Dr. Mario Velasco 1st in US to Enroll a Patient in Inavo123 Study

Dr. Mario Velasco Jr., MD, FACP, is recognized as the first physician in the United States to enroll a patient in the Inavo123 study.

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From the INAVO123 November Newsletter:

Site Highlight: Cancer Care Specialists of Illinois
PI: Dr. James Wade

The Inavo123 team extends a warm appreciation to the entire team at Cancer Care Specialists of Illinois for enrolling the first US patient into the study. Thank you to Principal Investigator James Wade for his continued support on Genentech studies, and his Inavo123 team.

Dr. Mario Velasco Jr., MD, FACP, joined Cancer Care Specialists of Illinois in February 2001 and is board certified in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology. Dr. Velasco is a highly dedicated physician and an active contributor to clinical research at the Decatur location. He is especially enthusiastic to be the first physician in the United States to enroll a patient in the Inavo123 study.

Alexandra Foster has served as a Clinical Research Coordinator at Cancer Care Specialists of Illinois since February 2025. She is a committed and detail-oriented coordinator who works diligently to ensure that patients receive the highest standard of care.

The outstanding work of Dr. Velasco and Ms. Foster is made possible through the collaboration and support of the entire staff at Cancer Care Specialists of Illinois, as well as the Roche team. Their collective efforts continue to advance patient care and research excellence.

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INAVO123 is a Phase III clinical trial for a new cancer drug called inavolisib (Itovebi), which is being studied as a first-line treatment for advanced, hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer with a specific mutation in the PIK3CA gene. The study is evaluating the drug’s combination with a CDK4/6 inhibitor and letrozole, comparing it to a placebo with the same combination. Genentech is sponsoring the trial to see if the inavolisib combination is more effective than the standard treatment.