WCHN, MSK partner in breast cancer clinical trials

Norwalk Hospital, part of Western Connecticut Health Network, has launched four new breast cancer clinical trials in partnership with the New York’s Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK).

The collaboration is overseen by oncologists from the C. Anthony and Jean Whittingham Cancer Center at Norwalk Hospital and MSK. The hospital says it is the first in Connecticut to offer the four trials.

Norwalk first announced its partnership with MSK late last year. Hartford HealthCare also works with MSK and has been conducting cancer trials for several years as the charter member of the MSK Cancer Alliance.

WCHN said its trials will examine the impact of novel immunotherapies for treatment of triple negative breast cancer, an aggressive form of the disease that is not treated with hormone therapies or cancer-fighting drugs that target breast cancer growth.

The project is led by Dr. Linda Vahdat, who serves as chief of medical oncology and clinical director of cancer services at Norwalk Hospital and breast medical oncologist at MSK.

“Through these clinical trials, we have an opportunity to connect patients who have advanced and aggressive forms of breast cancer with world-class doctors and treatment options,” Vahdat in a statement.