Fat Protein Protects Blood Vessels from Inflammation, May Help Heart Disease, Jefferson Scientists Find
(Published 6-1-2007) A natural substance secreted by fat cells can protect blood vessels from the damaging effects of inflammation, one of the factors that contribute to heart disease. Researchers at Jefferson Medical College have shown for the first time in an animal model that the substance – a protein called adiponectin – helps prevent immune system white blood cells from binding to the inside of blood vessel walls. Harnessing adiponectin’s properties, the scientists suggest, may someday help protect against the blood vessel damage so prevalent in patients with obesity and diabetes.

Circulating Tumor Cells Predict How Hormone-Resistant Prostate Cancer Patients Fare, Jefferson Scientist Finds
(Published 6-4-2007) The number of tumor cells circulating in the bloodstream of patients with metastatic, hormone-resistant, prostate cancer can predict how they will do with chemotherapy, according to results of an international trial. The findings, if backed by larger studies, could have important implications for designing personalized treatments for this very dangerous type of prostate cancer, the researchers say.

Jefferson Scientist Awarded Prestigious ACS Grant to Study Use of Blood Pressure Drugs Against Cancer
(Published 6-6-2007) In 2006, researcher Hwyda Arafat, M.D., Ph.D., reported that common blood pressure medications might help block the spread of pancreatic cancer. Now, Dr. Arafat, assistant professor of surgery at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University and at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson in Philadelphia, has been awarded a prestigious Research Scholar Grant from the American Cancer Society (ACS) to continue that work.

Jefferson GI Researchers Use SpyGlass System To Provide Better Diagnoses of Digestive Problems
(Published 6-13-2007) Patients in the Digestive Disease Institute at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital can benefit from a new generation of endoscopes that enable physicians to provide an earlier and better diagnosis of diseases involving the bile duct.

New Jefferson Trial to Study Targeted Antiangiogenesis Drug Sutent™ and Radiation Against Cancer
(Published 6-20-2007) Last year, the drug Sutent™ (sunitinib) made headlines for its effectiveness against kidney and gastrointestinal cancers. Now, radiation oncologist at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson in Philadelphia are hoping to find out if combining Sutent and radiation will help patients with a wide range of cancers.

Trial Supports Use of Marker to Predict How Pancreatic Cancer Patients Do After Surgery, Jefferson Surgeon Finds
(Published 6-22-2007) A team of researchers, led by surgeons at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson in Philadelphia, has found further evidence supporting the ability of a protein to predict how well a patient with advanced pancreatic cancer will do after surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. The levels of the protein CA 19-9 in the blood can be used to determine the need for further therapy, they say.

NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR ACOUSTIC NEUROMA TUMOR PATIENTS TO CELEBRATE 25TH ANNIVERSARY WITH THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY
(Published 6-25-2007) The national Acoustic Neuroma Association (ANA), will mark its 25th anniversary at its 18th annual symposium in Philadelphia. The three-day event is scheduled for July 13-15, 2007 at the Doubletree Hotel. The ANA’s mission is to inform, educate and provide support for those who have developed these benign tumors, which can cause hearing loss and migraines among other medical problems.