PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Weeks after successfully advocating for groundbreaking cancer treatment technology in Washington, U.S. Congressman Gabe Amo recently received an update from researchers in Rhode Island about how that technology is already having an impact throughout the country.
Congressman Amo — a member of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology — last week toured the TriSalus Life Sciences Translational Immunotherapy Laboratory at Lifespan and associated with Brown University. The Congressman was among the House and Senate members who worked with TriSalus Life Sciences and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to ensure continued reimbursement for the TriNav® Infusion system. TriNav can improve the delivery of cancer therapies into solid, hard-to-treat tumors of the liver.
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“It was inspiring to visit the Lifespan campus and get a firsthand look at how our federal government works with the private sector and our higher education institutions to diligently collaborate on cancer immunotherapy research,” said Congressman Gabe Amo. “Rhode Island is leading the way in scientific research and cancer prevention. I look forward to championing these priorities in Washington so we can advance more research and development in the Ocean State.”
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Brown Surgical Associates surgical oncologist, researcher, and TriSalus Life Sciences’ Chief Medical Officer, Steven C. Katz, MD, FACS, is leading the lab’s research and was among those who greeted Congressman Amo during his visit. Dr. Katz’s laboratory research endeavors focus on developing novel immunotherapy approaches for the treatment of liver and pancreatic tumors, which are historically hard to treat.
“Congressman Amo was instrumental in supporting the effort to maintain appropriate reimbursement from CMS for the delivery technology, ensuring that patients have access to this groundbreaking approach,” Dr. Katz said. “We were pleased to share with him that the technology is already having a positive impact on liver cancer patients throughout the country, based on the number of patients being treated and data indicating favorable clinical outcomes. Maintaining CMS reimbursement for TriNav has also enabled the company to progress our promising immunotherapy programs and to continue development of a delivery system for pancreatic tumors.”
“Working hand-in-hand with medical centers like Lifespan and with members of Congress, like Rep. Amo, who understand the need for this research, is vital in order to achieve the successful outcomes we all want,” Dr. Katz said. “We believe the work we’re doing here in Rhode Island in the Lab at Lifespan and Brown University can positively impact cancer patients, not only throughout the state but across the country.”
Dr. Katz is now seeing patients at 2 Dudley Street, Suite 470 in Providence, RI, and can be reached at 401-553-8305.
