Clinical Research at HonorHealth Research Institute
HonorHealth’s cancer research offers early access to trials, expert care, and support services, aiming to revolutionize cancer treatment globally.
Oncology Research & Clinical Trials
Our Area of Focus
The oncology clinical research program at HonorHealth Research Institute is a nationally recognized leader in advancing cancer care through innovative trials and personalized treatment. Since 2005, the Institute has conducted hundreds of studies across all phases, offering early access to promising therapies. Research at HonorHealth Research Institute spans a comprehensive spectrum of cancer types, reflecting its commitment to advancing care across diverse patient populations. This includes gastrointestinal cancers such as pancreatic, colorectal, biliary, gastric, and esophageal; cutaneous malignancies like melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma; and genitourinary cancers including prostate and bladder. The Institute also conducts studies in sarcomas, lung cancers—both small cell and non-small cell—and central nervous system cancers such as glioblastoma. Each area of focus is supported by targeted molecular research, immune-based therapies including cellular treatments, and innovative medical devices designed to enhance drug delivery. This broad and inclusive approach ensures that patients have access to the latest advancements in oncology, tailored to their specific diagnosis and needs.
Cancer Care Advances
HonorHealth Research Institute offers a dynamic and diverse portfolio of oncology clinical trials, bringing the latest advancements in cancer treatment directly to patients. Current studies include cellular therapies such as ACTengine® TCR-T cell therapy, which reprograms a patient’s immune cells to precisely target tumor antigens. The Institute is also exploring targeted therapies, including KRAS inhibitors in collaboration with Revolution Medicine, aimed at treating difficult-to-target mutations in cancers like pancreatic. A pioneering trial using Hepzato delivers chemotherapy directly into the liver to treat metastatic tumors with enhanced precision. In partnership with Exact Sciences, HonorHealth is conducting ACT trials that combine focused ultrasound with chemotherapy to improve treatment efficacy. Additional research includes radioligand therapies, which deliver radiation directly to cancer cells, and Alpha Tau, a novel radiation approach using alpha particles for highly targeted treatment, particularly in pancreatic cancer. The Organoid Program allows researchers to grow patient-derived tumor models and perform comprehensive genomic sequencing, enabling truly personalized therapy. These innovative trials reflect HonorHealth’s commitment to accelerating access to transformative treatments and improving outcomes across a broad spectrum of cancers.
HonorHealth’s remarkable achievements in Cancer research include:
Since its founding in 2005, the HonorHealth Research Institute (HRI) has become a nationally and internationally recognized leader in cancer research, transforming the way cancer is diagnosed and treated. Among its most significant contributions is the advancement of pancreatic cancer treatment. This includes its pivotal work on nab-paclitaxel combined with gemcitabine, now a standard first-line regimen, and the development of Onivyde, the first approved second-line therapy for pancreatic cancer, which improved survival without compromising quality of life. HRI was also the first to trial the triple combination of gemcitabine, nab-paclitaxel, and cisplatin, a regimen recently added to the NCCN guidelines, further validating its clinical impact.
Beyond pancreatic cancer, the Institute has contributed to the development and approval of Vismodegib (Erivedge), the first FDA-approved treatment for metastatic basal cell carcinoma, and has played a key role in trials involving pembrolizumab, a leading immunotherapy used across multiple cancer types, including melanoma and lung cancer. These achievements underscore HRI’s commitment to accelerating access to transformative therapies and improving outcomes for patients worldwide
Cancer Research Facts and Figures
The HonorHealth Research Institute maintains an active portfolio of approximately 120 oncology clinical trials at any given time, reflecting our robust commitment to advancing cancer research and treatment innovation.
In the last year, our researchers contributed to over 100 peer-reviewed oncology publications, underscoring our leadership in advancing scientific knowledge and clinical innovation.
In 2024, our oncology research program successfully enrolled 338 oncology patients into clinical trials, demonstrating strong engagement and trust from our patient community.
Our Cancer Programs
