GEORGETOWN PHYSICIAN UPDATE
NEWSLETTER
May/June – Volume 1, Issue 3
Georgetown's Lombardi Cancer Center is conducting innovative clinical
research trials that show great promise for advancing the fight against cancer
on several fronts.
Each year,
Lombardi sees about 2,500 new patients and initiates or participates in some 300
cancer research studies across the spectrum of clinical and basic science
research. The Lombardi Cancer Center is one of only 40 comprehensive cancer
centers designated by the National Cancer Institute in the U.S., and the only
such center in Washington, DC. U.S. News & World Report routinely lists
Georgetown University Hospital as one of America's 50 Best Hospitals in
cancer.
"Part of
our mission as a leading cancer center is to advance the frontiers of cancer
research," said Kevin Cullen, MD, interim director of Lombardi. "That helps us
offer patients access to the latest and most promising forms of treatment."
Accordingly, some very exciting research studies currently are underway,
says John Marshall, MD, Lombardi's director of developmental therapeutics and GI
oncology. "When people think of cancer care in the DC area, they should think of
Lombardi first," Dr. Marshall noted. "Our patients have access to some of the
newest therapies to treat all forms and stages of the
disease."
Cancer vaccine
Researchers at Lombardi are participating in a single-site National
Institutes of Health study of a cancer vaccine that aims to enhance the immune
system's response to malignant cells. Researchers inject participants with the
live vaccinia virus, which transports the CEA (carcino embryonic antigen)
protein throughout the body. CEA stimulates the production of T-cells and is a
tumor marker found in many common cancers. The hypothesis is that a switched-on
immune system will then attack CEA throughout the body.
Researchers have used this approach in about 40 participants to date.
Positive responses have been reported in lung and colon cancers, Dr. Marshall
reported. The study is nearing completion, but other similar studies are
planned.
Protein
inhibitor
Lombardi researchers are injecting
anti-sense into selected patients to prevent the manufacture of the raf protein.
This protein is implicated in the development of solid tumors. Anti-sense raf
was developed in Georgetown University's radiation biology lab, under the
direction of Usha Kasid, PhD. The
study is a Phase I clinical trial, with about 20 participants to date. It is too soon
to determine the results, Dr. Marshall noted.
Diagnostic blood test
Lombardi researchers are developing a
simple blood test that can be used to detect the presence ofcancer cells. Using real-time PCR
technology, the test extracts cancer cells from blood samples. This would enable
physicians to diagnose cancers, identify disease recurrences and monitor
treatment efficacy, Dr. Marshall said. "This is a direct measure that would
enable us to monitor patients much more easily," he noted. "Plus, we can make
sure targeted therapies are getting where they need to
go."
Eventually
such a blood test would be refined to provide every detail about the disease.
"We'll be able to tell everything we need to know about a tumor to treat it most
effectively," Dr. Marshall said.
These are only a few of the clinical trials currently underway, Dr. Marshall notes. In addition, basic science research projects are underway to explore the biochemistry of the onset and spread of cancer. "This is definitely the most active hospital-based oncology program in the area," he concluded.
-C.
Avery
For more information, call
(202) 342-3300.
Outside of Washington, call (800)
442-4200.
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May/Jun
2002
