The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston launched a clinical collaboration with Pfizer to study the use of immuno-oncology drugs to treat various solid tumors and blood cancers.
The organizations will assess the efficacy of various treatment combinations using three of Pfizer's investigational immunotherapies, among other drugs, through six different clinical trials.
An MD Anderson-Pfizer joint steering committee will oversee the trials, most of which will launch in late 2017.
"This alliance aims to define patients with solid tumors who may benefit from immunotherapy and to develop therapy resistance strategies," said Aung Naing, MD, associate professor of investigational cancer therapeutics at MD Anderson. "Our comprehensive approach will allow us to study new combinations of immunotherapy and standard therapies for patients with solid tumors in need of new treatment options."