More cancers in the eye of the vaccine needle
(Published 3-28-06, U.S. News and World Report) David Berd, M.D., a medical oncologist and professor of medicine at Jefferson
Medical College has been working on developing an effective melanoma vaccine, M-Vax, for many years. Dr. Berd’s idea is to
remove a patient’s own melanoma cells, add a chemical called a hapten to every protein found in that melanoma, and then put
the cells back in the patient. The added hapten – a foreign object in the patient’s body – looks suspicious to the immune
system. “This is how you can trick the body into responding to a tumor protein that it won’t normally respond to,” Dr. Berd
says.
Dr. Berd has conducted some preliminary tests in cancer patients and has seen the vaccine stimulate a reaction between the
immune and melanoma cells. The immune cells have gone after the melanoma cells. Although there is a reaction, Dr. Berd concedes
that his work isn’t ready for prime time. “We’ve talked to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and they made it very clear
that we have to do more and bigger trials under better-controlled conditions,” he says.
Deptartment of Medicine
Division of Medical Oncology
Media Coverage:
U.S. News and World Report
Disease may be type of diabetes
(Published 3-24-06, HealthDay) Giving more weight to the notion that Alzheimer’s may be a diabetes-like disease, researchers
say rats depleted of insulin in the brain went on to develop an Alzheimer’s-like illness.
By depleting insulin and its related proteins in the rodents’ brains, the researchers say, they have been able to replicate
the progression of Alzheimer's disease, including such characteristics as amyloid plaque deposits, neurofibrillary “tangles”
and impaired cognitive functioning. According to the researchers, the study demonstrates that Alzheimer's is a brain-specific
disorder, distinct from other types of diabetes, such as the inherited form, Type 1, and obesity-linked Type 2.
However, many experts are skeptical. Sam Gandy, M.D., Ph.D., Director of the Farber Institute for Neurosciences of Thomas
Jefferson University, is unconvinced of the research. “To date, the construct that Alzheimer’s is Type 3 diabetes remains
largely unsupported,” said Dr. Gandy.
Farber Institute for Neurosciences
Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience
Media Coverage:
HealthDay
Chicago Tribune
Forbes.com
Home, senior-friendly home
(Published 3-24-06, USA TODAY) You're spending more and more time daydreaming about retiring. You sigh, envisioning the perfect
retirement house.Whether you plan to blow your kids' inheritance to buy a beach house in Florida, or just stay put, it's important
to remember this: You'll grow old in that house.
The money you spend to build, remodel or retrofit your home for day-to-day retirement living can pay off. It'll make it easier
to get around, perhaps sparing injuries and expensive nursing homes.
The oldest baby boomers turn 60 this year. They and their children must face the sobering fact that 35% of adults age 65 and
older have difficulty performing one or more self-care activities, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Those design features and furniture that seemed so chic when you were 40 could become hazards when you're 70 with a new left
hip.
"We found bathing needs one of the most pressing needs of older people," says Laura Gitlin, director of the Center for Applied
Research on Aging and Health at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.
Center for Applied Research on Aging and Health
Farber Institute
Media Coverage:
USA TODAY
The Healing Canvas
(Published 3-20-06, Los Angeles Times) By harnessing creative processes of the mind, art therapy has been used for more than
50 years to treat mental and physical health problems. But, only now are studies being conducted to show its effectiveness.
Daniel Monti, M.D., director of the Center of Integrative Medicine of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, led a NIH-funded
study addressing the influence of mindfulness-based art therapy on cancer patients. Participants received group treatment
sessions of mindfulness-based art therapy for eight weeks. The study found that these cancer patients experienced a significant
decrease in distress, anxiety, and depression, as well as an improved quality of life and vitality.
The study did not determine whether the art therapy or meditation component was beneficial, but "one informs the other," said
Dr. Monti, "The two sort of work together."
Dr. Monti speculates that meditation and art making engages more of the brain than merely talking. "It provides a means of
conceptualizing and expressing the illness experience and ways to cope," he said.
Department of Medicine
Center of Integrative Medicine
Media Coverage:
Los Angeles Times
Building Better Bones With Ice
(Published 3-17-06) When it comes to manufacturing materials that are both strong and ultra-lightweight, Mother Nature is
in a league all her own. But scientists are catching up.
A team of researchers has managed to imitate the complex structures found in ice and mollusk shells, and the ultra-strong
material could lead to everything from stronger artificial bone to airplane parts.
The scientists used the physics of ice formation to develop ceramic composites four times stronger than current technology.
Ceramic has been the material of choice in joint-replacement surgeries for years because it lasts longer and produces fewer
immune reactions than metal or plastic. It also contain millions of tiny pores that the patient's own bone cells can bind
to, strengthening the new joint. But the spongelike structure of conventional ceramic is weak, and can fracture.
"The current bone grafts we use are relatively weak in terms of mechanical strength," says Dr. William Hozack, professor of
orthopedic surgery at Thomas Jefferson University. "If it's a stronger material and more like bone, that's a good thing."
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Media Coverage:
Wired News
'Match Day' a Mix of Anxiety, Excitement for Med Students
(Published 3-16-06, KWY Newsradio) Thursday was "Match Day," where fourth-year medical students across the country open envelopes
that shape the rest of their medical career.
The air in the Jefferson Medical College auditorium was a mix of excitement, anticipation. and anxiety as the students waited
to see to which residency program they had been accepted.
Jefferson Medical College
Media Coverage:
KYW Newsradio
When Disaster Strikes
(Published 3-14-06, Nursing Spectrum) At 3 p.m. on Nov. 9, 2005, three “dirty” bombs were detonated in downtown Philadelphia.
Terrorists claiming to be infected with the AIDS virus were behind the attacks, which targeted two train stations and a bus
depot with explosives containing radioactive materials.
More than 400 patients poured into 11 hospitals (see box) around the region with injuries sustained in the bombings. They
created challenging situations for hospital staff. Some had emotional outbursts, and others didn’t speak English and could
not communicate with those caring for them.
Although this disaster scene was fabricated and the patients were actors, hospital employees were kept busy throughout the
hourlong disaster drill organized by the Center for Bioterrorism and Disaster Preparedness at Thomas Jefferson University
Hospital in Philadelphia.
Department of Emegency Medicine
Center for Bioterrorism and Disaster Preparedness
Media Coverage:
Nursing Spectrum
New device for fixing holes in hearts of young stroke patients
(Published 3-14-06, News-Medical.net) Patent Foramen Ovale, or PFO, is an opening in the upper wall of the heart which did
not close completely after birth. As many as one in four adults have this condition, yet they won’t know it until after they
suffer a stroke.
“We are all born with a PFO,” says Michael Savage, M.D., director, Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at Thomas Jefferson
University Hospital. “For most of us, the opening closes within months after birth.” This opening may cause the blood in the
heart to be rerouted from the right to left side. As a result, if a clot forms in this rerouted blood and passes through the
PFO to the brain, a person may experience a stroke.
A study, led by researchers at Thomas Jefferson University found that a PFO closure device, delivered via catheter and positioned
on both sides of the PFO had a 99 percent closure success rate, and proved the device to be highly effective in preventing
a recurrent stroke.
Department of Medicine
Division of Cardiology
HeartCARE at Jefferson
Media Coverage:
News-Medical.net
Science Daily
InCirculation.net
MedWire News
Diagnosing a stroke
(Published 3-13-06, Reading Eagle) If you received an email about diagnosing a stroke, you should be aware that the three-part
test proposed as a magic bullet could be seriously misleading. Doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three
simple questions:
1. Ask the individual to smile.
2. Ask him or her to raise both arms.
3. Ask the person to speak a simple sentence (Coherently) (e.g., It is sunny out today). If he or she has trouble with any
of these tasks, call 9-1-1 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.
Dr. Kiwon Lee, director of the Neurointensive Care Unit and Clinical Assistant Professor of Neurology and Neurosurgery at
Thomas Jefferson University Medical School, said the test may well identify some strokes, but it had serious shortcomings.
For example, he said he had just seen a patient with a stroke that would have passed "The Smile Test." The patient had what
is called a sensory stroke and his symptom was a "funny feeling" on one side of his body.
Department of Neurology
Department of Neurosurgery
Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience
Jefferson Acute Stroke Center
Media Coverage:
Reading Eagle
The Nose Knows This New Surgery Technique
(Published 3-9-06, KYW Newsradio) A local hospital is offering minimally-invasive surgery for removing brain tumors. The procedure
is similar to that of ancient Egyptian practices.
The breakthrough procedure at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital allows doctors to remove brain tumors through the nose
and nasal sinuses.
"In the past we used to use microscopes and big incisions to get into the sinuses and take out the tumor with a microscope.
Now we go straight into the sinus without making a lot of incisions and using the telescope we can take out the tumor,” says
Jefferson otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon Dr. Marc Rosen. He says the method to approach the brain through the nose
has been around for a long time.
Department of Neurosurgery
Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience
Department of Otolaryngology
Media Coverage:
KYW Newsradio
iPods and How They Cause Ear Damage
(Published 3-8-06, KYW Newsradio)
iPods and other personal sound devices present a danger to hearing, but an expert says it's an easy danger to avoid.
We recognize the sound of a jackhammer as potentially harmful. But maybe not music. Nonetheless, Dr. Thomas Willcox, director
of the Jefferson Hospital Hearing Center, says, in terms of damage, it's only the volume that counts so just turn it down!
Department of Otolaryngology
Jefferson Hearing Center
Media Coverage:
KYW Newsradio
Warning About Using Narcotics to Treat Migraines
(Published 3-7-06, ABC News World News Tonight) A recent survey of 30 managed care plans showed nearly 70 percent of prescriptions
written for patients with headaches are for narcotics.
Specialists are now sounding the alarm. Narcotics, they said, are an unproven and risky treatment for headaches and should
rarely be used.
Dr. Stephen Silberstein, director of the Jefferson Headache Center at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia,
said long-term use of narcotics can actually magnify headache pain and could render other treatments ineffective.
Department of Neurology
Jefferson Headache Center
Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience
Media Coverage:
ABC News Wortld News Tonight
Have a Heart
(Published 3-7-06, Medical Imaging) What a difference a few years can make! Rapid technological advances in systems responsible
for imaging the human heart have sent ripples throughout the world of cardiac care.
Improvements in CT scanning technology, ever-more-powerful magnets, and 3-D ultrasound lead the fight against coronary artery
disease, which continues to be the leading cause of death in the United States.
Currently, the gold standard for identifying stenosis in coronary arteries involves making an incision in the patient's groin
and snaking a thin tube through a main artery to the heart. But the reign of cardiac catheterizations as the first tool employed
in identifying coronary artery disease is drawing to a close.
"Coronary CTA evaluates for narrowing of the coronary arteries just like cardiac cath, and it also provides additional information
about plaque sitting in the artery wall. CTA demonstrates the plaque burden as well as specific characteristics of the plaque,
such as whether it is soft or calcified and whether it is smooth or ulcerated," says Ethan Halpern, MD, MS, professor of radiology
and director of cardiac CT at Thomas Jefferson University (TJU of Philadelphia). "In addition, CTA demonstrates cardiac function
to a much better degree than a cardiac cath does, allowing one to evaluate both left and right ventricular function and myocardium
as well as to evaluate the aortic and mitral valves."
Department of Radiology
Media Coverage:
Medical Imaging
The End of the Slice Wars? Hardly!
(Published 3-7-06, Medical Imaging) After the breakneck pace of advances in multi-slice CT, development has paused to take
a breath. But just one—new advances lie on the horizon, most aiming to solve the same clinical and technical challenges. But
the solution might not simply be more slices. Some advocate more coverage; others are focused on refining today's workflow.
Vijay M. Rao, MD, professor of radiology and department chair at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (TJUH of Philadelphia),
agrees that improvements are needed; however, she says they might not necessarily come from more detectors. Rao cites the
need to optimize images of the heart as a primary driver for development. "The heart is tricky because of its motion, so we
need optimal temporal and spatial resolutions," she says. "And we also want to highlight soft plaque."
Department of Radiology
Media Coverage:
Medical Imaging
5 Pains Women Should Not Ignore
(Published 3-1-06, CBS3) Millions of women get so caught up in everyday activities that they don't always stop to listen when
their body is sending out an alarm. A seemingly inncocent stomach ache. Pain in the arm or shoulder. These symptoms may be
your body’s way of telling you to seek medical attention, according to Barbara Berko, M.D., cardiologist at Thomas Jefferson
University Hospital.
52-year-old Janet Green is the perfect example. For weeks she thought it was just a simple stomach ache and indigestion, until
the pain became severe.
“I was getting ready to have a massive heart attack,” said Green.
Jefferson cardiologist Dr. Barbara Berko said that is not the only heart related issue. The second symptom to watch is a pain
near your arm.
“Many people may experience pain in their arm or shoulder and think its something related to their arm or shoulder rather
than their heart,” said Dr. Berko.
Women account for nearly half of all heart attack deaths, but recognizing and responding quickly to your symptoms drastically
increases your chance of survival, she adds.
Department of Medicine
Division of Cardiology
Media Coverage:
CBS3
New Hope for MS Patients?
(Published 3-1-06, ABC News.com) Tysabri, a medication that treats the symptoms of the autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis,
may offer new hope for patients, but it also carries small life-threatening risks, according to three new studies published
in this week's New England Journal of Medicine.
Still, the potential benefits of Tysabri need to be weighed against the potential risk of acquiring PML and other side effects
associated with the medication, experts said.
And there are additional risks associated with the medication, said Dr. Thomas Leist, director of the Comprehensive Multiple
Sclerosis Center at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.
"What nobody talks about is that there is a small but not insignificant risk of increased infections — this is concerning
in patients with advanced MS who are at increased risk of acquiring infections," he said.
Department of Neurology
Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience
Comprehensive Multiple Sclerosis Center
Media Coverage:
ABC News.com
