THE WOODLANDS, Texas, April 30 /PRNewswire/ -- US Oncology, Inc., the nation’s leading integrated oncology company, announced today that a leading group of US Oncology affiliated scientists from the US Oncology Research network met with a select group of leading pharmaceutical companies on April 24 - 25, at the Grand Hyatt DFW in Fort Worth, Texas, for the Fifth Annual Cancer Drug Development Working Group. These leading scientific investigators are fundamental in bringing innovative cancer research to cancer patients in local communities throughout the United States.

“The US Oncology Research team is engaged in cutting-edge research to bring new therapies to cancer patients as early as possible in the drug development process,” said Joyce O’Shaughnessy, MD, co-chair of the US Oncology Breast Cancer Research Committee and medical director of the Breast Cancer Research Program at Texas Oncology-Baylor-Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center, a US Oncology affiliate in Dallas, Texas. “By conducting clinical trials on these investigational drugs in the community-setting, where the majority of people fight their cancer, we can provide cancer patients with more opportunities for a successful battle with their disease, and we can provide pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies more robust data based on real world outcomes from a general patient population. This feedback helps to bring better therapies to more patients, faster.”

The Cancer Drug Development Working Group is a collaborative forum uniting community, academic and scientific thought leaders in cancer research in the areas of breast, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, gynecology, lung and hematology. The combined working session format is designed to review new high-priority agents and discuss new clinical trial designs that focus on delivering the next generation of treatments to cancer patients.

“This is the same meeting where we finalized plans for the PARP1 inhibitor in combination with gemcitabine/carboplatin (G/C) in patients with metastatic triple negative breast cancer, which I had the honor of presenting in a plenary session at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting in June, 2009,” said Dr. O’Shaughnessy.

The two-day event is facilitated by staff from US Oncology Research to explore which investigational therapies have potential to be successful clinical trials in community oncology. Presentations were conducted by industry representatives from select leading pharmaceutical, biotechnology and diagnostic companies to discuss prioritization of new and emerging agents, novel diagnostics, clinical trial design, and access to new therapies. The industry representatives collaborate with the attending US Oncology affiliated clinical investigators and translational scientists on the development of key agents for cancer treatment, successful community-based clinical trial design and to identify key biomarkers and translational endpoints for future trials.

US Oncology Research has a long history of bringing successful clinical trials to cancer patients in local communities. Through its affiliation with approximately 80 oncology practices throughout the United States, the company has played a role in the development of 39 cancer therapies approved by the FDA. The US Oncology Research network typically has more than 200 active clinical trials at any given time. To find a clinical trial, or to join the US Oncology Research network, visit www.usoncology.com.

About US Oncology

US Oncology, Inc. is the nation’s leading integrated oncology company. By uniting the largest community-based cancer treatment and research network in America, US Oncology expands patient access to high-quality care and advances the science of cancer care. Headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas, US Oncology is affiliated with more than 1,300 community-based oncologists, and works with patients, hospitals, payers, and the medical industry across all phases of the cancer research and delivery continuum. By promoting the use of innovative technology, clinical research, evidence-based medicine and shared best practices, US Oncology improves patient outcomes and offers a better patient experience. For more information, visit www.usoncology.com.

About US Oncology Research

US Oncology conducts clinical research through US Oncology Research, its wholly-owned subsidiary and the nation’s largest community-based cancer research network. US Oncology Research has experienced investigators and dedicated research nurses who specialize in Phase I through Phase IV oncology clinical trials. US Oncology Research serves 80 sites in 200 locations managing more than 200 active trials at any given time. The research network has enrolled more than 41,500 patients in more than 680 trials since its inception and has contributed to the development of 39 cancer therapies approved by the FDA. For more information call (866) 216-5053 or visit www.usoncology.com/oncologists.

SOURCE US Oncology, Inc.