SAN DIEGO (December 4-7, 2004) — Physician-scientists from NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center and Weill Cornell Medical College have presented their latest research concerning blood disorders at the American Society of Hematology's (ASH) 46th Annual Meeting in San Diego, Dec. 4-7. ASH is the world's largest society concerned with the research and treatment of blood disorders, such as leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and hemophilia. Below is a selection of presentations from NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell doctors:
Stem Cell Research and Gene Therapy
Dr. Rafii and Dr. Crystal
Understanding what influences hematopoietic stem cells and their progenitors, or, in more lay terms, what causes blood stem cells to form and develop, has been the focus of Dr. Shahin Rafii's work. At ASH, Dr. Rafii discusses the discovery of a new polymorphism in leukemia research. He also addresses a Scientific Committee on the role of chemokines and their receptors in hematopoiesis.
- Newly Discovered Polymorphism in the CD34+ Stem Cell Specific AC133-P1 Promoter Linked to Leukemias. [2002]
Sunday, Dec. 5, 2004, 6:00 p.m. - Scientific Committee on Hematopoietic Growth Factors: The Role of Chemokines and Their Receptors in Hematopoiesis.
Saturday, Dec. 4, 2004, 2:00 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 5, 2004, 9:45 a.m.
In Vivo gene transfer, a novel technique for transferring genes and appropriate controlling elements to specific organs, has been the focus of Dr. Ronald G. Crystal's work. The technique has important consequences for both research and patient care, as it permits analysis of gene expression in the relevant physiologic milieu and also the treatment of hereditary and acquired diseases. At ASH, researchers present findings from Dr. Crystal's study on using gene therapy to treat von Willebrand disease (VWD), the most common inherited bleeding disorder, affecting 1% to 3% of the U.S. population.
- Correction of a Murine Model of von Willebrand Disease by Gene Transfer. [3180]
Monday, Dec. 6, 2004, 5:30 p.m.
Lastly, in a third session, Dr. Rafii presents findings from a study that explores influences on the regeneration of bone marrow vasculature. This study combines knowledge from both fields (stem cells, gene therapy) and is a collaborative effort with Dr. Crystal.
- Tie-2 Activation Is Required for Regeneration of Marrow Vasculature, Supporting Hematopoietic Reconstitution. [1297]
Saturday, Dec. 4, 2004, 6:00 p.m.
Dr. Rafii is attending physician and director of The Ansary Stem Cell Institute at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell; professor of medicine and the Arthur B. Belfer Professor of Genetic Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College. Dr. Crystal is attending physician at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell; chairman of genetic medicine, director of the Institute of Genetic Medicine, professor of medicine, professor of genetic medicine, and the Bruce Webster Professor of Internal Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College.
Alternatives to Chemotherapy
Dr. Leonard, Dr. Niesvizky, Dr. Coleman, Dr. Furman, and Dr. Abramson
Much of the present-day research in hematology and oncology focuses on developing immune-based treatments, such as antibodies and vaccines, to treat myeloma and lymphoma. These "magic bullet" alternatives to chemotherapy allow physicians to selectively target cancer cells while minimizing toxicity to normal tissues. During several sessions, Dr. John Leonard, Dr. Ruben Niesvizky, Dr. Morton Coleman, Dr. Richard R. Furman, Dr. David H. Abramson, and others from Weill Cornell present findings from their research in this field.
- Depsipeptide in the Treatment of Relapsed and Refractory Multiple Myeloma (MM): A Prospective Evaluation of the Cell Cycle. [1497]
Saturday, Dec. 4, 2004, 6:00 p.m. - A Phase II Study of SGN-30 (Anti-CD30 Monoclonal Antibody) in Patients with Refractory or Recurrent Hodgkin's Disease. [2635]
Sunday, Dec. 5, 2004, 6:00 p.m. - Periocular MALT Lymphomas (Conjunctival/Orbital): Complete Responses with Antibiotic Therapy. [2493]
Sunday, Dec. 5, 2004, 6:00 p.m.
Dr. Leonard is medical director of the oncology unit and assistant attending physician at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell; assistant professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College. Dr. Niesvizky is clinical director of the multiple myeloma service at the center for lymphoma and myeloma and assistant attending physician at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell; assistant professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College. Dr. Coleman is attending physician at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell; clinical professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College. Dr. Furman is assistant attending physician at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell; assistant professor of medicine, and the Charles, Lillian, and Betty Neuwirth Clinical Scholar in Oncology at Weill Cornell Medical College. Dr. Abramson is attending ophthalmologist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell; clinical professor of ophthalmology at Weill Cornell Medical College. He is also chief of the ophthalmic oncology service at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
Leukemia and Myeloproliferative Diseases
Dr. Silver
Research centered on leukemia and myeloproliferative diseases has been the life's work of Dr. Richard T. Silver. Specifically, Dr. Silver has focused on what mutations cause the overproduction of red blood cells and lead to hyperviscosity (blood that is thicker than normal). During several sessions at ASH, Dr. Silver presents data from clinical trials involving the medication GLEEVEC.
- Four Years of Follow-Up of 1,027 Patients with Late Chronic Phase (L-CP), Accelerated Phase (AP), or Blast Crisis (BC) Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) Treated with Imatinib in Three Large Phase II Trials. [23]
Sunday, Dec. 5, 2004, 5:30 p.m. - Imatinib Mesylate (GLEEVEC®) Is Effective in the Treatment of Polycythemia Vera: A Multi-Institutional Clinical Trial. [656]
Monday, Dec. 6, 2004, 3:45 p.m. - Pretreatment Cytogenetic Abnormalities in Polycythemia Vera (PV) Determines the Effectiveness of Imatinib. [2431]
Sunday, Dec. 5, 2004, 6:00 p.m.
Dr. Silver is attending physician at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell; professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College.
Understanding Hemarthrosis in Hemophilia
Dr. Acharya and Dr. Lyden
Hemarthrosis, or bleeding into a joint, is the most common manifestation of hemophilia. When the bleeding is recurrent, bone and cartilage surrounding the joint are often destroyed and a patient's mobility is impaired. The clinical events of "how" this happens are understood, but scant evidence exists to explain "why" it does — an important step in developing and delivering treatments. Dr. Suchitra S. Acharya and her colleagues present evidence explaining the role angiogenesis plays in the process.
- A Role for Angiogenesis in Hemophilic Synovitis. [42]
Sunday, Dec. 5, 2004, 5:45 p.m.
Dr. Acharya is assistant attending pediatrician at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell; assistant professor of pediatrics at Weill Cornell Medical College. Dr. Lyden is director of cellular oncology at the Children's Blood Foundation Laboratories, and assistant attending pediatrician at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell; associate professor of pediatrics and cell biology and genetics at Weill Cornell Medical College.
Treating Mucositis in Chemo and Stem Cell Patients; Results of Velcade Trial
Dr. Schuster
Dr. Michael W. Schuster presents findings from two important clinical trials. One involves a recent class of drugs from the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family that shows great promise in treating mucositis, a painful side effect for many cancer patients undergoing high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) or autologous peripheral blood stem-cell transplantation. NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell is the world's only site for this Phase I clinical trial. The second study is an international Phase III clinical trial testing the efficacy of Velcade for treating relapses in patients with multiple myeloma. The study involves 93 medical centers around the world, and is the largest randomized study to date in relapsed multiple myeloma.
- Phase I Trial of CG53135-05 to Prevent Mucositis in Patients Undergoing High-Dose Chemotherapy (HDCT) and Autologous Peripheral Blood Stem-Cell Transplantation (PBSCT). [1161]
Saturday, Dec. 4, 2004, 6:00 p.m. - Bortezomib Demonstrates Superior Efficacy to High-Dose Dexamethasone in Relapsed Multiple Myeloma: Final Report of the APEX Study. Session Type: Oral Session. [336.5]
Monday, Dec. 6, 2004, 2:15 p.m.
Dr. Schuster is attending physician and director of the stem-cell transplantation program at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell; professor of clinical medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College.
Preventing the Effects of Myocardial Ischemia at the Neuronal Level
Dr. Levi
It is known that the excessive release of norepinephrine (NE) from cardiac sympathetic nerve terminals is an established cause of dysfunction in patients with myocardial ischemia. With this knowledge in hand, Dr. Roberto Levi and his colleagues set out to explore the role of endogenous and exogenous nucleotidases in developing novel therapeutic approaches to myocardial ischemia and its consequences. Their initial work utilized nerve terminals isolated from guinea-pig hearts (cardiac synaptosomes). In the study to be presented, they utilized tissue from human and porcine heart.
- ATP-Induced Modulation of Norepinephrine Exocytosis in Human and Porcine Heart: Role of E-NTPDase1/CD39. [1869]
Sunday, Dec. 5, 2004, 6:00 p.m.
Dr. Levi is professor of pharmacology at Weill Cornell Medical College.
Preventing Thrombosis
Dr. Marcus
As part of research into a new treatment for occlusive vascular diseases, Dr. Aaron J. Marcus and his colleagues isolated and characterized ecto-CD39/ADPase, a naturally occurring protein that represents the main system for protecting blood fluidity. (The excessive activation of blood platelets — or blood clotting — is the main cause of occlusive vascular diseases.) At ASH, Dr. Marcus and his colleagues present findings from two studies. Both studies focus on hastening the evolution of a blood clot by stabilizing the activation of blood platelets.
- Generation of a Novel Engineered Murine Apyrase in Pichia Pastoris. Enzymatic Profile and Inhibition of Human Platelet Reactivity. [1846]
Sunday, Dec. 5, 2004, 6:00 p.m. - Antithrombotic Activity of a Novel Engineered Human Apyrase. Enzymatic Profile, Ex Vivo and In Vivo Properties. [530]
Monday, Dec. 6, 2004, 4:15 p.m.
Dr. Marcus is attending physician at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell; professor of medicine, and professor of medicine in pathology and laboratory medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College.
Exploring Large B-Cell Lymphomas
Dr. Cesarman
It is known that activation of the NF-kB pathway is involved in many human neoplasms, but work by Dr. Ethel Cesarman and her colleagues went deeper. They examined the status of the NF-kB canonical (IkB, p50/p65) and non-canonical (p52, RelB) pathways, both of which are a common and heterogeneous group of lymphoid malignancies. Dr. Cesarman presents their findings.
- Activation of Classical and Alternative Nuclear Factor-kappaB (NF-kB) Pathways in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphomas. [29]
Sunday, Dec. 5, 2004, 5:30 p.m.
Dr. Cesarman is associate attending pathologist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell; director of viral oncogenesis in the division of pathology and laboratory medicine, and associate professor of pathology and laboratory medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College.
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