Researchers from UPCI, Pitt presented results cancer studies AACR is the annual meeting

As cause treatment certain drugs for multiple myeloma/plasmacytoma complications? How are the immune system dysfunctional due to cancer? How secure is a vaccine that colon could prevent development of precancerous polyps? 2 To 6 are among the many questions research answered Institute (UPCI) and the University of Pittsburgh School of medicine by researchers of the University of Pittsburgh cancer during the American Association for cancer 102nd Annual General meeting 2011, April, in Orlando, Florida

UPCI and Pitt researchers presented more than 80 posters, talks and tutorials, as well as leading educational sessions and Chair panel discussions during the event.

Highlights include:

ORAL PRESENTATIONS:

Monday, APRIL 4.

Mechanisms of the complications of multiple myeloma treatments

Suzanne Lentzsch, m.d., PhD., Assistant Professor of medicine and Clinical Director of multiple myeloma program on UPCI, discussed her research which shows how specialization required immunomodulatory derivatives of Thalidomide (Polyetherimide), how such as Lenalidomide and Pomalidomide, with multiple myeloma/plasmacytoma used influence treatment also blood cell production pathways by reducing the production of a protein important for blood cells.

"This leads complications including a reduction in the number of neutrophils, a type of white blood cells and an increase in the a protein, which promotes platelet clumping, which in turn increases the risk of blood clots, for treatment", said Dr. Lentzsch.

Inflammatory mediator drives suppressor cells of that cause immune system dysfunction in cancer

Natasa Obermajer, PhD, research fellow, a project in the laboratory of senior investigator Pavel Kalinski, m.d., PhD., Professor of surgery and UPCI presents researchers which shows single cancer-associated inflammatory mediator called prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) drives the differentiation and stability of myeloid derived suppressor cells, an important role in the emergence of immune system dysfunction and a micro environment that allows cancer cells to grow.

"Our results suggest that there is a positive feedback loop between PGE2 and COX-2, which regulates PGE2 production," said Dr. Kalinski. "If we found this return message loop in suppressor cells cancer patients by blocking COX-2 or PGE2 disrupted signaling receptors, we stopped the ability of cells to suppress cancer-killing immune cells." "This can explore a new avenue for future cancer treatments be."

TUESDAY, 5 APRIL

Cancer vaccines for skin lesions

Olivera Finn, PhD., Professor and head, Department of Immunology, presenting their work in the development of vaccines that abnormal peptides or small pieces of protein, created objective in the development of certain types of cancer. Tumor formation can not be with a vaccine, which generates an immune response against cells that carry this disturbing peptides.

"Vaccines, which as any treatment administered after cancer already has been not very effective," she said. "But if we, the immune system can help find these dangerous cells in individuals, are the high risk of cancer but are still healthy, we would have an intervention that could prevent many cases of the disease."

With colleagues including clinical staff Robert E. Schön, m.d., Professor of medicine, Dr. Finn presented a poster of the provisional results of a colon cancer prevention vaccine is tested for safety at UPMC. None of vaccine recipients were evaluated had generated an immune response to a protein, which is the advanced colon polyps in cancer aberrant during the progression, MUC1 and the vaccine target significant side effects, and half of them. These early results encourage more tests in a randomized study to assess whether the vaccine can prevent adenomatous polyps. Abstract-5510

POSTER PRESENTATIONS:

Novel drug protects esophagus after radiation exposure

More often than untreated animals survive mice that the experimental drug JP4-039 caught, were before the upper body were exposed to radiation. Animals treated 75 percent for 30 days after exposure compared to 30 percent of the untreated group survived. The results could lead to drugs, esophagitis, typical side effect of radiation to prevent treatment of lung cancer. Abstract 2502

Drug seizure provides protection against radiation

In cell and mouse experiments a drug prescribed in the rule to treat mood disorders, epilepsy and trigeminal neuralgia, tempered carbamazepine, the effects of radiation exposure which boost Autophagy, a process in which the cell components removed and discarded. Abstract 2495

Source:
Anita Srikameswaran
University of Pittsburgh schools of the health sciences