Groundbreaking Research Begins for Pancreatic and Lung Cancers

/PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Tech and Saint Joseph's Hospital have joined together to begin the first regional research program to study the genetics and cell biology of pancreatic cancer. Tissue and serum samples from patients with cancer are being scrutinized to identify the differences in genetic and cellular features between normal and tumor cells. Findings from this research will be used for the ultimate purpose of developing tests for early diagnosis and identifying specific, targeted therapies to treat pancreatic cancer.

"The traditional treatment philosophy of 'one size fits all' is quickly becoming obsolete," says George Daneker, MD, the Medical Director of Oncology Research at Saint Joseph's Hospital and co-principal investigator of the study. "No two individuals are alike nor are two cancers; each is unique based on genetic and protein makeup."

Working with John McDonald, PhD, Chair of the School of Biology at Georgia Tech, and based on the research strategies from the acclaimed work of Dr. McDonald and Benedict Beningo, MD, with ovarian cancer patients, the current research is the first to focus on pancreatic cancer, accepted to be the most fatal of common cancers. Pancreatic cancer is similar to ovarian cancer in that it often goes undetected until the disease is too far advanced for curative therapy.

Dr. McDonald, recognized as a world authority in molecular genetics and genomics and Dr. Daneker, a surgical oncologist with an extensive background in basic and translational research, are applying state-of-the-art technologies toward identifying aberrant molecular and cellular mechanisms. Using microarray technology, gene expression patterns in pancreatic tumor tissue are compared with those present in the normal pancreas tissue. Microarray technology allows examination of more than 20,000 genes in a single experiment. Differences in the expression of genes encoding cellular proteins are of special interest with regard to the development of specific treatments.

There is also interest in the molecular basis of chemotherapy resistance. Some tumors respond very well to chemotherapy while others acquire resistance. By comparing the gene expression patterns in tumors that have become resistant to chemotherapy with patterns of these same tumors prior to chemotherapy, the research team hopes to identify the genes which mediate resistant. Identification of the mechanisms of resistance could lead to the development of treatment strategies that overcome the resistant pathways, making all tumors more responsive to treatment.

The research efforts will also focus on screening and early detection. By using a powerful analytical tool called mass spectrometry, coupled with data analysis using a "super-computer," the group hopes to identify patterns of molecular expression unique to cancer patients. This can lead to a sensitive screening test that only requires one drop of blood to run.

"Georgia Tech has the most advanced technology and the scientists who can help move these 'bench' research projects closer to 'bedside' treatments for patients at a very rapid rate," says Daneker. "Saint Joseph's brings the clinical expertise to take the treatments directly to the patient faster. It's a very unique partnership that facilitates rapid discovery and satisfies both our missions to bring the best treatments to patients in the quickest, safest way."

Saint Joseph's and Georgia Tech plan on expanding the collaborative research to lung cancers in April, as well as to prostate and colorectal cancers in the following months.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

Closing Open Heart Surgery: Saint Joseph's Performs Georgia's First Totally-Closed, Beating Heart Bypass Surgery

/PRNewswire/ -- Patients facing open heart surgery for coronary artery bypass or valve repairs just got some great news: open heart surgery doesn't have to be open anymore.

Sudhir P. Srivastava, MD, a cardiothoracic surgeon at Saint Joseph's Hospital in Atlanta and the world leader in performing beating heart, totally-endoscopic, coronary artery bypass surgery, has started performing the procedures in Georgia.

"Dr. Srivastava performed the first-in-Georgia procedure on Friday, March 20 and the patient was released on Sunday, March 22," says Kirk Wilson, president and CEO of Saint Joseph's Hospital.

"With robotic assistance, Dr. Srivastava performed the single coronary artery bypass through four small, dime-sized incisions reducing the patient's recovery time, trauma to the body and risk of infection."

Dr. Srivastava is one of the world's most experienced cardiac robotic surgeons and has performed nearly 1000 robotic cardiothoracic surgical procedures since 2002. Three hundred and fifty have been singe and multi-vessel (two, three and four vessel), beating heart, totally-endoscopic coronary bypass procedures (TECAB). TECAB is done through four or five fingertip-size incisions and associated with functional recovery in days rather than months compared to the other traditional approaches. Dr. Srivastava has numerous world's firsts in robotic and minimally-invasive cardiac surgery and has unmatched expertise in obtaining bilateral internal mammary arteries using the robotic surgical system.

"This TECAB procedure for obtaining the mammary arteries is the gold standard of treatment for patients," says Dr. Srivastava. "The benefits are proven: faster recovery, less scarring, reduced risk of infection and a faster return to normal living."

With the addition of Dr. Srivastava to Saint Joseph's robotics program, cardiac patients have a choice of 'closing' open heart surgery for most procedures.

Dr. Srivastava performed a double bypass procedure on Monday, March 23 and that patient also was able to be discharged two days later on March 25, much sooner than the typical five - seven day hospital stay required for traditional open procedures.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

Heart Disease: An Epidemic For Firefighters

/PRNewswire/ -- H. Robert Superko, MD, principal investigator in the landmark FEMA-sponsored study of firefighters aged 40 and over conducted at Saint Joseph's Hospital in Atlanta, released preliminary findings in the world's first study of first responders at risk of suffering sudden death or other significant cardiac events. Firefighters are known to have a three hundred percent increased risk for cardiac disease as compared to other segments of the population.

"Preliminary findings show that one third of firefighters had heart disease that is unrelated to traditional risk factors, such as high cholesterol," says Dr. Superko. "Those results are astounding and point at job duties and environment as the primary determinants for early death in our country's first responders."

Dr. Superko, recognized as a leading expert on lipids, cholesterol and advanced metabolic markets and their contribution to heart disease, and his team performed a comprehensive, scientific battery of sophisticated blood and imaging tests on three hundred firefighters in Gwinnett County, Georgia. Gwinnett County first responders were identified for the study following an emotional report by Fire Chief Steve Rolader, following the sudden death of one of his firefighters from cardiac arrest while fighting a house fire.

"This wasn't the first firefighter in my department to die but I wanted to do something to make it among the last," says Chief Rolader. "This man was 53 years old, in great physical shape and he had no known symptoms of heart disease. We also had lost several newly-retired firefighters to sudden cardiac death. There had to be a way to stop it."

Study volunteers underwent a comprehensive genetic screen of more than a million genes including newly identified KIF6 (statin responsiveness gene) and 9p21 (myocardial infarction gene), advanced phenotype (blood) and imaging analyses, diet and exercise review over the year-long study. Results and explanations were presented to the groups followed by individual consultations. Complete statistical and comprehensive genetics results are expected this year.

According to Dr. Superko, stress and psychological pressures related to the job, as well as diet, exercise issues and inherent personality, interacting with a genetic predisposition to heart disease, probably have tremendous impact on the risk of heart attack in these first responders.

"Imagine being awakened from a dead sleep by a loud, shrieking siren several times during the night, responding through the rush of adrenaline, carrying a hundred pounds of equipment on your back, and meeting people at the very worst possible moments in their lives every day and you can begin to understand the toll it takes on the first responders," says Superko. "And, consider the emotional and psychological stress they encounter each day as they respond to society's most brutal moments from murders to car wrecks and death. Finally, those who serve as first responders have a mind-set and a desire to help people. They certainly bring a competitive nature to the job but also a profound desire to help and to do the best for others. All these elements create an environment that puts them at an increased risk for cardiac disease."

In response to the growing awareness to issues of diet and exercise, Gwinnett Fire Department has instituted exercise programs within local firehouses and the county now re-reimburses for fitness club memberships. The department also educates firefighters on proper diet and nutrition with one-on-one opportunities as well as "lunch and learn' programs in the station houses. And, over the years, the traditional firehouse alarm in Gwinnett stations has been replaced with softer alarms and even-voiced prompts to awaken sleeping first responders.

As a result of the study, Saint Joseph's Hospital and Dr. Superko's team implemented a two month screening program for all Atlanta first responders (firefighters, Police and EMS) regardless of age in order to provide them with some basic and advanced diagnostic tests at prices affordable to firefighters.. Several physicians are providing their services free of charge.

"There are tremendous costs associated with early deaths of our first responders in every community as we lose men and women in their 30s, 40s and 50s who are our first line of defense but who don't live to perform their jobs for very long," says Chief Rolader. "With the results of this study, we can implement programs across the country that will save lives."

Final results are expected to be submitted for presentation consideration at the annual American Heart Association meeting.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page