Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health is the Lancaster County home of advanced medicine, and the Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute is leading the way with its deep integration into the University of Pennsylvania Health System! Together with Penn Medicine, we are at the forefront of lifesaving clinical research, proton therapy and CAR-T.
CAR-T
The ABBCI has treated our first two lymphoma patients with CAR-T therapy, the world’s first living drug, invented at Penn Medicine. This is a major milestone for our cancer institute and for community oncology! We have worked for over one year to bring the most cutting-edge therapy into the community—our community! Our first two CAR-T patients have now been through the entire process, so carefully and lovingly cared for at each complicated step along the way. We are happy to report that both patients successfully and safely received their CAR-T infusions as outpatients in the ABBCI Infusion Center. There were no complications or side effects. Both patients are doing very well. We are soon adding additional CAR-T treatments for multiple myeloma. We are also investigating new CAR-T treatments for additional diagnoses, such as pancreas cancer.
Such success is thanks to the high-functioning ABBCI CAR-T team led by Becky McCarron, Tim Beer and others, as well as David Porter, Robb Richards and the Penn Philadelphia Cellular (CAR-T) Therapy team! CAR-T in the Lancaster community is a whole Penn Cancer system effort. Thank you to our ABBCI leaders and our Penn Philadelphia partners!
Proton therapy
The proton team prepares for and welcomes our first patient.
The first patient was greeted with a plant, cake and fruit salad.
The Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute is the newest proton center in the United States, and the first at a community hospital. We are now treating adult cancer patients whose tumors are in hard to reach locations, are located near critical structures such as nerves or major blood vessels, and/or have previously received radiation therapy in the same area. Our proton center has the most up-to-date proton machine in the world, the first of its kind to go into service anywhere. Our experienced proton team was trained by the world-class proton team at the world’s largest and busiest proton center, Penn Medicine’s Roberts Proton Center in Philadelphia. With our beautiful center, our skilled and dedicated team, and our integration with the Roberts Center team, Lancaster area patients have access to world- class radiation therapy close to home.
Many thanks to Pam Boimel, Mel McCurdy, Nik Buescher, Jim Metz and so many others who have devoted countless hours to bringing the world’s most advanced radiation therapy to cancer patients in the community—our community. This is extraordinary!
Cancer clinical trials
The ABBCI Clinical Research Unit is happy to provide the following progress report:
- 40 total trials, 21 open and accruing new patients, 19 in active follow-up
- 128 patients on active trials and follow-up
- Eight staff members providing clinical trials care
- Plans for the James & Colette Hipolit CRU for Oncology finalized and soon to start construction
- In addition to many lung, gynecologic and GI trials, look for new trials in head/neck, breast, melanoma and other cancers.
Many thanks to Dr. Sam Kerr and the entire research team! You are on your way!