Altru Cancer Center Seeks Patients for Lung Cancer Vaccine Clinical Trial

Grand Forks, N.D. - Altru Cancer Center is seeking patients for a clinical trial for Curative-Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). The clinical trial is investigating whether a combination of drugs and experimental vaccine therapy could stop NSCLC from recurring, after a patient has surgery to remove the cancer, or from spreading to other parts of their body.

“Patients from across the region come to Altru Cancer Center seeking the latest and greatest treatments and interventions,” said Grant Seeger, MD, a radiation oncologist at Altru. “Our participation in this clinical trial will provide patients with an exciting opportunity to potentially aid in their recovery process.” 
NSCLCs are the most common type of lung cancer with nearly 8 in 10 cases falling into this category.  
“Lung cancer is one of the most common and most deadly diseases affecting our patients,” Dr. Seeger said. “A successful customized cancer vaccine could revolutionize the way we treat our patients and get them back to their lives.”   
Altru is one of the first health systems in the region to participate in this clinical trial. Altru's radiation oncologists are advancing this form of treatment and pairing it with Altru's cutting-edge technology. 
“With Altru's surgical expertise and access to ground-breaking advancements in treatment, this customized cancer vaccine has the potential to save many lives if it is successful,” said Dr. Seeger. “By participating in this clinical trial, our patients could help us advance technology for the next generation.”  
Patients seeking to be part of the clinical trial must meet the criteria and be referred by their oncologist.

About  Altru 

Based in Grand Forks, N.D., Altru is an independent, non-profit healthcare organization. We are physician-led, with over 300 providers and 55 specialties of care. Altru boasts an acute care hospital, specialty hospital, level II trauma center and more than two dozen practice locations throughout northwest Minnesota and northeast North Dakota. Altru was the first member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, extending Mayo Clinic expertise to the patients we serve. Altru employs over 3,400 staff and providers who are empowered to fulfill Altru’s mission – making a difference for those we care for. For more information, visit altru.org.