Louis M. Weiner, MD, director of the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, discusses the criteria required to become an NCI-designated cancer center.

In order to achieve NCI designation, a cancer center has to be innovative and demonstrate a capacity to conduct clinical meaningful and high-quality translational research. Translational research is a critical component of NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers, says Weiner. Moreover, these institutions have to have strong programs in place with regard to screening and treatment. They also have to be willing to take center stage, promote awareness, and assure that patients are receiving appropriate therapy, he adds. Community outreach and engagement is an integral piece of this.

Cancer career research enhancement and educational activities are another integral layer of such a designation, explains Weiner. This ensures that the next generation of providers and researchers are equipped with the proper tools to further cancer discovery. It is an arduous, but rewarding process, Weiner concludes.

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Dr. Weiner on the Criteria Required to Become an NCI-Designated Cancer Center

Louis M. Weiner, MD, Director, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Associate Vice President, Georgetown University Medical Center, discusses the mechanism of action for the antibody drug conjugate trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1), which combines the anti-HER2 antibody trastuzumab (Herceptin) with the cytotoxin mertansine, also called DM1.

Weiner explains that T-DM1 works in several different ways. First, trastuzumab selectively binds to HER2 receptors and is internalized by the cancer cell. In addition to the antitumor activity initiated by trastuzumab, once internalized by the cancer cell, DM1 is selectively liberated causing apoptosis.

T-DM1 demonstrated an impressive survival benefit in the phase III EMILIA trial, which compared T-DM1 to capecitabine plus lapatinib for women with HER2-positive locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer.

Dr. Louis Weiner, from Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, on the T-DM1 mechanism of action in HER2-positive breast cancer.

Dr. Weiner on the T-DM1 Mechanism of Action

Louis M. Weiner, MD, Director, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Associate Vice President, Georgetown University Medical Center, discusses the phase III EMILIA trial that investigated the antibody drug conjugate trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) for women with HER2 overexpressing locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer.

The trial enrolled 978 women who had ceased to respond to the trastuzumab, the parent compound of T-DM1. In the trial, patients were randomized 1:1 to receive either T-DM1 or the FDA-approved standard combination therapy of capecitabine and lapatinib.

Weiner explains that the trial demonstrated that T-DM1 is a highly effective treatment for women with HER2-positive breast cancer. Overall, the T-DM1 arm of the trial experienced fewer side effects, a higher probability of benefit, longer disease free survival, and met both of its co-primary endpoints of progression-free and overall survival.

The powerful results from the EMILIA trial will likely lead to a change in the way patients with HER2-positive breast cancer are managed, Weiner believes.

Dr. Louis Weiner, from the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Discusses the T-DM1 EMILIA Trial for HER2-Positive Breast Cancer. 

Louis M. Weiner, MD

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Dr. Weiner on the Criteria Required to Become an NCI-Designated Cancer Center

Dr. Weiner on the T-DM1 Mechanism of Action

Dr. Louis Weiner Discusses the T-DM1 EMILIA Trial