important principle of medical research that helps to produce reliable results. The factors that allow someone to participate in a clinical trial are called “inclusion criteria.” Those that disallow someone from participating are called “exclusion criteria.” These criteria are based on such factors as age, gender, the type and stage of a disease, previous treatment history, and other medical conditions. Before joining a clinical trial, a participant must qualify for the study. Some research studies seek participants with illnesses or conditions to be studied in the trial, while others need healthy participants. It is important to note that inclusion and exclusion criteria are not used to reject people personally. Instead, the criteria are used to identify appropriate participants and keep them safe. The criteria help ensure that researchers will be able to answer the questions they plan to study.

Q. What happens during clinical trials?
A. The clinical trial process depends on the kind of trial being conducted. The clinical trial team includes doctors and nurses, as well as social workers and other healthcare professionals. They check the health of the participant at the beginning of the trial, give specific instructions for participating in the trial, monitor the participant carefully during the trial, and stay in touch after the trial is completed. Some clinical trials involve more tests and doctor visits than the participant would normally have for an illness or condition. For all types of trials, the participant works with a research team. Clinical trial participation is most successful when the protocol is carefully followed and there is frequent contact with the research staff.

You can find HUMC Cancer Center's personalized trialcheck website here. TrialCheck is a third party website that hosts all of HUMC Cancer Center's clinical trials. To find a clinical trial, answer the questions on TrialCheck's website and search accordingly.

If you have any problems or questions, contact DBryan@humed.com.