Graham Cancer Center’s Commitment to Clinical Trials Opens Doors for Patients

When patients with cancer come through the doors of the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute, they’re not just receiving the most innovative treatment and helping shape the future of cancer care.

Nearly one in three patients at the Graham Cancer Center participates in cutting-edge clinical trials, a rate that is seven times the national average, and has earned the center a reputation as a powerhouse in cancer research, said Thomas Schwaab, M.D., Ph.D., Bank of America Endowed Medical Director of the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute.

Click here to get involved in cancer clinical trials at ChristianaCare.

“Robust participation in clinical trials speeds the advancement of innovative treatments while giving patients priority access to potentially lifesaving interventions,” Schwaab said.

“By enrolling in cancer research, our patients have access to the latest medical breakthroughs and simultaneously help build crucial insights that will extend survival and enhance well-being for patients with cancer in the future.”

Top-Tier Innovation Right in Delaware

In 2024 the Graham Cancer Center enrolled more than 1,100 patients in 110 clinical trials, reaching 35% of all patients diagnosed at ChristianaCare. Of these enrollments, 270 were made possible through the center’s active participation in the National Cancer Institute’s Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) and include clinical trials in treatment, cancer control, care delivery, screening, translational research and population health.

The center’s achievements earned it multiple honors in 2024. The Delaware/ChristianaCare NCORP received the prestigious Gold Award for Exceptional Achievement from the NCI. The Graham Cancer Center was also one of only 20 centers nationwide commended by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group-American College of Radiology Imaging Network Cancer Research Group for outstanding clinical performance.

ECOG-ACRIN specifically recognized the center for outstanding patient enrollment numbers, high investigator involvement, providing high-quality and timely trial data, and excellence in supplying tissue samples and imaging.

Prioritizing Patients, Contributing Nationally

As one of 46 community sites in NCORP, the Graham Cancer Center brings advanced treatments and prevention strategies to Delaware patients while contributing to national cancer research.

“Our mission is simple yet powerful: meet patients where they are and offer cutting-edge therapies in the comfort of their local setting,” said Gregory Masters, M.D., NCORP principal investigator at ChristianaCare.

The center has demonstrated particular strength in breast and colorectal cancer trials:

• In the TMIST mammography study, research teams enrolled 829 patients, consistently ranking the center among the top five U.S. NCORP enrolling sites.
• The center also enrolled 29 patients in the CompassHER2 pCR treatment trial and 53 patients in another screening study.
• For the COMET quality-of-life study examining communication and education in tumor profiling, the Graham Cancer Center ranked among the top three sites nationally, enrolling 47 patients.

The center’s doctors and researchers work together to transform scientific breakthroughs into actual treatments for patients. “By focusing on innovation, we’re pushing the boundaries of cancer treatment and providing our patients with the latest care options,” Schwaab said.

Caregivers at the Graham Cancer Center recently recognized leadership and advancement in clinical trials with an award ceremony.

Cancer Clinical Research Trials Award winners

Top Accruals for Pharmaceutical Trials: Jamil Khatri, M.D.

Gold Certificate of Excellence: Delaware/ChristianaCare NCORP

Gold Award for Cancer Control Accruals: Delaware/ChristianaCare NCORP

Gold Physician Accrual Awards:

Timothy Kegelman, M.D.

Srujitha Murukutla, M.D. (Beebe partner)

Su Park, M.D.

Adam Raben, M.D.

Gaurav Shukla, M.D.

Ramya Varadarajan, M.D.

Silver Physician Accrual Awards:

Dhaval Shah, M.D.

Gregory Masters, M.D.

Philip Margiotta, M.D.

Amy McGhee-Jez, M.D.

Silver Non-Physician Accrual Awards:

Emily Broadbent, PA-C

Mary Zimny, NP (Beebe partner)

Research Excellence and Service Award: Adam Raben, M.D. (above with Gregory Masters)

This award honors those are have shown dedication to ensuring quality research within our community through their contributions to the research program.

Michael J. Guarino Award: Tammy Layer, MSN, RN (above with Lauren Barone, MSN, RN, OCN, LNCC, and Christine Omwenga, MSN, MBA, RN, ONC)

This award is in memory of the late Michael J. Guarino and honors caregivers who show integrity and passion in their commitment to quality research through meaningful impact on patients and caregivers.

Community Excellence Service Award: Wilmington Mayor John Carney (above with Gregory Masters and Thomas Schwaab)

This award honors a person or group of persons who contributed to the science of research through community impact, making a difference through change.

Benefits of participating in cancer research trials

The National Cancer Institute reports that patients benefit from clinical trial participation with:

• Access to novel treatments
• Potential to benefit early if the study treatment is more effective than the standard care
• Close monitoring by the research team, as an additional layer of care
• Contributing to advancements that may help future patients.

The Graham Cancer Center has been a national model for cancer care, consistently outpacing national benchmarks in reducing deaths from several cancers, including ovarian and colorectal cancer. As one of the original NCI community cancer centers program sites in the United States, ChristianaCare has maintained accreditation from the Commission on Cancer since 1951.

To contribute to innovation at the Graham Cancer Center, click here.