Brain Tumor Treatment and Rehabilitation Center at Hackensack Meridian JFK University Medical Center Currently Enrolling Patients in Three Neuro-Oncology Clinical Trials

Brain Tumor Treatment and Rehabilitation Center at Hackensack Meridian JFK University Medical Center Currently Enrolling Patients in Three Neuro-Oncology Clinical Trials

Neuro-Oncologists Offer New Hope for Patients with Brain Tumors

The Brain Tumor Treatment and Rehabilitation Center at Hackensack Meridian JFK University Medical Center — a comprehensive and technologically advanced program for the diagnosis and management of brain and spinal cord tumors – is currently enrolling qualifying patients in three brain tumor/neuro-oncology clinical trials. The Center is co-located with JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute which allows for a full spectrum of care from diagnosis through recovery at one location.

• A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Phase 3 Study of Enzastaurin Added to Temozolomide During and Following Radiation Therapy in Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma Patients Who Possess the Novel Genomic Biomarker DGM1 (Denovo Biopharma). This randomized trial is for patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma. The patients receive standard of care as well as study medication. The trial compares the timing of the study medication to standard of care treatment.
• EF-32 TRIDENT: A Pivotal, Randomized, Open-Label Study of Optune (TTFields, 200kHz) Concomitant with Radiation Therapy and Temozolomide for the Treatment of Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma (Novocure). This trial is for patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma. This is a randomized trial of concomitant chemoradiotherapy with the Optune device (a novel therapy which sends low level treating fields to the tumor to prevent growth) compared to utilizing the Optune device along with maintenance chemotherapy alone.
• EF-25 METIS: A Pivotal, Open-Label, Randomized Study of Radiosurgery with or without Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) for 1-10 Brain Metastases from Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) (Novocure). This trial is for patients with brain lesions from non-small cell lung cancer. This trial is a randomized trial to receive focused radiation to the brain lesions with or without the Optune device (a novel therapy which sends low level treating fields to the lesions to prevent growth).

The Brain Tumor Treatment and Rehabilitation Center at JFK is one of many sites throughout the Hackensack Meridian network offering groundbreaking care for patients with cancer. It is associated with the John Theurer Cancer Center (JTCC) at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey, part of the NCI-designated Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center. Patients have access to clinical trials of the most promising novel therapies years before they become widely available without the need to travel far from home. 

“As part of our mission to deliver leading-edge neuro-oncology care close to home for New Jersey residents, we are proud to provide our patients with access to some of the nation’s most promising brain tumor clinical trials,” said Joseph Landolfi, D.O, CPE, vice president, chief medical officer and division chief of Neuro-Oncology and Radiosurgery at JFK University Medical Center, who serves as principal investigator on the division’s clinical trials. “In addition, we offer some of the latest neuro-oncology treatment options, including stereotactic radiosurgery using Gamma Knife and Surgical Theater’s Virtual Reality (VR) technology.”

The ICON, JFK's most advanced Gamma Knife, is one of only a few in the state of New Jersey which provides advanced treatment of brain tumors and other neurological conditions. It provides the option of using a head frame or frameless mask, which can mean more comfort to the patient without losing precision. Because it uses radiosurgery

technology and requires no incision, advantages of Gamma Knife include reduced treatment risks, improved quality of life and a faster recovery.

JFK is the only hospital in New Jersey — and one of only 10 institutions nationally — to use Surgical Theater’s VR technology. By taking conventional 2D medical imaging such as MRI and CT and combining it with simulation technology, the team can create a 360-degree VR reconstruction of an adult or pediatric patient’s brain. With a VR headset and joysticks, doctors and patients can then take a tour of the patient’s anatomy and pathology. Surgical Theater recently received FDA approval for the integration of its 3D VR technology with the operative microscope.

JFK is also doing innovative work in partnership with an Artificial Intelligence software company to allow for improved interpretation of brain tumor imaging (MRI), as well as studying the impact of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation on survival of post surgical brain tumor patients.

For more information about The Brain Tumor Treatment and Rehabilitation Center at JFK University Medical Center or how to enroll in the clinical trials, visit HMHBrain.com. To schedule an appointment, call 732-321-7010.