Research and Precision Oncology
Cancer research highlights: accelerating progress
Thanks to your generosity, more people in our community have greater access to life-saving cancer care, groundbreaking research and cutting-edge clinical trials. With your support this past year we saw widespread impact across studies aimed at finding better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer.
Our integrated team of breast cancer experts supported by the Karen Ribeiro Breast Cancer Research Fund, leverage the latest technologies and clinical trials to ensure patients have access to the most recent advancements close to home. You helped support crucial breast cancer research, including:
EMBER-4: An oral pill that offers a more patient-friendly, non-invasive treatment option for breast cancer with potential to change the standard of care. Inova’s breast team was the top enrolling U.S. site for this trial.
EMBER-4: An oral pill that offers a more patient-friendly, non-invasive treatment option for breast cancer with potential to change the standard of care. Inova’s breast team was the top enrolling U.S. site for this trial.
COMPPRO Study: Explores whether proton therapy can be delivered over a short treatment schedule without increasing side effects, which could lead to reduced treatment time, lower costs and improved quality of life.
COMPPRO Study: Explores whether proton therapy can be delivered over a short treatment schedule without increasing side effects, which could lead to reduced treatment time, lower costs and improved quality of life.
Inova Radiation Oncology co-authored a practice-changing study demonstrating the benefit of proton therapy for head and neck cancer that was chosen as a prestigious plenary presentation at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting.
Inova Radiation Oncology co-authored a practice-changing study demonstrating the benefit of proton therapy for head and neck cancer that was chosen as a prestigious plenary presentation at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting.
Inova Mather Proton Therapy Center reaches key milestone: 5 years since opening!
Dr. Gary D. Mather and Christina Co Mather, Inova Foundation Board of Directors
In March of 2025, the Mather Proton Therapy Center celebrated its five-year anniversary since opening its doors. We treated our 1000th patient with proton therapy and are treating about 300-400 new patients each year. We also became the 8th institution in the world to join the IBA Dynamic Arc Consortium and will help develop research initiatives to bring this exciting new development in proton therapy to fruition.
The Mather Center has been a driving force behind the growth and progress we’re seeing in Inova Radiation Oncology at Schar Cancer, thanks to the generosity of Dr. Gary D. Mather and Mrs. Christina Co Mather. It’s because of their vision and support that we’ve become one of the nation’s leading radiation oncology programs.
Dr. Gary D. Mather, Inova Foundation Board of Directors
In March of 2025, the Mather Proton Therapy Center celebrated its five-year anniversary since opening its doors. We treated our 1000th patient with proton therapy and are treating about 300-400 new patients each year. We also became the 8th institution in the world to join the IBA Dynamic Arc Consortium and will help develop research initiatives to bring this exciting new development in proton therapy to fruition.
The Mather Center has been a driving force behind the growth and progress we’re seeing in Inova Radiation Oncology at Schar Cancer, thanks to the generosity of Dr. Gary D. Mather and Mrs. Christina Co Mather. It’s because of their vision and support that we’ve become one of the nation’s leading radiation oncology programs.
STEM CELL TRANSPLANT AND CELLULAR THERAPIES PROGRAM
Another first: new stem cell transplant program opens
- The only stem cell transplant and immunotherapy program in Northern Virginia
- 13 patients had successful stem cell transplants
- In concert with the launch of the program, the Inova Radiation Oncology and Mather Proton Therapy Center began offering Total Body Irradiation (TBI) to select patients. This specialized technique delivers a carefully measured radiation dose to the entire body to suppress the immune system and minimize the risk of rejection
- Support from the Randolph D. Rouse Foundation was key to our Phlebotomy Laboratory Expansion Project, which began serving patients in early 2025. This initiative enhances our blood collection and test preparation areas, improving efficiency and creating a more patient-centric environment.
Inova Molecular Tumor Board and Proteomics Program: a decade of impact in precision oncology
At Inova Schar Cancer, eligible patients and their family meet with the Molecular Tumor Board, led by Tim Cannon, MD, Sheridan Director, and his team of physicians, geneticists and other clinicians. The team provides recommendations using proteomics for treatment based on the genetic makeup and protein driver of the patient’s tumor. This application of precision oncology improves outcomes while minimizing side effects and preserving quality of life.
- Supported 1,007 patients in 2024, and more than 4,500 patients since 2015
- Patients receive customized plans incorporating immunotherapy, proton radiation and clinical trials to enhance outcomes. By meeting personally with the team, patients gain a better understanding of treatment options—another advantage to being treated at Inova since this is uncommon at other centers.
- We continue to be a lead institution for enrolling patients in the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s nationwide Targeted Agent and Profiling Utilization Registry (TAPUR) study, which matches patients with advanced cancers to specific therapies based on their molecular results.
Fighting Skin Cancer with Vaccine Innovation
This study investigates whether the combination of V940, a cancer vaccine, and pembrolizumab, an immunotherapy drug, can more effectively prevent the recurrence of skin cancer compared to standard treatments such as surgery and radiation. By exploring this innovative approach, the study aims to improve treatment outcomes for individuals who have undergone surgical removal of skin cancer.
