From A Nurse's Perspective

by Denise Reinke, MS, NP

The December 2006 issue of ESUN launched this column. Since this regular column was first discussed there have been a number of developments that have required my full attention. One major responsibility I have is related to administratively overseeing the development and activation of clinical trials by the sarcoma consortium, SARC. SARC has been successful in developing several new clinical trial concepts that will study novel therapies for sarcoma. Understandably, this has been my priority.

SARC (Sarcoma Alliance for Research through Collaboration), is a non-for-profit consortium dedicated to facilitating the clinical research activities of many sarcoma specialists at the major sarcoma centers within the United States. SARC is committed to engaging all necessary resources to find better treatment options for those with sarcoma and ultimately to find a cure. Two new clinical trials are being developed by SARC that will involve international collaboration with sarcoma physicians. These physician researchers are committed to pooling their resources to answer clinical trial questions as quickly as possible to move forth new options for treatment. By including international sarcoma colleagues, SARC will further this mission to efficiently develop, activate and complete these clinical studies. The knowledge gained from clinical trials enables the next important steps to be identified which will help to establish new treatment options.  With many new compounds in development, these are very exciting times for sarcoma research and cancer research in general. SARC physicians have been very successful in collaborating with pharmaceutical companies that have these new agents to ensure that studies include patients with various subtypes of sarcoma.

Development and activation of a clinical trial involves a great deal of attention and effort to manage the multiple components for designing and activating a study. I have been fully engaged in these important activities. Recently, clinical trial funding has decreased and therefore these activities have become even more critical. SARC continues to be committed to this important endeavor and is actively seeking support for clinical research.

Given the current demands of this evolving, dynamic clinical trial environment, I will be unable to launch this column with this issue. However, in the June issue the first article will be published entitled, "Collaborative Practice: Partners in Caring". In this article I will explore the collaboration between nurses and physicians to deliver care to patients with sarcoma. I remain committed to providing information to patients and families who are dealing with a diagnosis of sarcoma and believe this forum is an excellent way to share information.

V4N2 ESUN Copyright © 2007 Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative.