Summit Medical Group Research Aids in FDA Approval of Drug for Nasal Polyps

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, N.J., May 21, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Department of Ear Nose & Throat/Allergy at Summit Medical Group was part of a clinical trial that led the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to approve XHANCEtm (fluticasone proprionate), a nasal spray for the treatment of nasal polyps in patients 18 years of age or older. Nearly 10 million people in the U.S. suffer from the benign growths that block the nasal passages and cause congestion, pain and pressure, sinus infections, and difficulty breathing.

"Nasal polyps are a notoriously difficult problem to treat. In the past, medications have not been completely effective and even when patients have surgery to remove the polyps they have a tendency to grow back," explains Kerry LeBenger, MD, Chief of Adult Medicine at Summit Medical Group and co-investigator on the XHANCE trial. "We are fortunate to have been an important part of investigating this new delivery system that can help shrink these polyps and not only benefit our patients, but patients everywhere that suffer from this debilitating condition."

The XHANCE clinical trial is part of a larger initiative at Summit Medical Group to advance medicine. Summit Medical Group is involved in 31 active clinical trials, which are critical to the development of new therapies, including finding innovative treatments for cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, type 2 diabetes, and allergies.

"If you want to be a leader in the health care industry, you have to do more than deliver high quality care to patients. At Summit Medical Group, our physicians stay involved in research that keeps us at the forefront of science," says Gary Pien, MD, PhD, Director of Research, Department Chair for Allergy & Immunology, Rheumatology and Infectious Disease at Summit Medical Group, and co-investigator on the XHANCE trial. "We are extremely grateful to be part of this study and proud of the physician-investigators, clinical trials staff, and volunteers who made this study possible. They are the key to finding new treatments that improve the quality of life for our patients."

About Summit Medical Group
Recognized as New Jersey's premier multispecialty medical group, Summit Medical Group has more than 80 locations in seven northern New Jersey counties. Summit Medical Group provides over 800 practitioners who cover more than 80 medical specialties and services, and are focused on delivering patient-centered and coordinated care. Summit Medical Group's unique care model recently expanded nationally with the founding of Summit Medical Group Oregon ? Bend Memorial Clinic and Summit Medical Group Arizona.  Additionally, Summit Medical Group is the only healthcare provider in northern New Jersey to offer patients access to the world-renowned MD Anderson Cancer Network® through Summit Medical Group MD Anderson Cancer Center. For more information, visit www.summitmedicalgroup.com.

SOURCE Summit Medical Group