Byline: Pat Berti
Pittsburgh recognized as a cancer research hub
Pittsburgh’s reputation as a major health care center began when Dr. Jonas Salk developed the first polio vaccine in the 1950’s and was reinforced by the pioneering liver transplant research of Dr. Thomas Starzl. Now, Pittsburgh seems to be distinguishing itself as a cancer research center as well.
The Pittsburgh Cancer Institute has been developing new approaches to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer since its founding in 1984.
PCI is a consortium that includes the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University and the six hospitals affiliated with Pitt’s Medical and Health Care Division — Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Eye and Ear Hospital of Pittsburgh, Magee-Womens Hospital, Montefiore-University Hospital, Presbyterian-University Hospital and Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic.
Two years ago, PCI was one of 21 sites nationwide designated as a National Cancer Institute Clinical Cancer Research Center.
Most recently, PCI has been testing a new diagnostic method that can detect colorectal cancers earlier than is currently possible.
The two studies combine monoclonal antibodies with a radioactive agent so radiological techniques can pinpoint the exact location of a lesion. Monoclonal anti-bodies are artificially manufactured components of the immune system that search out tumors wherever they are found in the body.
This method enables the detection of cancers as small as 0.3 centimeters in diameter. These cancers are too small to be detected by the conventional diagnostic tools, CT scanning and magnetic resonance imaging.
The studies use a monoclonal antibody that targets carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in the blood serum of patients. This particular antibody has been used successfully in similar studies for more than 10 years, but this investigation uses a smaller fragment of the antibody, allowing earlier imaging by currently available scanning techniques.
At press time, PCI representatives were not available for comment on these and other studies.
Another indicator of Pittsburgh’s strength as a cancer research center is a five-year, $900,000 award from the National Cancer Institute to the Allegheny-Singer Research Institute (ASRI) for its Community Clinical Oncology Program (CCOP). ASRI is the research arm of Allegheny General Hospital.
The goal of the CCOP program is to provide communities that might not have access to experimental and advanced cancer treatments with NCI-approved clinical research protocols.
This grant to the Allegheny-Community Clinical Oncology Program (A-CCOP) is the third such award from NCI’s Division of Cancer Prevention and Control competitively granted to ASRI. Only 51 CCOPs were funded nationwide for the coming year, and Allegheny is one of just two Pennsylvania hospitals funded for the program.
Through A-CCOP, patients of community-based physicians at a number of participating hospitals may enter clinical trials on a voluntary basis, enabling them to have access to major protocols of such national oncology groups as the Southwest Oncology Group and the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project.
In addition to Allegheny General, oncologists at the Western Reserve Care System, Youngstown, Ohio; Jameson Memorial Hospital, New Castle; Sewickley Valley Hospital; Washington Hospital; Frick Community Health Center, Mount Pleasant; Mercy Hospital, Altoona; North Hills Passavant Hospital; and the Beaver Medical Center, Department of Radiation Oncology; currently participate in A-CCOP.
According to Dr. Reginald P. Pugh, director of the Division of Medical Oncology at Allegheny General and principal investigator of A-CCOP, in addition to the obvious medical benefits, the program is also convenient for patients.
“It brings cutting-edge treatment and control to communities and eliminates laborious trips to Pittsburgh,” he said.
Pugh said a major concern is funding the program with the $900,000 grant. “It is not really enough,” said Pugh. “The program costs $1.5 million over five years, so we’re trying to raise additional funds.”
In addition to being beneficial to the patients, Pugh said A-CCOP also benefits oncologists, making them collaborators, not just competitors.
Pugh said that with the type of cancer treatment available in Pittsburgh, there is little need for cancer patients to leave town for care.
“I can’t think of any major area in which Pittsburgh is behind,” said Pugh. “The talents and programs are in the community.”
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