Update on Ongoing Clinical Trials

Creighton University Medical Center- Omaha, Nebraska, Dr. Brian Loggie

Dr. Loggie continues to treat peritoneal mesothelioma patients on a patient to patient basis. He reports that he has upgraded his treatment technology and he is hoping for improved results since he left Wake Forest University. He reports that on many cases they have been able to destroy tumor ascites. Dr. Loggie is working to assemble a team of experts at the research and treatment levels at Creighton University. Dr. Loggie's studies on peritoneal mesos have been promising (27 month median survival, with 1 documented cure in 8 pts) and good control of ascites.

Dr. Brian Loggie
Professor of Surgery
Chief, Division of Surgical Oncology
Director, Cancer Center
Creighton University Medical Center
Cancer Center-Suite 2321
601 N. 30th Street
Omaha NE 68131
Phone: 402-280-5009

mesothelioma asbestos Treatment and Prevention of Malignant Ascites Associated with Disseminated Intraperitoneal Malignancies by Aggressive Combined-Modality Therapy (9/29/04)

mesothelioma asbestos Intraperitoneal Hyperthermic Chemotherapy (IPHC) for Peritoneal Carcinomatosis and Malignant Ascites. Creighton University Medical Center (CUMU) Cancer Center (9/29/04)

University of Washington/Seattle, Dr. Eric Vallieres

The University of Washington continues to offer the multi-modal regimen of induction chemotherapy (gemcytabine/cisplatin or cisplatin/methotrexate/velbanine) followed by extrapleural pneumonectomy and adjuvant neutrons therapy. Dr. Vallieres and his team are currently reviewing their data prior to publication. They have added new staff and look forward to expanding their research and clincial trials for mesothelioma patients.

Contact: Eric Vallières MD FRCSC
Associate Professor of Thoracic Surgery
1959 NE Pacific St Box 356310
University of Washington Seattle, WA, 98195-6310

University of Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, Dr. Steve Hahn and Dr. Daniel Sterman

The University of Pennsylvania continues to offer a variety of treatment options to mesothelioma patients. If the patients are surgical candidates, they recommend surgery with photodynamic therapy in their clinical trial. They have found this course more appealing than than post-operative radiotherapy since in a substantial number of cases they are able to save the lung. UPENN also has a number of experimental chemotherapy trials that are available.

Dr. Steve Hahn is available by phone or email to answer questions.

Contact: Dr. Steve Hahn
Department of Radiation Oncology
University of Pennsylvania Hospital
3400 Spruce Street, 2 Donner
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-4283
Phone: 215.662.7296
http://www.oncolink.upenn.edu

UPENN's gene therapy trials were put on hold by the FDA last fall (1999) because of a death in a different gene therapy trial at Upenn (not involving mesothelioma). Upenn is in the process of putting into place the monitoring systems that the FDA will require of all gene transfer studies* . The mesothelioma trial will be the first gene therapy trial restarted at Upenn with a prospective start date of April, 2001.

In the interim, UPENN is developing two other intrapleural trials. One with a genetically-altered Salmonella bacterium that replicates selectively in tumors and can deliver therapeutic genes; the other an intrapleural trial of high-dose prolonged infusion of interferon gamma. UPENN continues their trial of surgical debulking followed by intrapleural PDT with Foscan. This trial is run by Drs. Steve Hahn and Joe Friedberg. In addition, they have several Phase I chemotherapy trials administered by Dr. James Stevenson. They continue to evaluate patients with mesothelioma for experimental therapy on a weekly basis at their Center for Lung Cancer and Related Disorders. (215-662-4767).

* January 21, 2001 - Penn pursues testing on genes

University of Chicago Cancer Research Center, Dr. Nicholas Vogelzang

The University of Chicago has three (3) open trials currently: (1) the phase III Clinical trial using ALIMTA/cisplatin, (2) the phase III clinical trial using Adriamycin vs Adriamycin/Onconase, and (3) a phase II clinical trial using SU-5416 (an angiogenesis inhibitor made by Sugen). The U of C recently closed it's trial using (ALIMTA(R) (pemetrexed disodium)) as single agent. The full time research mesothelioma nurse is Kathleen Chien.

Contact: Nicholas J. Vogelzang, M.D.
Fred C. Buffett Professor of Medicine and Chair in Genitourinary Oncology
Director, University of Chicago Cancer Research Center
Professor of Medicine and Surgery (Urology)
5841 S. Maryland Ave., MC 1140
Chicago, IL 60637-1470
Phone: 773-834-4192 (Assistant, Marla Scofield)
Fax: 773-702-0595
http://www-uccrc.bsd.uchicago.edu

Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan, Dr. Harvey Pass

Dr. Pass continues to offer the trimodal regimen involving extrapleural pneumonectomy (or pleurectomy / decortication), with chemotherapy (gemzar/cisplatin) and radiation. In the near future, Dr. Pass with proper funding hopes to offer a Phase III clinical trial involving surgery and a copper chelate (in collaboration with the Mayo Clinic). He may also offer a trial using Aronex (Liposomal platinum) and participate in the ongoing onconase-adriamycin vs adriamycin trial by Alfacell. He continues to pursue basic research on mesothelioma, including early detection.

Contact: Dr. Harvey Pass
Karmanos Cancer Institute
Wayne State University
3990 John R, Suite 2102
Detroit, Michigan 48201
Phone: 313.745.8746
http://www.karmanos.org/

M.D. Anderson, Houston, Texas, Dr. Claire Verschraegen

Currently, MD Anderson has two protocols that are open. Both are testing the concept of immunotherapy. One is stuying interleukin 12 intraperitoneally, the another one is studying FLT3 ligand, a dendritic cell stimulator, also intraperitoneally. One patient with an untreated peritoneal mesothelioma seems to be responding to the FLT3 ligand. Another one is receiving the IL12, and is tolerating the treatment very well. Dr. Verschraegen is working on a phase II study of cisplatin plus CPT-11 for patient with peritoneal mesothelioma. She has previously given this combination to a few patients with some benefit.

Dr. Verschraegen would like to open a program of integrated mesothelioma research at MD Anderson. This would be multidisciplinary.

Contact: Dr. Claire Verschraegen
Department Of Clinical Investigation
University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center
1515 Holcombe
Blvd, Box 39, Rm R7.2215
Houston, Texas 77030
Phone: 713.792.7959
http://www.mdanderson.org/

* NOTE: Dr. Verschraegen is now practicing at:
University of New Mexico Cancer Research and Treatment Center
900 Camino de Salud NE
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131
Phone: 505-272-5837
http://salud.unm.edu

*** POSTED OCTOBER 30, 2000 ***