PHILADELPHIA (May 13, 2019) – Fox Chase Cancer Center and Beijing Friendship Hospital in Beijing, China, have initiated a collaborative agreement that will provide both institutions with added capability in cancer clinical trials. Under the agreement, Fox Chase will provide consultative services intended to enhance Beijing Friendship Hospital’s existing clinical trial capabilities. In the future, the Chinese hospital hopes to expand its own trials, while serving as a site for Fox Chase to conduct studies suitable for multiple, diverse populations.
Elin R. Sigurdson, MD, PhD, FACS, FRCS (C), director of surgical oncology at Fox Chase, helped initiate the relationship between the two institutions. “This collaboration has the potential to expand access to clinical trials, and to strengthen the trials themselves, with robust patient accrual,” she said.
Richard I. Fisher, MD, president and CEO of Fox Chase Cancer Center, sees many advantages for all involved. “Our researchers are gaining access to a large pool of new patients for their clinical trials, their researchers are gaining opportunities to participate more extensively in clinical trials, and of course, patients in Beijing may have expanded access to novel cancer therapies,” he said.
This agreement is one of several projects Fox Chase has ongoing in China. The most recent is the development of a biosample repository in Chengdu, which provides collection, storage, and distribution of blood and tissue for scientific research. These initiatives are run by Fox Chase International, a division of the Center that works to export skills and expertise in cancer prevention, detection, and treatment, and to establish advanced cancer treatment centers abroad in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
Professor Zhongtao Zhang, MD, PhD, FACS, FRCS, deputy president of Beijing Friendship Hospital, said “Our hospital maintains high standards of research and patient care through cooperative relationships around the world, and I am especially enthusiastic about our new long-term collaboration with Fox Chase Cancer Center.”
The agreement was finalized at a recent meeting in Beijing attended by several leaders from both institutions.
“We are excited about the ways that this collaboration will enhance patient care and expand our clinical research capabilities,” said Professor Hongwei Yao, MD, PhD, deputy director of the department of gastrointestinal surgery at Beijing Friendship Hospital.
Fox Chase has about 300 active clinical trials currently enrolling patients across a wide range of cancers and therapies.