Clinical cancer trial saved Erie man's life; fewer patients will have to travel for care

David Bruce, Erie Times-News
·4 min read
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Every 28 days, retired Erie firefighter and cancer survivor Michael Callahan used to drive 128 miles south to the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Pittsburgh.

It didn't matter how Callahan felt or whether a snowstorm was brewing, he and his wife, Mary, would get up before 6 a.m. to be in Pittsburgh in time for his scheduled bloodwork, diagnostic scans, prescription refill and doctor's visit.

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If the weather was expected to be really bad, the couple would stay overnight at their daughter's house in suburban Pittsburgh.

The trips to Pittsburgh were necessary because Callahan was part of a clinical trial for a new oral chemotherapy drug.

Michael Callahan, a 67-year-old retired Erie firefighter, shows the oral chemotherapy drug he took as part of a UPMC Hillman Cancer Center clinical trial to fight his neck and head cancer.
Michael Callahan, a 67-year-old retired Erie firefighter, shows the oral chemotherapy drug he took as part of a UPMC Hillman Cancer Center clinical trial to fight his neck and head cancer.

"It would kill our whole day," said Callahan, 67. "We'd try to schedule my appointments between 8 and 8:30, but we still wouldn't get home until 4 or 5 in the afternoon. I'd be pretty wiped out the next day."

Callahan, who was diagnosed in 2011 with head and neck cancer, was one of about 115 northwestern Pennsylvanians involved in various clinical trials in 2022 at the Pittsburgh-based cancer center.

Though some clinical trials are conducted at UPMC's Hillman Cancer Center-Erie, most local participants have had to travel regularly to Pittsburgh for their care. Not only does it take nearly five hours to drive back and forth, but patients also must pay for fuel, parking and food.

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Soon, far fewer clinical trial patients will have to travel to Pittsburgh. A $180,000 "down payment" from the Hamot Health Foundation will enable the Erie cancer center to expand its ability to care for cancer patients enrolled in clinical trials.

"Our goal is to double or triple the percentage of patients who can remain in Erie for their clinical trials," said Dr. Robert Ferris, director of the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. "This down payment will enable us to hire two more research coordinators and purchase equipment we need to participate in more early-stage clinical trials."

Michael Callahan, a 67-year-old retired Erie firefighter, sits with his wife, Mary, while discussing the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center clinical trial in which he participated to fight his neck and head cancer.
Michael Callahan, a 67-year-old retired Erie firefighter, sits with his wife, Mary, while discussing the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center clinical trial in which he participated to fight his neck and head cancer.

Hamot Health Foundation's initial payment will be followed by a $3 million fundraising campaign that will include selling naming rights for the Erie cancer center.

"Our goal is to have nearly all of the 400 to 500 clinical trials we offer to be available in Erie," Ferris said. "This expansion could increase the percentage to around 80%."

Callahan's battle with adenoid cystic carcinoma started with surgery that involved replacing the left portion of his jawbone with a bone from his lower left leg. He also underwent 30 rounds of radiation at the former Regional Cancer Center.

The cancer eventually spread to his lungs and behind his left eye. Doctors told Callahan that his body couldn't handle any more radiation.

"I was ready to say my goodbyes," Callahan said as he sat on his living room couch next to Mary Callahan.

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His medical oncologist, Dr. James Ohr, had one last weapon for Callahan. It was a new chemotherapy drug, but Callahan would have to go to Pittsburgh to participate in the clinical trial.

Though clinical trials often represent a last lifeline for cancer patients, Ohr said some decline to participate.

"We are talking about people who have cancer and they are likely fatigued," Ohr said. "Some of them work or they need transportation down to Pittsburgh. It's a lot."

But Callahan said he quickly agreed to join the clinical trial, pointing to a group of framed photos on his living room wall.

"Those are my five grandchildren and they all were born after I was diagnosed with cancer," Callahan said. "That's why I want to stick around. I want them to remember me and know who I was."

Since joining the clinical trial and taking the new drug, Callahan's tumors have stopped growing and he continues to live an active life, Ohr said.

"Mike's cancer is not in remission but his disease is well controlled and there is no evidence of disease progression," Ohr said. "He continues to enjoy a high quality of life."

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Callahan's clinical trial ended in late 2022 but he still takes the oral chemotherapy drug. He now has all of his tests and medical appointments at the Erie cancer center.

"The people down in Pittsburgh were wonderful, but it's so much easier to just go to the Erie center," Callahan said. "I'm in and out of there in less time than it used to take me to drive halfway down to Pittsburgh."

Contact David Bruce at dbruce@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNBruce.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie firefighter saved by UPMC Hillman Cancer Center clinical trial