African-American Prostate Cancer Patients Sought for Clinical Trial
Researchers Aim to Advance Understanding of Disease, Response Among African-American Patients
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 4, 2001--Biotechnology companies Amgen Inc. and PRAECIS PHARMACEUTICALS are partnering with the Black Health Network, Inc. to enroll patients in a clinical trial of an investigational drug for prostate cancer, a disease that disproportionately affects African-American men.
``African-American men have reason to be concerned about prostate cancer, as they suffer from the highest incidence rates of any ethnic group in the United States and are twice as likely to die of the disease than white Americans,'' said Dr. Brian Stone, chief medical officer of the Black Health Network and assistant professor of urology at Columbia University. Research suggests that genetic factors and higher levels of testosterone may contribute to the higher rate of prostate cancer in African-American men.
To facilitate enrollment of this high-risk group, physicians who are part of the Black Health Network along with members of the urology section of the National Medical Association are conducting the trial in some communities with large African-American populations. The trial will seek to capture variations in response to hormonal therapies across ethnic groups.
The primary goal of the trial is to evaluate the effect on the size or volume of the prostate gland with either the investigational drug or a currently marketed hormonal therapy. In addition, the trial will measure the effect on testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA), as well as evaluate safety and tolerability.
African-American Prostate Cancer Patients Urged to Enroll
According to the American Cancer Society, each year about 18,500 African-American men are newly diagnosed with prostate cancer and approximately 6,100 die from the disease.
``African-American men are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced-stage prostate cancer where surgery and radiation may no longer be viable options,'' said Dr. Louis Sullivan, president of Morehouse School of Medicine, principal investigator of the National Black Leadership Initiative on Cancer, and former secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. ``So we are pleased that a trial is being conducted to study the effect of different agents and better understand the nature of the disease in various ethnic groups. We encourage African-American men to enroll.''
To be eligible to participate in this trial, patients must have localized prostate cancer with a prostate gland volume between 60 cc and 100 cc and be candidates for brachytherapy (radiation seeds) or external-beam radiation therapy. Candidates also must be 18 years of age or older and otherwise in good health to participate in the trial.
Researchers plan to enroll a total of 300 male subjects in the trial, which will be conducted over 15 months in 80 sites throughout the United States.
For further information, patients can visit www.amgentrials.com or call toll-free at 1-866-572-6436.
First-of-Its-Kind Video for African-American Prostate Cancer Patients Available
To help African-American men in their battle against prostate cancer, a first-of-its-kind video entitled ``Not By Myself: Talking About Prostate Cancer'' is available to help address their concerns. The ``Not By Myself'' video features: patients and their partners -- including former members of The Original 5th Dimension, Billy Davis Jr., a prostate cancer survivor, and wife Marilyn McCoo -- sharing their experiences with the disease; a discussion of common reactions to learning one has prostate cancer; and approaches for coping with the emotional and physical side effects of treatment. This video is a part of the ``Two Against One: Couples Battling Prostate Cancer'' educational initiative sponsored by Amgen and PRAECIS. |
