Paducah, KY (October 28,2025) — Mercy Health – Paducah Cancer Center is proud to announce the launch of a groundbreaking program that brings bispecific antibody therapy, an innovative and highly targeted form of immunotherapy, to patients across Western Kentucky. Led by Dr. Skinner and Dr. Claudino, this initiative marks a significant advancement in local cancer care, offering treatments previously available only at major academic medical centers
Bispecific antibody therapies, commonly referred to as “BiTEs,” represent a new frontier in oncology. These treatments work by linking immune cells directly to cancer cells, triggering a precise and powerful immune response. Unlike traditional chemotherapy, which can damage healthy tissue, bispecific antibodies focus exclusively on malignant cells, minimizing side effects and improving outcomes.
Among the cutting-edge therapies now available are Elrexfio for multiple myeloma and Tarlatamab for small cell lung cancer—part of a growing list of FDA-approved bispecific treatments for conditions including lymphoma, leukemia, and lung cancer.
To support this advancement, Mercy Health has assembled and trained a multidisciplinary team of oncology nurses, pharmacists, and hospital physicians. Initial doses are administered in a controlled hospital setting, followed by outpatient maintenance therapy once the patient’s immune system adapts.
“This is a transformative moment for cancer care in our community,” said Dr. Claudino, Medical Oncologist at Mercy Health – Paducah Cancer Center. “Patients no longer need to travel hours to receive the most sophisticated treatments. We’re delivering world-class care right here at home—where patients can heal surrounded by family and support.”
In addition to bispecific antibodies, the center is also offering antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs)—a class of therapies that deliver chemotherapy directly to cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. One such therapy, trastuzumab deruxtecan (Enhertu), has shown remarkable success in treating HER2-positive breast, gastric, and lung cancers.
Mercy Health – Paducah Cancer Center is also actively participating in clinical trials that explore next-generation immunotherapies, targeted drugs, and combination treatments. These trials, once limited to large research institutions, are now accessible locally, giving patients early access to promising new therapies.
“Our mission is to ensure that patients in Western Kentucky have the same access to innovation as those treated at the nation’s leading cancer centers,” added Dr. Claudino. “By offering bispecific antibodies, ADCs, and clinical trials locally, we are redefining what it means to receive exceptional cancer care.”
With this new program, Mercy Health – Paducah Cancer Center reaffirms its commitment to compassionate, cutting-edge care—ensuring that patients benefit from the latest advancements in oncology without leaving their community.