 |
CANCER & TREATMENTS SUPPORT & SURVIVORSHIP PREVENTION & RISK ASSESSMENT CLINICAL TRIALS & RESEARCH LIVING WITH CANCER | |
| ||
|
|
Home > Clinical Trials and Research > Research Clinical Science ResearchCharting discoveries with the help of patientsMoving discoveries in basic science to application in clinical science is called "translational research," and it is the cornerstone of the Cancer Center's research efforts. Learn about our clinical research programs, below.Two Cancer Center Senior Leaders are charged with overseeing the clinical research division:
Dr. Moshe Talpaz, Associate Director of Translational Research
the Associate Director for Clinical Research position, a position for which a national search is currently underway. Clinical Research Programs:
updated 6/09
Breast OncologyDaniel Hayes, M.D., co-director The Breast Oncology Program is one of the largest and most comprehensive programs in the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center. The program consists of both laboratory and clinical investigators who work together to translate exciting ideas and observations from the laboratory to the clinic to further advance evaluation and treatment of patients at risk for or with breast cancer. Expertise in the Breast Oncology Program and the associated Breast and Ovarian Cancer Risk Evaluation Program spans the gamut of breast cancer. Laboratory studies, clinical trials and clinical services are directed toward evaluation of breast-cancer risk, studies relating to screening and prevention, and trials of new approaches and therapies in patients with established cancer. Moreover, clinical and social researchers in the Breast Oncology Program are performing quality-of-life studies that will help women deal with their diagnosis and maintain their normal lives as easily as possible. In multidisciplinary collaborations, research and clinical care programs in the Breast Oncology Program are directed toward: Risk and Prevention
Therapy of Established Breast Cancer
Nearly every one of these areas involves multidisciplinary interaction between clinical, laboratory and social scientists who are developing new and better ways of approaching each of these problems. Taken together, the broad interests of the clinicians and of the laboratory and clinical scientists have made the U-M Breast Oncology Program a national leader in breast cancer research and clinical management.
Childhood CancersLaurence A. Boxer, M.D., co-director The Childhood Cancer Program treats patients with pediatric solid tumors, including neuroblastomas, rhabdomyosarcomas, Wilm's tumors and brain tumors, as well as patients with lymphomas, leukemias and other childhood cancers. The program also offers clinics for patients with coagulation disorders and sickle cell anemia. The U-M has the largest pediatric oncology research effort in Michigan. Studies are ongoing to better understand genetic mechanisms underlying neuroblastoma, acute leukemia and brain tumors. Other studies are directed toward improving patients' own defenses against cancer. The U-M program is one of only a few in the United States to hold a training grant in Pediatric Hematology, which allows the program to train future academicians in clinical care and research involving childhood hematologic and oncologic diseases.
Cutaneous OncologyAndrej A. Dlugosz, M.D., director The Cutaneous Oncology Program consists of clinical and research programs devoted to melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. The Melanoma Multidisciplinary Clinic, designated as the National Cancer Institute's Midwest referral center, offers patients efficient and expedited care regardless of their disease stage. Comprehensive patient care is achieved through the concerted efforts of caretakers from 15 departments or sections, making this one of the most active melanoma clinics in the nation. The Clinic also offers novel melanoma treatment protocols, including gene therapy, adoptive immunotherapy, and combination chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The University of Michigan is a leader in the field of Mohs surgery for the treatment of higher risk basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma, and soft tissue reconstruction of skin cancer defects. The scientific mission of the Cutaneous Oncology Program is to utilize knowledge gained from basic, preclinical and clinical research endeavors to improve the overall care of patients with skin cancer. We believe that understanding the molecular basis and biology of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers will drive future innovations in prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Basic research efforts are focused on areas that have relevance to all forms of cutaneous neoplasia, including the investigation of molecular, biochemical, cellular, and tissue alterations driving the development and progression of skin cancer.
Endocrine Oncology ProgramGary Hammer, M.D., Ph.D., director The Endocrine Oncology Program is a multidisciplinary clinical and research program focused on the genetics, endocrine cancer stem cells, pathogenesis (the process/stages of disease development) and treatment of endocrine cancers. Two multidisciplinary clinics specialize in the treatment of thyroid and adrenal tumors, respectively. Active laboratory programs include work in the areas of adrenal and thyroid cancer genetics, gene discovery, adrenal cancer metastasis, adrenal and thyroid carcinogenesis (cancer causing agents), and adrenal and thyroid cell biology. Recently, research has expanded broadly into the use gene expression profiles as diagnostic and prognostic indicators. Endocrine Oncology Program investigators participate in the a number of therapeutic trials for advanced thryroid and adrenocortical carcinoma. Biological based therapies are currently under pre-clinical and clinical development for adrenal cancer. The U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center is one of only a few centers in the country with a focused endocrine oncology program and embedded thyroid and adrenal clinics. To learn more about this program, please visit the Endocrine Oncology Program Research page.
Gastrointestinal OncologyDiane Simeone, M.D., co-director The Gastrointestinal Oncology Program provides comprehensive and collaborative interdisciplinary care for patients diagnosed with all types of gastrointestinal cancers. This program has been a national leader in the development of novel chemoradiation strategies for pancreatic cancer patients, and in the use of regional chemotherapy with high dose focal liver radiation to treat patients with various liver tumors. The program also has new initiatives in developing vaccine therapy and gene therapy for colorectal cancer patients. Clinical services include genetic counseling for individuals at risk for developing gastrointestinal malignancies, chemoprevention programs and multidisciplinary evaluation of patients with newly diagnosed gastrointestinal cancers.
Head and Neck OncologyCarol R. Bradford, M.D., co-director The Head and Neck Oncology Program provides advanced diagnostic techniques, management and rehabilitation for patients with cancers of the head and neck. The program works in collaboration with specialists in otolaryngology, radiation oncology, hematology/oncology, speech and language pathology, hospital dentistry and other related fields. In a nationwide study headed by Gregory T. Wolf, M.D., researchers found that, in patients with advanced laryngeal cancer, radiation therapy combined with chemotherapy is as effective as traditional surgical treatment involving removal of the voice box, which causes loss of normal speech, swallowing and sense of smell. The finding is changing the standard treatment for this disease and is being extended to other cancers of the head and neck, as well as cancers that occur at other sites. Modern microvascular reconstructive techniques also are being used to minimize the functional and cosmetic disabilities associated with these cancers. The program is also committed to understanding the molecular mechanisms of tumor progression and the genes responsible for drug and radiation resistance that cause our current treatment methods to fail in some patients. Laboratory studies funded by National Cancer Institute and the National Institute for Dental and Craniofacial Research are investigating the genes associated with rapid tumor progression and response to therapy. Using information gleaned from these studies, more effective treatment protocols are being designed for patients with the most deadly tumors and knowledge is being gained to improve the overall response to treatment. The program was recently awarded a five-year, $8.5 million Specialized Program of Research Excellence Award by the National Cancer Institute and the National Dental and Craniofacial Research Institute to develop new research strategies and to translate new discoveries into the clinic to improve patient survival and quality of life. Novel strategies to starve tumors by inhibiting the blood supply are being modeled in the laboratory using a non-toxic new drug developed at the University of Michigan called Tetrathiomolybdate. The first clinical treatment protocol using this drug for patients with recurrent advanced head and neck cancer was recently opened. Preclinical studies are in progress to test whether the use of inhibitors of the proteins that block cell death in cancer cells could be utilized to overcome chemotherapy resistance in head and neck cancers.
Leukemia/Lymphoma-Blood and Marrow Transplantation (BMT)James L.M. Ferrara, M.D., co-director One of the Leukemia/Lymphoma Program's most important goals is the discovery of new approaches to treatment for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Dr. Mark Kaminski and his colleagues have pioneered the development of a treatment called radioimmunotherapy that involves the use of radioactive antibodies that seek out tumor cells. With a single treatment of Bexxar (an iodine-131-tagged anti-CD20 antibody), dramatic tumor regressions, including complete remissions, have been observed in 70 percent of patients who had undergone prior chemotherapy for low-grade, follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and had either relapsed or were no longer responding to chemotherapy. In the 35 percent of patients who achieved complete remissions, no return of lymphoma has been seen up to eight years after receiving treatment. In a study conducted in patients with low-grade lymphoma who had never received any other prior treatment, 95 percent of patients have had tumor remissions and 75 percent had complete remissions. Complete remissions are ongoing from two to five years so far. In contrast to standard chemotherapy, which can cause serious side effects, these patients have had few side effects. The Food and Drug Administration approved Bexxar for treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma in June 2003. On another front, Dr. Harry Erba and his colleagues are investigating the use of antibody-targeted treatment for elderly patients with a new diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia. These patients have a poor prognosis and often cannot tolerate standard chemotherapy treatments. This new treatment, in which a powerful anti-cancer antibiotic is hooked to an antibody (Mylotarg), is hoped to have fewer side effects than conventional chemotherapy and yet offer an important new option for patients with this disease. In addition, Dr. Andrjez Jakubowiak is working with colleagues to study a growing array of new therapeutic agents for multiple myeloma. These include anti-angiogenesis agents, proteosome inhibitors and radioimmunotherapy. These approaches are being tested in clinical trials in various phases of the disease. The U-M Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program, one of the largest in the country, is internationally known for its research into novel approaches to make transplantation safer and more effective. The program's scientists have made major contributions to understanding the mechanisms of how transplants cure leukemias and lymphomas as well as how to prevent the toxicities of treatment. Special emphases include the use of new transplant approaches for patients with significant medical complications. Dr. James L.M. Ferrara is the chairman of the steering committee of the national Blood and Marrow Clinical Trials Network, which is the largest organization in the United States for developing novel BMT clinical trials. The clinical program treats both children and adults and is staffed by full-time physicians who devote their entire medical practice to BMT patients; all nurses, physician assistants, social workers and transplant coordinators are specifically trained in stem-cell transplantation. The entire BMT team gathers several times a week to discuss patient care, providing multidisciplinary, comprehensive solutions that are individually tailored for each patient. The program treats patients with leukemia, lymphoma, myelodysplasia, neuroblastoma, bone and soft-tissue sarcomas, brain tumors, bone-marrow failure and immunodeficiency disorders. The optimal source of stem cells, be it bone marrow, blood or umbilical cord blood is determined according to the needs of the patient. Autologous and allogeneic (both related and unrelated) transplant approaches are offered. The program is accredited by the Foundation for Accreditation of Hematopoietic Cell Therapy and is also approved by the National Marrow Donor Program, the Southwest Oncology Group and the Children's Cancer Group.
Neuro-Oncology ProgramLarry Junck, M.D., director The Neuro-oncology Program focuses on management of patients with malignant and benign tumors of the brain and spinal cord, but also provides care to patients with neurological complications of systemic cancer. Care is provided by close collaboration among physicians in Neurology, Neurosurgery, Pediatrics, and Radiation Oncology, and input is also provided from members in Pathology, Radiology, and other disciplines. Cases are discussed at the weekly Brain Tumor Board. Clinical trial offerings include local trials as well as trials sponsored by national consortia, pharmaceutical firms, and biotechnology firms. Clinical trials have addressed radiosensitizing drugs, cytotoxic and non-cytotoxic drug therapy, gene therapy, immunotoxins infused using convection-enhanced delivery, and neuro-imaging.
Prostate/Urologic OncologyKenneth J. Pienta, M.D., co-director The Urologic Oncology Program is one of the premier programs in its field nationally with expertise in urologic surgery, radiation oncology and medical oncology. The surgical team has special expertise in nerve-sparing prostatectomy for prostate cancer, neobladders for bladder cancer, retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy for testicular cancer and removal of kidney cancers invading the vena cava. In addition, the program's urologists have expertise in minimally invasive surgery (laparoscopic removal of tumors) and treatment of incontinence and impotence. The U-M's radiation oncology group is among the most experienced in the world with three-dimensional conformal external radiation therapy for prostate cancer as well as pioneering seed implementation techniques. In addition, the program has developed an innovative therapeutic plan for effectively managing patients with advanced prostate cancer. The Urologic Oncology Program is the recipient of a $6.5 million Specialized Program of Research Excellence grant in prostate cancer, a George M. O'Brien Urology Research Center grant, a PO1 in prostate cancer metastasis to bone, and two T32 Urology Training Grants. Active laboratory programs include work in the areas of prostate cancer genetics, gene discovery, metastasis, biomarker discovery, therapeutic development, and prostate and bladder cell biology. Recently, research has expanded broadly into specific evaluation of quality-of-life outcomes analyses for localized and metastatic bladder and prostate cancers. Clinical trials involving gene therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted agents are available for prostate, bladder and renal-cell cancers.
PsychOncologyMichelle Riba, M.D., director The PsychOncology Program provides clinical care and teaching, and investigates questions related to the emotional aspects of cancer. The staff is multidisciplinary and provides care to patients of all ages and with all types and stages of cancer, and their families. The new PsychOncology Clinic, located and staffed within the Cancer Center, affords the ability to evaluate and treat patients by a highly skilled group of clinicians. Research endeavors of the PsychOncology Program include:
SarcomaScott Schuetze, M.D., Ph.D., directorThe University of Michigan Sarcoma Program was one of the first truly multidisciplinary programs. The physicians who staff the program offer a comprehensive range of expertise with specialty training in medical oncology, orthopedic oncology, surgical oncology, radiation oncology, tumor imaging and pathology of bone and soft tissue sarcomas. The Sarcoma Program also interfaces with physicians in otolaryngology, neurosurgery, thoracic surgery, cardiovascular surgery and urology for the optimal treatment of patients with sarcoma. Sarcomas are rare tumors of connective tissue that arise from bone and soft tissues. There are more than 50 sub-types of sarcoma. This disease occurs in children, teenagers and adults. The Sarcoma Program cares for a large volume of patients - about 250 new cases annually - with these rare tumors. This volume has allowed the team to develop well-rounded experience in treating these diseases, which is an advantage considering most community-based practices see fewer than 10 cases a year. The Sarcoma Program has a robust clinical trials program of U-M-initiated studies; it also actively participates in cooperative group trials sponsored by the National Cancer Institute. The U-M Sarcoma Program was a founding member of the Sarcoma Alliance for Research through Collaboration, a clinical trials group that is dedicated to advances in sarcoma treatment through research. Currently, the Sarcoma Program's research emphasis is on Phase 2 studies of new drugs to identify chemotherapy that may benefit more patients with sarcoma. The group is focusing on identifying new drugs to treat specific types of rare sarcomas, allowing for the development of tailored, patient-specific treatment that's more effective than traditional, "one-size-fits-all" approaches. In addition, the program is developing a Phase 1 program to investigate new combinations of treatment with chemotherapy and chemotherapy combined with radiation.
Thoracic OncologyMark B. Orringer, M.D., co-director The Thoracic Oncology Program focuses on the care of patients with intrathoracic cancers - including esophageal cancer, small cell and non-small cell lung cancer, thymic malignancies and mesothelioma - as well as research aimed at developing more effective therapy for these diseases. The program is staffed by thoracic surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, pulmonologists, gastroenterologists, radiologists, pathologists and nurses dedicated to providing patients with the best possible care. Members meet weekly in a Multidisciplinary Lung Cancer Clinic and the Multidisciplinary Thoracic Oncology Conference. A variety of clinical trials are available, ranging from chemoprevention studies to the evaluation of state-of-the-art investigational therapies. The team's expertise with emerging technologies, including stereotactic radiosurgery, radiofrequnecy ablation, photodynamic therapy, esophageal and airway stenting, ultrasound-guided transbronchial/transesophageal biopsy, and video-assisted thoracoscopy, allows for less invasive options in the diagnosis and care of patients with thoracic cancers. For patients with esophageal cancer, transhiatal esophagectomy without thoracotomy was pioneered and refined at the University of Michigan by Mark Orringer, M.D. More than 2,000 patients have undergone this operation at the University of Michigan in the past 30 years, giving U-M physicians the most experience with this procedure in the United States. The operative mortality rate for this procedure at U-M is less than 3 percent, with an average hospital stay of only seven days. The Thoracic Oncology Program is also a leader in the development of combined modality therapy for esophageal cancer, a therapy in which patients are treated with chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery in an attempt to improve their chances for survival. For patients with lung cancer, optimal treatment usually requires the integration of multiple therapeutic modalities, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The U-M Thoracic Oncology team consists of experts in each of these disciplines who focus extensively on the care of patients with lung cancer and who meet regularly to determine the best management strategy for each individual patient. The U-M Thoracic Oncology Program has also developed and participated in numerous clinical trials for patients with all stages of small cell and non-small cell lung cancer to evaluate novel therapeutic strategies using leading-edge chemotherapy agents and radiotherapy techniques.
|
|
See Also:
University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center © 2009 Regents of the University of Michigan / Developed & maintained by: Public Relations & Marketing Communications. Contact Us or UMHS. The information presented is not a tool for self diagnosis or a substitute for professional care. |
|
| |||||
