Treatment program expanded
An expanded stem cell transplantation program is being undertaken at the Yale Cancer Center at Yale-New Haven Hospital YNHH. The program aims to increase the number of stem cell transplants and to accommodate several clinical research projects aimed at improving patient outcomes using stem cells.
A primary characteristic of the new program is the integration of basic research and clinical applications. Dr. Bernard Forget, professor of medicine hematology and genetics, has been named director of the research aspects of the program, while Dr. Dennis Cooper, associate professor oncology of medicine and surgery otolaryngology, will direct the program's clinical elements. These include both allogeneic, stem cells taken from a donor other than the patient, and autologous, stem cells collected from patients themselves procedures.
This new, integrated program will "give patients better and more rapid access to new cancer therapies," says Dr. Vincent T. DeVita, professor oncology of medicine and director of the Cancer Center.
Stem cell transplantation now plays a key role in the treatment of lymphomas, breast and ovarian cancers and an increasing number of other hard-to-treat cancers. It is widely believed the blood transfusion method specific to the procedure may ultimately replace the more difficult and painful bone marrow transplants many cancer patients require.
Stem cell transplantation aids a cancer patient by allowing physicians to rebuild the patient's bone marrow. Stem cells infused in a patient mature to cells that produce red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets - factors that prevent infection or bleeding. The patient then is better able to undergo aggressive, high-dose chemotherapy treatments, and to subsequently recover from the high doses of drugs.
Transplantation of stem cells has been ongoing for the past three years at the Yale Cancer Center, which brings together the resources of the School of Medicine and YNHH. About 130 procedures have been performed each year.
The expansion of the stem cell program parallels the development of the center's new Gene Therapy Program, led by Dr. Albert Deisseroth, professor of medicine. The program involves the insertion of genes into "vectors," or particles that carry a functional gene. These vectors are often inserted into stem cells as a way of introducing a gene into a patient. The center is also conducting collaborative projects in stem cell transplantation with Connecticut hospitals that are members of the Yale Oncology Network.
"Check It Out"
Teenagers in area high schools have been learning about how to minimize their risk for breast and testicular cancer through the "Check It Out" program presented by staff members from the Yale Cancer Center and YNHH. The program is sponsored by the hospital, the American Cancer Society and the Jewish women's organization Hadassah.
The program seeks to raise awareness about the benefits of regular self-examinations and to instill the habit at an early age. "Breast cancer is easily detected, and if it's found soon enough it can usually be treated," Donna Danbury, clinical nurse coordinator at the Cancer Center, recently told a class of young women at Hamden High School. "It's a good idea to start examining your own breasts now, so you get used to doing it regularly." As the all-female class learned about breast cancer risk and detection, their male counterparts were next door, learning about testicular cancer, a disease that commonly strikes between the ages of 15 and 35.
Cheshire Academy, Hamden Hall, and North Haven and Guilford High Schools also took part in the program.