Progress Report
Reports of the Clinical Vice Chairmen
Surgical Oncology
The Tumor Immunotherapy Program has grown rapidly, and we are now conducting 15 clinical studies of new biologic agents for various types of cancer, including malignant melanoma, colon, prostate, pancreatic, and kidney cancer. In addition, we are trying to determine how vaccines recognize and destroy tumor cells in order to create more effective treatments for a variety of cancers.
Our Tumor Immunotherapy Program has made recent advances with the potential to revolutionize our approach to metastatic melanoma. We are currently leading a clinical trial to determine the effectiveness of two melanoma vaccines designed to create a strong immune response, enabling the patient's T-cells to fight the tumor. We are the first in the United States to target these vaccines to the tumor site.
Columbia recently joined with other institutes in the New York metropolitan area to establish a Melanoma Consortium, providing the most up-to-date information for both patients and physicians.
The Tumor Immunotherapy Program maintains a specialized unit for the administration of Interleukin-2 (IL-2), a natural protein that helps boost the immune system in patients with melanoma, colorectal cancer, and kidney cancer. These individuals have experienced lasting reductions or elimination of their tumors after treatment.
In early 2005, we initiated the first US trial of a kidney cancer vaccine that, given in combination with IL-2, boosts the body's natural immune system as a way of fighting cancer. We expect that combining the vaccine with IL-2 will double the patient's response rate, offering new hope for those with kidney cancer.
In addition to our many research projects, we are involved in the education of medical students, nurses, residents, physicians, graduate students, and fellows who are caring for cancer patients.
Surgical Oncology
www.columbiasurgery.org/pat/onc
