It’s no secret that Las Vegas struggles with healthcare access. According to the Southern Nevada Health District's health equity status report, Clark County ranks below the national and state percentages for many health measures.
That includes access to new medications and treatments that can potentially save lives.
UNLV is on a mission to change this and the Office of Clinical Trials is critical to making that happen. The office helps patients access clinical drug trials, cutting-edge treatments and medications, and emerging therapies by developing partnerships between UNLV researchers and medical professionals in the community.
Since 2017, the office has partnered with local hospitals, clinical and community research organizations, and others to support and advance more than 30 clinical drug trials at UNLV. This includes industry-sponsored projects, investigator-initiated studies, and research funded by federal agencies, in coordination with the UNLV Office of Sponsored Programs.
“Facilitating clinical trials here in Las Vegas provides an opportunity for our community to gain greater access to quality healthcare,” said Michelle Tomasino, director of the office. “Since the opening of the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine, we have established clinical research services that would help us facilitate feasible trials that target our community's unique needs and offer residents the opportunity to be a part of advanced medicine.”
For example, the office recently established a collaboration with Cure 4 the Kids to conduct rheumatology trials specifically for children diagnosed with lupus.
“The Office of Clinical Trials' impact over the past decade has been significant, and it’s on a path to continue driving positive change in healthcare,” said David Hatchett, vice president for research. “Through its innovative programs, trials, and services, the office is transforming the lives of the Las Vegas community by connecting them with healthcare resources.”
What it Takes to Launch a Clinical Trial
Because a trial can last anywhere from 8 to 15 years, depending on the complexity and availability of the medication, matching patients to the trial is key to its success.
The clinical trials team helps this time-consuming and complex process by reviewing the schedule or requirements for each trial and identifying any challenges the patient might face in receiving treatment.
For example, a potential hurdle for a recent trial related to eye diseases and disorders required monthly ophthalmology exams. To minimize inconvenience to patients, the clinical trials team looked for an ophthalmologist with offices in the Las Vegas Medical District. The team also sought a collaborator who understood how supporting the research could benefit both their own clinical knowledge and patient care.
They eventually identified Dr. Nataly Gammoh, founder of Vision Veinte Veinte and owner of The Eye Doc and T.E.D Optical Lab. By providing services to meet clinical trial protocol requirements, Gammoh’s practice is contributing to the advancement of medical research. And her patients gain access to cutting-edge treatments and technologies.
“Participating in clinical trials research is crucial for the development of new treatments and therapies that can improve patient outcomes,” Gammoh said. “It allows healthcare providers to stay at the forefront of medical advancements.”
Another important partner for the clinical trials team is UNLV’s own Student Wellness pharmacy. Several clinical trials are conducted directly through the on campus pharmacy.
When more custom-compounded medications are required, the clinical trials team partners with Solutions Specialty Pharmacy, one of only two pharmacies in Las Vegas prepared to manage, store, and dispense investigational drugs.
"It’s significant,” Tomasino said of her team’s role in expanding health care in the Las Vegas Valley. “This clinical trials infrastructure benefits not only UNLV but other local doctors and researchers as well by providing them with more options for their patients.”
The Future of Clinical Trials at UNLV
With the clinical trials program foundation now in place, the program will continue to be refined to better serve the needs of patients and the community to find solutions for prevalent and emerging health conditions.
One of the primary goals is to develop the on-site UNLV Student Wellness pharmacy into a one-stop location for dispensing medications and administering clinical trials.
Patients in the Las Vegas Valley can search and sign up for clinical trials at clinicaltrials.gov and learn more about active clinical trials on the Office of Clinical Trials website.
