Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Lifespan Renew Strategic Alliance Agreement

Timothy Babineau, MD

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Lifespan Cancer Institute have agreed to renew their strategic alliance to advance cancer treatment and research. Dana-Farber and the Lifespan Cancer Institute signed an initial agreement in 2017.

This renewed agreement will continue to support the expansion of clinical trials, access for Lifespan physicians to cancer-specific disease expertise for complex cases, and the continuation of a highly successful program coordinating the treatment of cell therapy and transplant patients. Cellular therapies and transplants are provided in Boston at Dana-Farber and care surrounding these procedures is provided in Providence at the Lifespan Cancer Institute. The two organizations share patient information through their respective secure electronic health record systems and use the same clinical trials management platform, resulting in better care coordination.

A top priority of Dana-Farber and the Lifespan Cancer Institute’s work together is the ability to offer the latest and most advanced clinical trials to patients in Rhode Island. While many of these trials are developed at and provided by Dana-Farber, opportunities exist for clinical trials to be developed at the Lifespan Cancer Institute and offered to Dana-Farber patients. Increasing access to diverse patient populations is a common goal to help accelerate the development of new therapies. Other areas to be explored include genomics and precision medicine, cancer disparities, innovation in the delivery of cancer care, and potential synergies in basic research. The two organizations have collaborated on a multi-site grant application for genomics with a health disparities component.

“The partnership between the Lifespan Cancer Institute and Dana-Farber has proven remarkably successful since it was first launched five years ago. While most patients receive outstanding care right here in Rhode Island – a reflection of how our institute has recruited world-class oncologists and dramatically expanded its program of clinical trials – some patients with rare cancers benefit greatly from our ability to provide them seamless referrals and highly coordinated care with Dana-Farber. We are proud to have so much to offer to all of our patients and to extend this fruitful relationship with one of the leading cancer centers in the nation,” said Timothy Babineau, MD, president and CEO of Lifespan.

“We are very pleased to continue our strategic alliance agreement with Lifespan Cancer Institute and execute on our mission to provide expert, compassionate and equitable care to patients with cancer, wherever they are from,” said Laurie H. Glimcher, MD, president and CEO of Dana-Farber. 

David Wazer, MD, director of the Lifespan Cancer Institute, said, “The Lifespan Cancer institute offers a robust array of cancer services, convenient access to care, and a rapidly growing clinical trials program. Renewing our close working relationship with Dana-Farber will allow the Lifespan Cancer Institute to continue to elevate cancer care in Rhode Island and provide even more treatment options, all in a carefully coordinated manner that prioritizes the needs of patients and their families.”

“The renewal of the agreement ensures that Rhode Island residents continue to have access to high quality cancer care and clinical trials from Dana-Farber. Our continuing relationships with the Lifespan Cancer Institute physicians enhances patient care and care coordination,” said Craig A. Bunnell, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Dana-Farber.

Howard Safran, MD, chief of the Division of Hematology/Oncology at the Lifespan Cancer Institute said, “Together the Lifespan Cancer Institute and Dana-Farber are expanding access to the latest and most advanced clinical trials for patients locally, nationally, and worldwide. We are also collaborating to accelerate the development of new therapies and to reduce cancer disparities through outreach and innovation in the delivery of cancer care. The two organizations share patient information through their respective cancer-specific electronic health record systems and use the same clinical trials management platform, resulting in better care coordination.”