HopeHealth has achieved a significant milestone by launching its first clinical trial site, participating in a pivotal phase 3 study sponsored by Bristol Myers Squibb to evaluate deucravacitinib as a potential treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus. The Florence, South Carolina-based healthcare organization has successfully enrolled patients in the trial, marking an important advancement in expanding clinical research access to medically underserved communities.
Investigating Deucravacitinib for Lupus Treatment
The phase 3 clinical study aims to evaluate whether the investigational oral medication deucravacitinib can reduce disease activity and symptoms in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. SLE is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks healthy tissues, often causing inflammation, pain, and organ damage. Deucravacitinib is currently approved to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis but has not yet been approved for SLE.
The trial is part of a larger phase 3 program designed to determine the drug's efficacy in lupus patients. Dr. Supen Patel, a rheumatologist at HopeHealth, is serving as the principal investigator for the study. "Participating in this study allows our patients to be part of something bigger, research that could influence how lupus is treated for years to come," said Dr. Patel. "It's an exciting time in rheumatology, and I'm honored to help lead this effort for HopeHealth."
Addressing Healthcare Disparities
The clinical study represents an important advancement in improving potential future treatment options for SLE, which disproportionately impacts medically underserved communities. HopeHealth's participation addresses significant barriers that many patients face in accessing research opportunities, including the need to travel to healthcare systems far from their communities.
"This additional support from BMS puts HopeHealth and our communities at the scientific forefront," said Edward Behling, MD, FAAFP, HopeHealth chief medical officer. "We're proud to conduct research that could improve treatment options for lupus patients while reinforcing our commitment to improving our care options in our communities that need it most here in the Pee Dee."
Community Engagement and Support
Bristol Myers Squibb has provided comprehensive support to establish the clinical trial site, including site readiness training for HopeHealth staff. The pharmaceutical company has also initiated a collaboration with a faith-based organization to expand local engagement and train community health workers, ultimately promoting awareness of lupus and empowering community members to actively participate in the research.
"HopeHealth is enrolling patients into a critical study, and BMS is proud to have supported the site, which speaks to our unwavering commitment to expanding community access to clinical trials," said Andrew Whitehead, vice president and head of Population Health at BMS. "Many patients face barriers to accessing research opportunities, like having to take off time to travel to healthcare systems far from their community. At BMS, we're working to change that."
Expanding Research Capacity
This milestone represents a significant expansion of HopeHealth's research capacity and reinforces the organization's commitment to providing comprehensive care to its patient population. Dr. Patel, who leads HopeHealth's growing rheumatology program, has played a key role in expanding the organization's specialty services, providing expert care to patients across the state who would otherwise lack access to rheumatologic treatment.
HopeHealth serves as the healthcare home for nearly 85,000 patients across Florence, Aiken, Clarendon, Orangeburg, and Williamsburg Counties in South Carolina. The organization's participation in clinical research represents an investment in ensuring that clinical studies include the populations most affected by disease, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
