Mike Chura has an innate tendency to help people. He has served the public since high school. That is when he joined his local volunteer fire department and also became certified as an EMT. Mike continued on in the Emergency Services as a career firefighter/EMT for the next 27 years, eventually retiring as a district fire chief for the Syracuse Fire Department with a combined total of more than 40 years. Even while on vacation he once saved a woman’s life from a burning vehicle! So, when he was asked to participate in a clinical trial at HOA he did not hesitate to say yes.
“If my cancer treatment through a clinical trial can help make a better life for someone else, why not do it?” Mike said. “This is my chance to give back; if I can help I will.”
He added that history also played a part in his decision. “If no one was willing to participate in clinical trials where would we be today? We’d be living with more pain and shorter lives.”
About the Clinical Trial
Mike has stage 1 non-small cell lung cancer that was diagnosed in May 2023. In August of that year his cancer was treated with CyberKnife radiation treatment to destroy the cancer cells. That treatment was successful, and now he receives a CT scan every three months to check if the cancer has returned. So far, there has been no new growth!
His clinical trial is testing the use of the immunotherapy agent pembrolizumab, sold under the brand name Keytruda, used in conjunction with radiation therapy. The test will show whether or not this regimen will suppress cancer progression in early stage non-small cell lung cancer. The medication or placebo he receives – we do not know which – is administered to him intravenously every three weeks in a 30-minute period for 17 doses.
It’s important to note that all patients at HOA who participate in clinical trials are first and foremost receiving the best care currently available for their illness. The trial is testing a potential improvement to their care that is not yet available. In most cases they receive either an addition to their current state-of the-art care or a placebo. Equally important, patients in studies can withdraw from the program at any time for any reason.
Mike said it was helpful for him to know he could stop his trial at any time. He added that the HOA research team was very good at explaining everything about the trial, including potential side effects. He said that Karen Callahan, MSN, RN, HOA’s Director of Research Operations, is the one who approached him about the trial. “She said I was an ideal candidate,” explained Mike.
Pros and Cons
“The only frustrating part of this trial is that I don’t know if I am getting a placebo or Keytruda,” Mike said. And, in his typical selfless manner, Mike states that he also is disappointed that he can’t donate blood while he is in the trial and he still has to wait until 12 months after the trial ends before he can start donating again. “But, that’s it for the negatives,” he said. “I have had no side effects.”
“But, I really hope I am getting the medication,” Mike said. “Because if by participating in this trial, my cancer might be prevented from progressing past stage 1, that would be amazing!”
Mike stated that his favorite part of being in a clinical trial is the ability to “help others down the road,” as well as getting to know the other patients at the HOA Brittonfield office.
“One of the best parts of being in the clinical trials at HOA is that you know you are not alone,” Mike said. “Plus, the people who take care of you all ‘get’ how important their job is. They all are understanding and caring with great personalities.
