After two years of work and the involvement of over 40 professionals from the S. Croce e Carle Hospital, coordinated by the Hematology department directed by Prof. Massimo Massaia, the general director Livio Tranchida sent AIFA the self-certification which certifies that the The company has the requirements to conduct phase I clinical trials, becoming the fourth hospital in Piedmont, after Candiolo, Turin and Alessandria, capable of offering patients with blood cancers the most advanced treatment opportunities.
“It was a very demanding job – explains Professor Massaia – because the legislation is very strict and the requirements are very stringent to protect patients first and foremost. The result was achieved with the joint effort and commitment of numerous specialists in addition to haematologists, such as pharmacists, resuscitators, radiologists, but also with the support of services such as the quality office, clinical engineering, IT, technical service, health management and many others”.
Among other things, it was necessary to acquire new equipment, train a group of doctors and nurses dedicated to phase I studies who will have to remain constantly updated, specifically equip Hematology rooms and spaces by creating dedicated paths with the other structures involved and stipulate agreements with other phase I centers to guarantee continuity of care in all circumstances and much more.
Massaia concludes: “Phase I clinical trials represent the most advanced sector of clinical research and are the only ones that can guarantee benefits to patients when phase II and III trials or conventional therapies have failed. It is a duty for a highly specialized hospital like S. Croce to offer these treatment opportunities, for now only to hematological patients, but later also to patients with other pathologies.”.
Satisfaction also from Livio Tranchidageneral director of S. Croce and Carle: “Our Company is at the top in research, with very high-level studies and has always invested and today is investing even more human and economic resources in the most advanced sectors of clinical studies, with the aim of finding treatments to deal with pathologies for which, until not long ago, there was no hope. I thank the commitment, which often also passes through personal abnegation, of many professionals who believe in the Company and its potential”.
Special thanks to the AIL Paolo Rubino section of Cuneo and the CRC Foundation who co-financed the project. Considering the technical times of AIFA, the enrollment of the first patients is expected at the end of September.
