Founded by the Taylor Family Research Foundation, the Taylor Cancer Research Center (TCRC) located in the Toledo Clinic Cancer Center (TCCC) advances novel precision therapy opportunity via FDA sponsored clinical trials for cancer patients seeking novel personalized precision therapy. This technology engages cancer specific driver genes which are not involved in normal cell growth to kill cancer cells. Results have shown safe cancer specific killing and all trials are compliant with FDA permission for clinical investigative treatment. TCRC initiated its first trial opportunity 07/08/2024. Since then, 36 precision therapeutic trials have been opened (7 are in development). These involved 15-Phase 1, 4-Phase 2 and 17-Phase 3 trials. TCRC has enrolled 86 patients on therapeutic trials (17 NSCLC; 26 pancreatic, 7 colon; 3 melanoma, 3 cholangio; 6 lymphoma/myeloma, 4 gyn onc, 8 breast and 12 involving prostate, head/neck, small cell, skin and liver). TCRC currently also has 8 biomarker trials to determine sensitivity/resistance signals, 164 patients are enrolled. Shown below is the status of precision therapeutic trial patient accrual and biomarker assessment patient accrual.
Patient accrual snapshot, July 7, 2024–August 16, 2026: 86 participants in therapeutic trials and 164 participants in observational biomarker trials.
Opening Studies Faster
In 8 of the precision therapy trials, TCRC was the first to lead national accrual of new precision therapies investigated in the USA and TCRC was the first globally and nationally on a ninth precision therapy trial. Standard trial activation at non TCRC clinical trial sites typically takes 6-8 months (Bleu et al JCO Clin Ca Inform 2023). TCRC with the assistance of a unique Artificial Intelligence (AI) Enabled Platform has decreased the trial activation time to 16 days (Nemunaitis et al ASCO 2026). Study activation for Phase 3 trial activation is more difficult and can take up to and over 19 months at some academic centers (Williams et al JCO Oncology Proc 2020). Again utilizing the AI support at TCRC, Phase 3 trial activation only takes 17 days. Studies are brought in and activated at TCRC to serve patients when in need under FDA oversight. Oncologists at TCCC have integrated molecular biomarker signaling used to monitor cancer response and identify when experimental precision therapy may be a rationale option for patient care. Clinical trial opportunity is now an effective rapid option utilized by TCCC oncologists. “The principle we operate our program under for the benefit of the patient is reflected in Isiah 41:20… ‘See, Know, Consider, Understand to Create Opportunity,’” John Nemunaitis MD, TCRC Board Chair, CSO.