Thomas Jefferson University Hospital

May 2007

JAMA Editorial: Jefferson Pharmacologist Says Biomarker Discovery Bodes Well for Better Cancer Diagnostics, Personalized Medicine
(Published 5-1-2007) While new findings from Ohio State University scientists suggest a genetic marker that could help distinguish between chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer and gauge who will do well with cancer treatment, a pharmacologist at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson in Philadelphia sees the discovery as much more.

Jefferson Vaccine Pioneer Hilary Koprowski, M.D., Wins 2007 Sabin Gold Medal
(Published 5-1-2007) Dr. Koprowski, professor of cancer biology at Jefferson Medical College and the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson and director of both the Center for Neurovirology and the Biotechnology Foundation Laboratories at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, is the 15th recipient of the Sabin Gold Medal.

Identify the Cancer to be Treated, Jefferson Researchers Recommend
(Published 5-4-2007) With the increase in specifically tailored therapies for individual cancers, Jefferson doctors suggest that making a proper diagnosis takes on even greater significance.

Jefferson Researchers Warn that Combining Common Blood-Thinning Therapies After Coronary Angioplasty May Cause a Deadly Problem
(Published 5-4-2007) Physicians should examine the risk factors - for example, whether the patient is likely to experience a stroke - before giving patients undergoing interventional heart procedures a combination of anti-blood clotting therapies, according to a study from Jefferson Medical College.

Jefferson’s Psychiatry Chair First Psychiatrist to Receive Bell of Hope Award from Mental Health Association of Southeast Pennsylvania
(Published 5-4-2007) Michael J. Vergare, M.D., Daniel Lieberman Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University and Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry at Albert Einstein Healthcare Network/Belmont Behavioral Health is being honored with the 2007 Bell of Hope Award by the Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Director of Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson to Celebrate with Cancer Survivors at Annual Event
(Published 5-7-2007) Richard G. Pestell, M.D., Ph.D., Director of the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson, will be the keynote speaker at Kimmel’s seventh annual “Celebration of Life” on June 7. The event will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Bluemle Life Sciences Building on the campus of Thomas Jefferson University, 233 S. 10th St.

Jefferson Scientists Confirm that Drug-Eluting Stents May Not Be For All Clogged Heart Vessels
(Published 5-10-2007) Physicians know that drug-eluting stents are an effective way to ensure that a patient’s arteries will remain open after balloon angioplasty. They also know that these devices have their limits—especially in keeping open bypassed vein grafts with longer blockages. It is for these vessels, researchers at Jefferson Medical College say, that physicians should consider alternative treatment strategies.

Bare-Metal Stents are Better for Some Heart Patients, Jefferson Scientists Find
(Published 5-11-2007) While drug-eluting stents are effective in keeping open diseased heart arteries, they should not be used for patients who need to have non-cardiac surgery a short time after an interventional heart procedure. A presentation at the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions in Orlando by cardiologists at Jefferson Medical College indicates that for these patients, bare metal stents provide a safer choice.

Jefferson Researchers Report Heart Care at High-Volume Hospitals May Matter More to African American Patients
(Published 5-11-2007) African American patients who undergo heart bypass surgery (CABG) in high-volume hospitals have more benefit than white patients, according to a new study by researchers at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia.

Former U.S. Secretary of Treasury Paul O’Neill Keynote Speaker at 2007 Jefferson Commencement Exercises
(Published 5-15-2007) Former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Paul O'Neill will address the graduating classes at the annual commencement exercises for Jefferson Medical College and Jefferson College of Graduate Studies.

Jefferson Researchers Show that Capsule Endoscopy is Effective in Diagnosing Childhood GI Problems
(Published 5-18-2007) Researchers at Jefferson Medical College have shown that capsule endoscopy is effective in diagnosing gastrointestinal bleeding and small bowel Crohn’s disease in children. The technology has been used successfully at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital for more than five years to diagnose unexplained abdominal bleeding in adults.

Jefferson Researchers Present at DDW
(Published 5-18-2007) he following summaries are based on presentations by Thomas Jefferson University Researchers at Digestive Disease Week 2007 in Washington, D.C. --Prevalence and clinical significance of autoantibodies in autoimmune hepatitis. --Post-sphincterotomy transampullary balloon dilation is not associated with an increased incidence of post-ERCP pancreatitis

Anthony DiMarino, M.D. to be Honored at National Gastroenterology Conference
(Published 5-18-2007) Anthony DiMarino, M.D., director of the division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Thomas Jefferson University and Hospital, will be honored as an AGA (American Gastroenterological Association) Foundation Mentor at the 2007 Digestive Disease Week (May 19 to 24) in Washington, D.C.

Robotic Surgery May Improve Survival Rate For Prostate Cancer Patients
(Published 5-21-2007) Performing less invasive laparoscopic surgery using robotic technology may improve survival rates for prostate cancer patients, according to a study by urologic oncologists at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital’s multidisciplinary Genitourinary (GU) cancer center.

Tiny Genes May Increase Cancer Susceptibility, Jefferson Scientists Find
(Published 5-22-2007) New evidence indicates that small pieces of noncoding genetic material known as microRNAs (miRNAs) might influence cancer susceptibility. Differences in certain miRNAs may predispose some individuals to develop cancer, say researchers collaborating in a joint study at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson in Philadelphia, Ohio State University Medical Center in Columbus and Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo.

Jefferson’s Mindfulness Meditation Course Works to Reduce Anxiety and Increase Energy Levels
(Published 5-23-2007) Mindfulness Meditation, the popular course that helps participants learn to relieve pain, reduce stress and enhance wellness, is once again being offered at Lankenau Hospital by the Jefferson-Myrna Brind Center for Integrative Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

Jefferson Scientists Use Gene Therapy to Reverse Heart Failure in Animals
(Published 5-23-2007) Heart researchers at the Center for Translational Medicine at Jefferson Medical College have used gene therapy to reverse heart failure in animals. In addition, they found that this gene therapy strategy had “unique and additive effects” to currently used, standard heart failure drugs called beta-blockers.

Ground Zero Hair Salons’ Anniversary Ball Will Benefit New Jefferson Breast Care Center
(Published 5-29-2007) Ground Zero Hair Salons is supporting Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in the development of the new Jefferson Breast Care Center.

Former U.S. Secretary of Treasury Paul O’Neill Keynote Speaker at 2007 Jefferson Commencement Exercises
(Published 5-30-2007) Former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Paul O'Neill will address the graduating classes at the annual commencement exercises for Jefferson Medical College and Jefferson College of Graduate Studies. Mr. O'Neill will also receive an honorary doctor of science degree from Thomas Jefferson University during the ceremonies.

Pancreatic Surgery Riskier for Obese Patients, Jefferson Surgeon Finds
(Published 5-30-2007) Obesity may contribute to a greater likelihood of post-operative complications for patients having pancreatic surgery, a surgeon at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital has found.

Jefferson Radiation Oncologist to Accept ASCO Scientific Leadership Award for RTOG June 1
(Published 5-30-2007) Walter J. Curran Jr., M.D., professor and chair of radiation oncology at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia and Deputy Director for Clinical Science of the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson, will accept the Distinguished Service Award for Scientific Leadership on behalf of the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) June 1, 2007 at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago.