UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA HOSPITALS

Industry-sponsored cancer clinical trials in the U.S. have doubled, while federally supported trials remain flat, raising concerns over critical research gaps in cancer prevention, screening, and health disparities. Diversified funding and advocacy are needed to ensure all patient populations benefit.

Versamune HPV + pembrolizumab showed robust, durable responses in HPV16-positive HNSCC, with median OS of 30 months and high clinical activity in the VERSATILE-002 trial. Findings support phase 3 VERSATILE-003 study comparing this regimen with pembrolizumab monotherapy.

Dr. Naim Rashid received a $311,000 grant to develop an AI tool that recommends personalized clinical trials for pancreatic cancer patients, aiming to increase trial enrollment and reduce disparities.