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BATTLING RENEGADE CELLS: CANCER AND THE IMMUNE SYSTEM |
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Less than thirty years ago, after nearly seven decades of intensive research, cancer remained poorly understood-a source of frustration to physicians and of heartbreak to patients and families. Although cancer still remains the second leading cause of death in the United States (563,100 Americans are expected to die from cancer before the end of 1999), more than 8.2 million Americans with a history of cancer are alive today. Believe it or not, this is good news. Many of these cancer patients have benefited from the impressive advances made in cancer research since the 1970s. Thanks to molecular biology and genetics, scientists are gaining critical insights into cancer detection, treatment, and prevention. As a result, between 1990 and 1995, cancer incidence and death rates dropped significantly, reversing a nearly 20-year trend of increasing cases and deaths. The reversal of this trend is partly due to a growing number of treatment options and advancements in the traditional treatment approaches of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemo-therapy. Among some of the novel treatments in use or under investigation today are implants for prostate cancer, cytotoxic drugs (cellular poisons), hormone therapy, gene therapy, and angiogenesis (an approach that uses inhibitor molecules to cut off a tumor's blood supply, thus starving it). Another therapeutic approach has evolved from research focusing on the links between the immune system and cancer, a group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. When working properly, immune system cells recognize the abnormal cancer cells and eliminate them before they undergo malignant transformation. However, the immune system response to cancerous cells often falls short because tumor cells use a variety of mechanisms to avoid detection. Immunotherapies, such as cancer vaccines, seek to harness the power of the immune system to prevent or cure cancer. As the 21st century progresses, the late 20th century will be viewed as the dawning of the Golden Age of Discovery in cancer treatment and research. Tonight, mini-medical students will learn about some of the tangible fruits resulting from the past two decades of intensive investigations. The fight is far from over, but the tide is turning. |
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Professor of Psychiatry and Psychology
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As deputy director for cancer control and population sciences at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Dr. Baum is primarily responsible for oversight and coordination of cancer control prevention research activities. As such, he has fostered projects to better understand the basis of individual susceptibility to cancer; the conditions that promote cancer development; and the social and behavioral barriers to effective prevention, treatment, and early detection of cancer. Dr. Baum's current research interests include the biobehavioral aspects of cancer and chronic illness, chronic stress and illness, and psychoneuroimmunology. Dr. Baum received his B.S. in psychology in 1970 from the University of Pittsburgh and his Ph.D. in psychology from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 1974. Prior to joining the University of Pittsburgh in 1993, he was professor of psychology, psychiatry, and neuroscience and assistant to the president for research and sponsored programs at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, where he received the Achievement, Outstanding Service, and Distinguished Service Medals. Dr. Baum is also editor of the Journal of Applied Social Psychology and Journal of Applied Behavioral Research. |
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Professor of Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry and Surgery
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Director of the Immunology Program at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Dr. Finn has conducted research that has contributed significantly to two areas of human immunology: transplantation and tumor immunity. In both areas she has explored the function of effector cytotoxic T cells. (T cells help regulate immune system function, and effector cytotoxic T cells can directly contact infected cells and destroy them.) Since 1985, Dr. Finn has studied the possibility that human T cell responses against tumors may be identified in cancer patients. From this work Dr. Finn and colleagues defined the very first human tumor antigen capable of stimulating immune T cells, which has led to the design of various forms of cancer vaccines. In 1993, the very first trial of a synthetic peptide-based cancer vaccine began at the University of Pittsburgh based on Dr. Finn's laboratory investigations. A native of Yugoslavia, Dr. Finn received her Ph.D. in 1980 from Stanford University's Department of Medical Microbiology. She began her career at Duke University and joined the University of Pittsburgh in 1991. Dr. Finn, who has published over 100 scientific articles, book chapters, and reviews, has received the UPCI Scientific Leadership Award and the University of Pittsburgh Chancellor's Distinguished Research Award. |
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Professor of Medicine and Surgery
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Dr. Trump is deputy director of clinical investigations at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI) and oversees and coordinates all of UPCI's clinical oncology programs. His research focuses on new drug development and genitourinary oncology, with a particular interest in new approaches to prostate cancer prevention and treatment. He is a member of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group and a principal or co-principal investigator on several National Cancer Institute (NCI)-funded protocols, including a bladder cancer treatment protocol that NCI designated as a "high-priority" national trial. Named in Who's Who in America, Science and Engineering (1991, 1994, 1996) and in Best Doctors in America (1994), Dr. Trump receive his B.A. and M.D. from the Johns Hopkins University. He has held faculty appointments at Thomas Jefferson University, Johns Hopkins, the University of Wisconsin, and Duke University Medical Center. Dr. Trump, who joined the University of Pittsburgh in 1992, has authored or co-authored nearly 150 peer-reviewed scientific articles. He is a member of the American Association for Cancer Research, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the American Association for Cancer Education. |
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American Cancer Society - This web site is dedicated to helping everyone who faces cancer. Information is provided on specific cancers, research, patient services, early detection, treatment, and education http://www.cancer.org/ Ask NOAH About: Cancer - This New York Online Access to Health (NOAH) site is a great resource for a wide variety of information about cancer, from learning about the basics of cancer and its care and treatment to information on risk factors, prevention, treatment, statistics, clinical trials, and information resources. http://www.noah.cuny.edu/cancer/cancer.html Cancer Immunology - Contains information on cancer vaccines and provides descriptions of what immune responses are involved in the elimination or persistence of tumors. Also included is a comprehensive description of future prospects in the field. http://www.princeton.edu/~moorjani/mol427/immun.html Cancer Research Institute - Since 1953 the institute has fostered the science of cancer immunology. Its web site includes information on cancer and the immune system, as well as "Help Books" for patients facing prostate cancer and melanoma. http://www.cancerresearch.org/ National Cancer Institute - Contains information for patients, public, and the mass media. Interesting sections include the institute's latest news releases, research at NCI, and information on estimating a woman's chances of developing breast cancer and a sign-up form to order the Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool. http://www.nci.nih.gov/ University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI) - UPCI is has been designated a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute. UPCI's web page has information on its clinical and research programs plus a variety of sources for getting more information. http://www.upci.upmc.edu/ |
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Introduction to the Cellular and Molecular Biology of Cancer. L.M. Franks & N.M. Teich, eds. (Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press, 1997) Matters of Life and Death: Perspectives on Public Health, Molecular Biology, Cancer, and the Prospects for the Human Race. John Cairns. (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1997) Natural History of Intraepithelial Neoplasia in Humans with Implications for Cancer Chemopreventive Strategy. C.W. Boone, C.J. Kelloff, and V.E. Steele. Cancer Research, Volume 52; Number 7. Pages 1651-1659 Scientific American, September 1996: "What You Need To Know about Cancer." (Entire issue devoted to cancer causes, prevention, and therapy.) The Causes and Prevention of Cancer. Bruce N. Ames, Lois Swirsky Gold, and Walter C. Willett. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Volume 92; Number 12. June 6, 1999. Pages 5258-5265. |
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