Access the latest cancer treatments by participating in a clinical trial

Karen, a 66-year-old from Northeast Tennessee, has battled HER 2+ breast cancer since September 2007. After many years of traditional treatment including chemotherapy and radiation, she enrolled on a clinical trial with Dr. Erika Hamilton, Director of Breast Cancer Research, SCRI and a medical oncologist for SCRI Oncology Partners in Nashville, Tenn.

During her time under Dr. Hamilton’s care, Karen enrolled on several clinical trials. Most recently, Dr. Hamilton suggested that Karen try an antibody drug conjugate (ADC) which is a targeted therapy that allows an antibody to bind to proteins on cancer cells, making it easier for the drug to enter a cancer cell and destroy it. ADCs are very targeted, allowing oncologists to use powerful therapies but target it directly to the cancer without harming healthy cells.

“Dr. Hamilton said that antibody drug conjugates are typically easier on the body and I happily obliged!” said Karen.

Karen has been on the antibody drug conjugate for nearly two years now, 42 rounds, and her side effects remain minimal. She continues to work full-time, volunteer in her community and keep up with her busy 16-year-old.

“I feel good! I do have a little hair thinning but for the most part I am able to maintain my life as normal. It has not affected my energy level which I am thankful for so that I can be a healthy, present mother with my daughter as we navigate all of the fun opportunities that high school has to offer.”

Now, in part due to patients like Karen who participate in clinical trials, the antibody drug conjugate is FDA-approved and available commercially to all patients facing cancer.

Several years ago, Theresa noticed a knot in her right breast, but at the time, she was caring for her mother and delayed visiting her doctor. Following her mother’s passing, Theresa noticed a new lump growing on the crown of her head and scheduled a biopsy with a dermatologist, which revealed a malignant growth. This ultimately led to her being diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer.

Following further testing, Theresa’s primary doctor explained that she was a candidate for a clinical trial at Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI) in Nashville, Tenn., where she met Erika Hamilton, MD, Director, Breast Cancer Research; Executive Chair, Breast Cancer Research Committee, SCRI, and began her clinical trial treatment journey under Dr. Hamilton’s supervision using a hormone blocker in combination with a PI3 kinase inhibitor in the first-line setting.

Theresa continues the trial with no visible disease on scans and has maintained a thriving and full life in her retirement. In fact, Theresa recently celebrated 100 months on her phase 1 clinical trial, and the care team at SCRI in Nashville surprised her with a cake to honor this incredible moment.

Mike, an avid amateur golfer, former college football player and a 20+ year NCAA football referee, was in excellent health when he awoke on December 12, 2018, and could not see out of his left eye. Mike is a husband, father to twin daughters, Ironman triathlete, successful business owner and, amongst other things, has even built an airplane from scratch in his workshop. Mike never let life slow him down.

“When I couldn’t see well out of my left eye, I thought I had just scratched my eye with something flying around in my workshop. I didn’t think anything of it and headed out to the golf course to walk 18 holes with my clubs on my back,” said Mike. “But on the 9^th hole, it became evident that I couldn’t see anything out of that eye. So, I walked off the course and went straight to my optometrist, who happened to be doing my required annual eye exams for NCAA Football.”

Mike was immediately referred to an ophthalmologist and then a retina specialist, who determined that Mike had uveal melanoma, or ocular melanoma, which is a kind of cancer that occurs in the eye and can easily spread to other parts of the body. The tumor within his eye had torn his retina, making left eyesight impossible.

Over the next year, Mike had nine eye surgeries, radiation in his eye and spent two months lying face down trying to save his vision. “My retina specialist, Dr. David A. Reichstein at Tennessee Retina, tried his best to save my sight, but his ultimate goal was to save my life. After a year-long battle, he was successful in saving my life, but my vision was permanently lost.”

Because his cancer could come back, Mike was referred to Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI) in February 2020 where he was monitored closely under the care of Meredith McKean, MD, MPH, Director of Melanoma and Skin Cancer Research. When scans revealed that the cancer had reemerged, this time in his liver, Mike was offered an option to go on a clinical trial specifically tailored to his cancer.

“I opted into the trial and began in September 2020, in the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. I made terrific friends with both staff and others facing cancer during this dark time. A few have lost the fight and I wear bracelets every day to remember their battle and remind myself that my fight means something – I wanted to share my story simply to show what is possible through modern medicine, professional healthcare and positive thinking.”

Over the coming months, Mike’s scans began to show a slow in the spread of his cancer and then, eventually, some shrinking of his tumors. He was able to resume daily life and activity but with a few side effects – dizziness, fatigue, joint inflammation and a stronger than usual appetite. He has received treatment, through IV, every other Monday for nearly two years now.

In January 2023, scans showed that the cancerous spots on his liver were nearly gone and he has had an excellent response to treatment. Mike will continue on his immunotherapy and stay under the close eye of Dr. McKean for check ups.

“Dr. McKean could not believe it and asked to see the results of the scans a second time! This is a medical breakthrough in the fight against cancer. The care I have received at SCRI has saved my life.”

While actively undergoing treatment, Mike continued doing what he loves, playing golf. He recently played in a qualifier for the U.S. Senior Open despite being blind in one eye.

“I missed the cut finishing mid pack out of the 84 in my qualifier, but I can say confidently that I was the best partially blind, stage IV cancer fighter, out there! I played the USGA qualifier just three days after my active, seven-hour immunotherapy treatment.  In total, I walked nine miles with 12,000 feet of vertical incline and decline throughout the golf course. I committed early on to find things that bring me joy and pursue those things and that is what I have done. Mindset is such a tool in the fight against cancer. I see a long, fruitful life ahead of me and I am so thankful for Sarah Cannon Research Institute and the power of clinical trials.”

“Participation in clinical trials should be the first step in fighting cancer, not the last.” – Howard “Skip” Burris, III, MD, President, Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI).

These words ring especially true for SCRI patient, Jim, who in April of 2024 was diagnosed with stage IV metastatic prostate cancer. In July 2024, after enrolling immediately on a clinical trial, scans showed little sign of disease.

Jim, a 20-year healthcare executive from Nashville, Tenn., had kept an eye on a nagging high prostate-specific antigen (PSA) score that recurred within his bloodwork. He and his primary care physician carefully watched the numbers and then within four months, the number tripled. A blood PSA score can indicate higher risk for prostate cancer and, ultimately in Jim’s case, indicted cancer. Jim immediately reached out to Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI) to determine his options.

Jim began care with Benjamin Garmezy, MD, Associate Director, Genitourinary Cancer Research, SCRI and Medical Oncologist, SCRI Oncology Partners who ordered additional testing and scans. These revealed stage IV metastatic prostate cancer with spread to lymph nodes, hips and spine.

“I was absolutely terrified. I didn’t know what to think and it’s still difficult to put into words what it is like to hear the word ‘cancer’,” Jim said. “You never think it is going to happen to you. Then when it does, you are paralyzed.”

Dr. Garmezy suggested an aggressive treatment – first by controlling his testosterone levels, which can fuel prostate cancer, followed by enrollment in a clinical trial aimed to target his type of cancer.

“I am very competitive, type-A personality and a fighter, but you can’t fight something that is internal by yourself. I was reeling from the diagnosis and needed someone to help me make a plan. Dr. Garmezy helped me get off the mat. With that first treatment, I felt like I was doing something to combat the cancer, I could finally fight. With a plan, I felt optimistic.”

Jim enrolled on a clinical trial to intensify his hormonal treatment which includes two daily oral medications and an injection every few months with very little side effects. “I was afraid I would have to trade my vitality to get better. I haven’t - which is amazing. I do have fatigue and a little GI upset but I’ve been able to work and vacation during my battle. I’m just so thankful to maintain quality of life.”

Within three months, Jim’s scans revealed that his cancer is nearly gone. His PSA score went from almost 80 and is now undetectable (a low level is under 4).

“This clinical trial has been a miracle for me and saved my life. I have so much life left to live. I was so fearful this was a death sentence. The people at SCRI have been so amazing to not only me, but to my caretaker as well.”

Jim will remain on the clinical trial as long as it continues to be effective. For Jim, a clinical trial was his first step in fighting cancer and has proven to be successful.

Michael, now age 38, was born with sickle cell disease, a blood disorder which causes the body to produce abnormally shaped red blood cells. Sickle cell disease affects approximately 1 out of every 365 Black or African-Americans – causing extremely painful crises that last days and sometimes weeks.

Historically, there have been few treatment options and the pain often disrupts everyday living – making it difficult to go to school, play sports and hold a full-time job.

Luckily, Michael’s mother is a nurse and was able to relieve his pain crises through IV treatments and helped him manage appropriate time limits for physical exertion. 

“I loved sports. I opted to be the water boy for my high school football team so that I got to travel with the team although I couldn’t play,” said Michael. “I was first told that I would die by my 18^th birthday and if I happened to live past that, I shouldn’t have children because I couldn’t be there for them as they grew up. This was simply not the life I saw for myself.”

Michael struggled with pain crises – oftentimes waiting in the local emergency room for 8-12 hours in hopes of being treated. “Sickle cell disease is especially tricky because you outwardly look fine but, on the inside, your red blood cells wreak havoc on your body. I’ve had fellow sickle cell friends die from a heart attack in the ER while waiting to be seen. I knew there had to be a better way.”

Michael beat the odds and went on to have three beautiful, healthy sons – none of whom have sickle cell disease. He chose to stay close to his mom and his hometown physician in rural Mississippi who helped him advocate for appropriate healthcare interventions. He went to community college and worked three jobs to provide for his family but then one day, everything changed.

“I went to my mom’s medical office on a Saturday to help her take care of a few things. I decided to put out the new health magazines in the waiting room.  As I arranged them, there was Victoria Gray on the cover of NPR sharing how she was free from any sickle cell disease symptoms through gene editing. The clinical trial was in Nashville at Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI). I couldn’t believe it- my mom and I had been praying for something just like this!”

Michael immediately decided to search for Victoria on Facebook. Since both Michael and Victoria are from Mississippi, she popped up right away. “Victoria was gracious in sharing with me guidance around the clinical trial option. We had so much in common – we are around the same age; we both have three children and we are both from rural Mississippi. If she could change her life, so could I.”

Michael began the clinical trial under the care of Haydar Frangoul, MD, MS, Medical Director of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, SCRI and TriStar Centennial Children’s Hospital. “When I found out I was accepted to the trial, my mom and I cried for 30 minutes. I traveled to Nashville every month and had fantastic results. I loved the people at SCRI and the culture of Nashville.”

Now, Michael hasn’t had a pain crisis in two years.

“Now, without these pain crises, I can dream dreams that I couldn’t dream before. Even my mother was able to retire once she knew that I had no symptoms of disease. I am so thankful to Dr. Frangoul and the whole care team. They each went above and beyond, and I’ll be forever grateful.”