Jefferson Researchers Show Chemotherapy and Radiation Together Extend Lung Cancer Patients’ Lives
(Published: 11-09-2007) Chemotherapy given at the same time as radiation therapy can help patients with a certain type of
lung cancer live nearly 50 percent longer than they might have otherwise if the same treatment was given differently, according
to an international team’s analysis of several trial results.
Jefferson Oncologists Show Focused Radiation Just as Effective As Surgery in Fighting Rare Nerve Tumor
(Published: 10-30-2007) Specifically aimed, “stereotactic” radiation may be as good as surgery – and in some cases, even better
– in treating benign but potentially devastating brain tumors called non-acoustic schwannomas, according to a study by by
radiation oncologists and neurosurgeons at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University and Thomas Jefferson University
Hospital in Philadelphia.
Jefferson Radiation Oncologists to Use Real-Time System to Help Plant “Seeds” Against Prostate Cancer
(Published: 9-20-2007) Radiation oncologists and urologists at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson and Thomas Jefferson
University Hospital in Philadelphia have begun using a real-time system to implant radiation-emitting seeds in prostate cancer
patients. While the system, which is made by Nucletron, a technology company based in The Netherlands, is only being used
for imaging and planning purposes so far, it ultimately will help with the actual placement of the seeds. To date, Jefferson
is the first medical center in the Delaware Valley to begin employing the new system.
Jennersville Regional Hospital Joins Jefferson Cancer Network
(Published: 8-13-2007) Jennersville Regional Hospital in West Grove, Pa., has joined the Jefferson Cancer Network (JCN), announced
officials from both institutions recently.
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.
Featured in the Media
Jefferson Breast Cancer Experts Live on NBC10
(Published: 10-17-2006, NBC10) Tuesday, NBC 10's HealthWatch team set up a live phone bank from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. to address
breast cancer awareness. The phone bank was manned by six leading experts from Jefferson who answered callers' questions.
Media Covergage:
NBC10
Jefferson Radiation Oncologists Among First to Use Cone Beam CT to Improve Treatment Accuracy
(Published: 8-28-2006) While one of the Holy Grails in radiation oncology is to spare as much healthy tissue as possible during
therapy, patients undergoing treatment for weeks at a time physically change. As a result, radiation target sites may shift,
which can be problematic for treatment.
Chromosomal Testing Can Determine Brain Tumor Therapy, Outcomes, Jefferson Radiation Oncologists Find
(Published: 6-30-2006) A trial involving two types of rare, malignant but treatable brain tumors shows that missing portions
of two chromosomes can predict which patients will likely do better with therapy. The results, says senior author Walter J.
Curran Jr., M.D., professor and chair of radiation oncology at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in
Philadelphia, represents a paradigm shift in treating such tumors, known as gliomas.
Director of Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson to Celebrate with Cancer Survivors at Annual Event
(Published: 05-10-2006) 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 May 24, 2006. The event will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in
the Bluemle Life Sciences Building, on campus of Thomas Jefferson University, 233 S. 10th St., Philadelphia.
Featured in the Media
Wrapping Radiation Around Tumors
(Published: 5-8-2006, ABC 7 Chicago) Walter J. Curran, M.D., professor and chair of Radiation Oncology at Jefferson Medical
College of Thomas Jefferson University and clincical director of the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson, discusses Shaped Beam
Surgery, a new type of targeted radiation for hard-to-treat brain tumores.
“We have the ability to define a target, and give a dose to that target with relatively little dose to the surronding structures.
Because this new technology is so precise, people can be treated with radiation a second time. The system not only treats
brain and spinal tumors; it is also being used to treat liver, lung, head and neck and prostate cancers,” said Dr. Curran.
Media Coverage:
ABC 7 Chicago
Timing of Radiation Treatments for Colon Cancer May Need Adjusting, Jefferson Researchers Say
(Published: 4-07-2006) Scientists have unexpectedly discovered that mice with the gene defect that causes colon cancer in
humans can differ from normal mice in how they respond to radiation treatments. The large intestine carrying the gene defect
in mice that received staggered doses of radiation was three to four times more resistant to the radiation than in control
mice.
Jefferson Researchers Discover that Nanoparticle Shows Promise in Reducing Radiation Side Effects
(Published: 4-05-2006) Using transparent zebrafish embryos, researchers at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia have
shown that a microscopic nanoparticle can help fend off damage to normal tissue from radiation. The nanoparticle, a soccer
ball-shaped, hollow, carbon-based structure known as a fullerene, acts like an “oxygen sink,” binding to dangerous oxygen
radicals produced by radiation.
Improved detection, better therapies mean higher survival rates for patients with pancreatic cancer
(Published: 2-23-2006) On Friday, February 24, 2006, pancreatic cancer experts from around the country will gather at the
Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson to discuss the latest in surgery, animal models, clinical trials, treatments and immunotherapy
at this year’s Scientific and Clinical Update on Pancreatic Cancer.
Jefferson Radiation Oncologist Rated Top in Nation by Industry Magazine
(Published: 2-10-2006) Walter J. Curran Jr., M.D., professor and chair of radiation oncology at Jefferson Medical College
of Thomas Jefferson University and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, was rated first in the nation in a survey by Medical
Imaging, a leading national magazine.
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital Receives Top Honor from American College of Surgeons
(Published: 2-3-2006) Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia has received a three-year approval with commendation for
its cancer program from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, its highest possible recognition.
Jefferson Radiation Oncologist to Direct Translational Research Program of Leading National Clinical Trials Group
(Published: 1-31-2006) Adam P. Dicker, M.D, Ph.D., associate professor of radiation oncology at Jefferson Medical College
of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, and an internationally respected researcher in the areas of the epidermal
growth factor receptor, nanoparticles, and brachytherapy for prostate cancer, has been appointed the Radiation Therapy Oncology
Group (RTOG) Vice-Chair for Translational Research.
Featured in the Media
Best of the best
(Published: 1-6-2006, Medical Imaging) Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia has been ranked among the top ten
hospitals in the United States in the field of radiology by Medical Imaging, a leading national magazine.
The Medical Imaging Industry Top 10 also ranked six Jefferson University Hospital specialists--the only experts in Philadelphia
to be among the honorees. Jefferson University Hospital was ranked third in the nation for radiological services. In addition,
several of Jefferson’s experts were ranked number one in their categories.
Media Coverage:
Medical Imaging
