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Recent Articles:
UMass Medical School and Umass Memorial Health Care Appoint Director of Cancer Center of Excellence
Massachusetts native Michael L. Blute, MD, recruited to build clinical and translation research
UMass Memorial Cancer Center Receives American Cancer Society ...
PharmaLive.com (press release) - Newtown,PA,USA
... and Dario C. Altieri, MD, the Eleanor Eustis Farrington Chair of Cancer Biology, provides funding to investigators at the early stages of their careers ...
Cure possible for one type of leukemia.
Bangor Daily News
Dr. Shaoguang Li, now conducting research at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester, has identified a specific gene that supports the development of chronic myeloid leukemia...
Genetic Screening in 2010
Scientists, physicians and geneticists are in agreement about one thing – that genetic screening holds much promise in understanding a predisposition to developing cancer.
UMass Memorial is launching an expanded focus on high-risk screening with the opening of the Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Program, a cohesive, comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach to link specific genes with specific cancers. Prevention and early detection are important at all stages of life. Initial symptoms of cancer should not be overlooked.
This unique program covers many of our oncology specialties, including breast, endocrine, gastrointestinal, gynecologic, lung, neuro-oncology and GU oncology.
Gary Stein, PhD, one of the most eminent and widely respected scholars in the field of cancer biology and treatment, and the Gerald L. Haidak, MD and Zelda S. Haidak Distinguished Professor and Chair of Cell Biology at the UMass Memorial Cancer Center of Excellence, explains “It is now possible for patients to have their genes analyzed to learn whether or not someone carries a form of a gene that is associated with more cancer risk.” The first step is to meet with a genetic counselor, says Dr. Stein.
A genetic counselor will work with patients and their families to help:
Determine if genetic testing is right
Learn how to reduce the risk of developing cancer
Devise a personal cancer surveillance program
Educate about current cancer treatment and research
According to Beverly Hay, MD, a geneticist and head of the program, “Our team combines the latest medical and scientific knowledge with the most advanced surveillance, diagnostic and prevention methods. Knowledge is power for our patients of all ages.”
Turning Vision into Reality
- The Cancer Center of Excellence at UMass Memorial Health Care is the first academic medical center in New England to use the new RapidArc® radiation treatment and to offer robot surgeries for four cancer specialties — colorectal, urologic, gynecologic and thoracic. The cancer center also boasts a progressive Bone Marrow Transplant Program and recently launched a genetic cancer prevention and detection program and a comprehensive public education program.
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A process has been developed that can be manipulated to kill tumor cells.
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Research is underway in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, the most common type of non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
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A new gene has been found which suppresses tumor growth.
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Research is underway evaluating how pregnancy and growth hormones impact factors affecting breast cancer.
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Ways have been found to enhance radiotherapy in the treatment of prostate cancer.
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We have identified clinical and genetic features associated with the highest risk of conversion to fatal leukemia.
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Novel mechanisms of regulation of the tumor suppressor protein p53 have been found. It is the main tumor suppressor in humans, and lost in over 50% of cancers.
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A critical new pathway has been discovered in the development of leukemia, a cancer of white blood cells, and helped to identify drugs that inhibit leukemic cell growth.
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Novel "gene signatures" have been identified that predict the response of breast cancer to treatment.
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A new protein has been found that is associated with highly aggressive breast cancers.
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We have recently uncovered a genetic link between hereditary breast and colon cancer that will help identify predisposed patients and ultimately guide the choice of treatment.
Research Updates
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