By investing in this unique partnership with Northwest Natural Health, we will advance our ability to provide cancer patients with the very best care that science can provide.
Seattle, WA (PRWEB) November 05, 2013
Northwest Natural Health Specialty Care Clinic (NNH) announced today it has been awarded a $560,000 research grant by Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company to conduct a multiple clinical site investigation into the use of natural medicine to mitigate a side effect of bortezomib (Velcade®), an FDA approved, new generation targeted chemotherapy approved for the treatment of multiple myeloma and other cancers.
NNH created the research protocol for this FDA approved, double blinded, placebo-controlled trial and will direct its implementation at 5 clinical research institutions: Swedish Cancer Institute (part of Swedish Medical Center) in Seattle WA, Island Hospital in Anacortes WA, Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital (Northstar Lodge) in Yakima WA, Cancer Care Northwest in Spokane WA, and Northwest Medical Specialties in Puyallup WA.
The trial will run for 2 years and focus on mitigating a potential side effect of Velcade®, peripheral neuropathy, a numbness of the fingers and toes. This clinical investigation utilizes a combination of a natural amino acid (amino acids are the building blocks of dietary protein) and a special form of a B vitamin to limit Velcade® induced neuropathy.
“This clinical trial is consistent with Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company’s commitment to continually improve cancer care,” said Randy Everett, Scientific Alliances & Research, Global Medical Affairs at Millennium. “By investing in this unique partnership with Northwest Natural Health Specialty Care Clinic, we will advance our ability to provide cancer patients with the very best care that science can provide.”
The principal investigators for this trial are Dan Labriola ND, director of NNH and Hakan Kaya MD, medical oncologist, hematologist and researcher at Cancer Care Northwest.
“Natural medicines have been used successfully throughout history to treat and prevent disease, relieve suffering and improve quality of life. This clinical trial will provide hard scientific data for one of the many opportunities to combine the best of both worlds, naturopathic care and conventional medicine,” said Labriola.
“Swedish Medical Center is best known for quality patient care but also conducts clinical research in many specialties,” said Marcel Loh, Interim Chief Executive Officer, Swedish Medical Center. “There are currently more than 600 clinical trials in progress at Swedish. This clinical trial partnership with Northwest Natural Health Clinic is one more example of how we strive to make healthcare as effective and efficient as possible.”
About Northwest Natural Health Clinic
Northwest Natural Health Clinic (NNH) and its founder, Dr. Labriola, have provided coordinated integrative care in outpatient and in-hospital settings for more than 28 years. The clinic is an internationally recognized expert in the safe and effective incorporation of the benefits of naturopathic care to improve treatment outcomes and patient quality of life. Their groundbreaking naturopathic approach especially benefits patients receiving specialty medical care for cancer, heart disease, neurologic, women's health, gastrointestinal, immune system, elder care issues and more. NNH naturopathic physicians are specially trained, accredited and published in major scientific journals.
About Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company
Millennium, the oncology arm of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, located in Cambridge Massachusetts, combines the innovative science of a leading American biopharmaceutical company with the global assets – both intellectual and fiscal – of Japan's largest pharmaceutical company. Millennium’s mission is to deliver extraordinary medicines like Velcade® for the treatment of multiple myeloma to patients throughout the world. Millennium is passionately committed to science, innovation and patient health.
Patient Safety Information
Vitamins, minerals, amino acids, herbs and other supplements can, in certain circumstances, interfere with treatments for cancer and other diseases. Patients should not self-treat with supplements outside of the controlled environment of this clinical trial without first discussing this with their physician.
For media inquiries, contact:
Laura E. Peterson
Five Spot Health Communications
For: Northwest Natural Health Clinic
6135 Seaview Avenue Northwest #300 Seattle, WA 98107
Seattle, WA 98107
Phone: 425.890.0095
