Timothy L. Cannon, MD named Chair-Elect of the American Society of Oncology TAPUR Steering Committee

April 24, 2020, Fairfax, VA – Inova Schar Cancer Institute physician, Dr. Timothy Cannon, was named Chair-elect of the Steering Committee for the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Targeted Agent of Profiling Utilization Registry (TAPUR) cancer research study. This highly innovative study is testing out dozens of new anticancer targeted therapies and attempting to match the right drug to each cancer patient based on their individual tumor genetic profile.

In 2015 ASCO launched the TAPUR study, a non-randomized clinical trial that aims to describe the performance (both safety and efficacy) of Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved, targeted anticancer drugs prescribed for treatment of patients with advanced cancer that has a potentially actionable genomic alteration. Dr. Cannon will lead the steering committee, the body to oversee study operations, establish data sharing and publication policies, review plans to add or remove drugs from the study, and approve participation of additional clinical study sites. There are currently 117 study sites across 20 states, and over 1600 patients have already participated in the TAPUR study. The Inova Schar Cancer Institute has been one of the leading institutions in the country enrolling patients onto this study, led by Dr. Cannon as part of Inova Schar’s Molecular Tumor Board program.

“This is a tremendous honor for Dr. Cannon,” said Dr. John Deeken, President of the Inova Schar. “Dr. Cannon has been an integral part of building our Inova Schar cancer program, especially in leading our Molecular Tumor Board. We are proud to see him represent Inova Schar alongside other nationally renowned cancer centers from across the country in this groundbreaking study.”

Currently, Dr. Cannon is the clinical director and moderator of Inova Schar’s Molecular Tumor Board. Comprised of physicians, oncologists, researchers, and genetic counselors, the Inova Schar Molecular Tumor Board convenes weekly to analyze advanced and rare primary cancers that may be amenable to targeted therapies. Inova Schar has been a TAPUR study site since 2017 and currently there 88 Inova Schar patients enrolled in the study.

“I am deeply honored to accept this position,” Dr. Cannon said. “I look forward to working with the Steering Group and collaborating with a team grounded in a passion for leading science and a shared goal of advancing cancer research and improving patient care.”

The Chair role in the TAPUR Steering Group will serve three one-year consecutive terms as Chair-Elect, Chair, and Immediate Past Chair.

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About Inova

Inova is Northern Virginia’s leading nonprofit healthcare provider, recognized in 2019 by U.S. News & World Report, which named Inova Fairfax Hospital the #1 hospital in the Washington, DC region. All five Inova hospitals were awarded ‘A’ grades for the fall 2019 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades, recognizing Inova’s achievements in protecting patients from harm and providing safer healthcare. Each of Inova’s five hospitals hold 5-star ratings from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), distinguishing Inova as the highest rated large health system in the U.S. Our mission is to provide world-class healthcare – every time, every touch – to each person in every community we have the privilege to serve. Inova’s 18,000 team members serve more than 2 million individuals annually through an integrated network of hospitals, primary and specialty care practices, emergency and urgent care centers, outpatient services and destination institutes. Inova is home to Northern Virginia’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Its hospitals have a total of 1,800 licensed beds. More information and statistics about Inova can be found at inova.org.

Contact:

Rachael Gleason, Communications Manager, Inova Center for Personalized Health, Rachael.Gleason@inova.org, 571-472-0229