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BACKGROUNDER

U.VA. CANCER CENTER: CHANGING THE FUTURE OF CANCER CARE

The Cancer Center has established more than a dozen teams of caregivers with expertise relevant to a specific cancer site. They include the breast, gynecology/oncology, head and neck, neuro-oncology, melanoma, gastrointestinal and colorectal, genitourinary and prostate, sarcoma, leukemia/lymphoma, lung, bone marrow, pediatric, and hospice and palliative care teams. With this approach, patients benefit from the combined expertise of physicians, surgeons, radiologists, nurses, social workers, radiation oncologists, therapists and others who meet on a regular basis. Following are recent developments in some of these areas:

In Prostate Cancer

  • Researchers developed a blood test to find residual prostate cancer after surgery. The test is not only more accurate, but it may also be quicker, less painful and less costly than the current practice of removing and examining tissue samples. Results of a pilot study using the new procedure were recently published in the Journal of Urology. Researchers are now considering the test for other organs. Contact: Dr. Dan Theodorescu (804) 924-0042

  • A grant of $4.2 million was recently awarded to microbiologist Michael Weber to study how prostate cancer progresses from a localized, slow-growing tumor to one that develops rapidly. Contact: Michael Weber (804) 924-5022

  • Biologist Leland Chung is leading a team of researchers looking for a vaccine for prostate cancer. The work focuses on signal transduction, or the process by which cells communicate with their environment. The team is pursuing ways to prevent messages that cause normal cells to divide uncontrollably from getting through. Contact: Leland Chung (804) 243-6649

  • Scientists showed that arachidonic acid, a fatty acid found in meat, dairy fat and egg yolks, but not in plant products, is a powerful stimulus for prostate cancer growth in the test tube. The team, led by oncologist Charles E. Myers, will now try to find a drug to counteract this effect and bring it to clinical trial. Contact: Dr. Charles E. Myers (804) 982-4190

  • Scientists have developed gene therapy for prostate cancer that holds promise for preventing the spread, or even providing the cure, for the disease. Contact: Leland Chung (804) 243-6649

In Melanoma

  • Researchers were the first to identify a series of molecular targets for the immune system response to melanoma. These targets are being used in three clinical trials of tumor vaccines for melanoma patients at U.Va. The goal is to boost immune response against tumors and permit the body to destroy cancer cells without additional treatment. Researchers will continue to study the use of immune therapy for other cancers as part of the coming Human Immune Therapy Center. Contact: Dr. Craig Slingluff, Jr. (804) 924-1730

In Breast Cancer

  • A new surgical technique for breast cancer patients, sentinel node surgery, that enables the surgeon to remove selected lymph node or nodes, is being tested at U.Va. The initiative, directed by the American College of Surgeons and approved by NCI, will compare patients who undergo sentinel node surgery to those who undergo the traditional node removal in which all or most of the lymph nodes under the arm are removed. Sentinel node surgery has also been used in melanoma patients at U.Va. Contact: Dr. Marcia Moore (804) 924-9479

  • Oncologist Susan Miesfeldt is leading a study concerning the knowledge and beliefs of a demographically diverse group of women regarding the causes of hereditary breast cancer. Educational materials for women at high risk for breast cancer will be developed based on the findings. The Cancer Genetics Clinic provides genetic assessment and counseling, psychological counseling and support, DNA banking and DNA testing. Contact: Dr. Susan Miesfeldt (804) 924-9647

  • While working with a group of NCI-sponsored researchers, endocrinologist Richard Santen showed that estrogen could cause gene mutations that result in breast cancer. By studying how these changes occur, Dr. Santen hopes to determine how to prevent or avoid these changes. Contact: Dr. Richard Santen (804) 924-2207

  • Researchers in Breast Imaging are developing ways to find cancer earlier. Digital mammography uses computers to form an image of the breast and enhance the image for better readability. MRI imaging is being used to screen women at high risk and to characterize breast abnormalities. Contact: Dr. Jennifer Harvey (804) 924-9391

  • Researchers are studying the biology and developmental genetics of the normal breast in an effort to continue advances in detection, prevention and treatment of breast cancer. The focus is on the role of estrogen in normal breasts. Contact: Meei-Huey Jeng (804) 243-6135

  • Through a local partnership with the Alliance of Black Churches, investigators will study the impact of a new program, which features a culturally-sensitive exercise video and a counseling program on lifestyle issues, to assess modifiable breast cancer risk factors in African American women. The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation is funding the project. Contact: Dr. Susan Miesfeldt (804) 924-9647

In Other Cancers

  • Investigators were among the first to treat patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma using monoclonal antibodies, or highly specific, artificially produced proteins used to destroy cells. Researcher are now working on the next generation of antibodies targeting common, difficult cancers, such as head and neck, colorectal and pancreatic cancers. Contact: Dr. Roger B. Cohen (804)243-6356

  • U.Va. researchers have been pioneers in cell signaling, signals that control growth and death of cells. Understanding these will allow for development of drugs that can restore cancer cells to normal behavior, or kill cells with abnormal behavior, by interfering with cancer cell signaling. Lung cancer cells, which are often resistant to chemotherapy, have been killed using this method. A number of new agents are in or poised to enter clinical trials. Contact: Michael Weber (804) 924-5022

  • Development is beginning on novel therapies that reflect an increasingly refined understanding of how cancer cells in the head and neck grow, survive and metastasize. Researchers are studying the use of vitamin A derivatives for prevention, new chemotherapeutic agents for treatment and improved radiation therapy outcomes. Contact: Dr. Paul A. Levine (804) 924-5593

In Pediatric Oncology

  • The bone marrow transplant program is conducting clinical studies involving the therapy of malignant and non-malignant diseases with umbilical stem cell transplant, transplant for genetic disorders and transplant for recurrent Hodgkin lymphoma. Among other projects, clinical researchers have designed a protocol for the therapy of infants with brain tumors. Contact: Dr. Pedro de Alarcon (804) 982-1930

  • Laboratory research in pediatric oncology complements the clinical research and is focused on studying the development of blood cells and malignant transformation. Contact: Dr. Pedro de Alarcon (804) 982-1930

In Clinical Trials

  • At any given time, the Cancer Center offers more than 100 phase I, II and III clinical trials spanning all areas of clinical investigation. The NCI selected the Cancer Center to conduct phase I trials of new anti-cancer agents in children. Previously, phase I cancer trials were not conducted in children; therefore, many drugs were approved for use in adults only. Contact: Dr. Roger B. Cohen (804)243-6356

In Economic Development

  • Work at the Cancer Center led to the establishment of Argonex, a successful Charlottesville-based biotech company, developing cancer vaccines and gene therapies. Argonex has brought its relationship with U.Va. full circle by investing development funds in the Cancer Center. Contact: Dr. Craig Slingluff, Jr. (804) 924-1730

September 27, 1999