Dr. Robert B. Cameron

Curriculum Vitae

Full Name:		Robert Brian Cameron, M.D.
Academic Title:		Associate Professor Cardiothoracic Surgery and Surgical Oncology Chief, Thoracic Surgery Director, Thoracic Oncology Department of Surgery UCLA School of Medicine Chief, Thoracic Surgery West Los Angeles Veterans Administration Hospital
Work Address:		Department of Surgery UCLA School of Medicine Center for the Health Sciences, Room 64-128 10833 Le Conte Avenue Box 957313 Los Angeles, California  90095-1741 email:  rcameron@mednet.ucla.edu
Telephone:		(310) 794-7333 (office) (310) 794-7335 (fax)
Academic Appointments
Associate Professor of Clinical Surgery
Institution: Location: Dates:J Title: Title: Title: Hospitals: Institution: Location: Dates:J Title: Hospitals:		University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles, California July, 2001-present Chief, Division of Thoracic Surgery Surgical Director, Thoracic Oncology Program Surgical Director, Lung Volume Reduction Surgery Program UCLA Medical Center West Los Angeles, Veterans Administration Los Angeles, California July, 2001-present Chief, Division of Thoracic Surgery Wadsworth VA Hospital
Associate Professor of Surgery
Institution: Location: Dates: Title: Title: Hospitals: Institution: Location: Dates: Title: Hospitals:		University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles, California March, 1997-July, 2001 Chief, Section of Thoracic Surgery Surgical Director, Thoracic Oncology Program UCLA Medical Center West Los Angeles, Veterans Administration Los Angeles, California February, 1998-July, 2001 Chief, Division of Thoracic Surgery Wadsworth VA Hospital
Associate Professor of Surgery
Institution: Location: Dates: Title: Hospitals:		University of California, San Francisco San Francisco, California September, 1994-February, 1997 Chief, Section of General Thoracic Surgery Moffitt-Long Hospital UCSF-Mt Zion Medical Center San Francisco Veteran’s Administration Medical Center San Francisco General Hospital Kaiser Permanente Hospital, San Francisco
Education
Medical Education
Institution: Location: Attendance: Insitution: Location: Attendance: Degree:		University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Michigan August, 1980-August, 1982 University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles, California August, 1982-June, 1984 M.D.
Undergraduate Education
Institution: Location: Attendance: Degree:		Stanford University Stanford, California September, 1976-June, 1980 Bachelor of Arts and Science (B.A.S.) in medieval studies  and biology
Training
Cardiothoracic Surgery
Position: Institution: Location: Dates:		Fellow in Cardiothoracic Surgery New York Hospital-Cornell Medical     Center/Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer New York, New York July, 1992-June, 1994
General Surgery
Position: Institution: Location: Dates:		Senior and Chief Resident University of California, Los Angeles  Los Angeles, California July, 1989-June, 1992
Surgical Oncology
Position: Institution: Location: Dates:		Clinical Associate in Surgical Oncology Surgery Branch, National Cancer Institute,    National Institutes of Health Bethesda, Maryland July, 1986-June, 1989
-General Surgery
Position: Institution: Location: Dates:		Intern and Resident University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles, California July, 1984-June, 1986

Honors

Phi Beta Kappa Membership; Stanford University (as junior student): June, 1979
Departmental Distinction; Department of Biology, Stanford University: June, 1980
Alpha Omega Alpha Membership; University of Michigan Medical School (as junior student): December, 1982
Outstanding Faculty Educator, Thoracic Surgery, UCLA Dept. of Surgery, June, 2001

Board Certification

General Surgery: May 5, 1993 (valid until July 1, 2003)
General Surgery recertification: October 18, 2002 (valid until July 1, 2013)
Cardiothoracic Surgery (certificate #5615): June 2, 1995 (valid until December 31, 2005)

Medical Licensure

California: G56430 (active)
Maryland: (inactive)
Virginia: (inactive)
New York: (inactive)

Society Memberships

Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society: since 1979
American Medical Association: since 1980
Alpha Omega Alpha Honorary Society: since 1982
American College of Surgeons Candidate Member: 1986-1994
American College of Surgeons Associate Member: 1994-1997
American Association of Immunologists: 1986-1992
New York Academy of Sciences: since 1987
American Association for the Advancement of Science: since 1987
American College of Cardiology: 1992-1996
New York Society for Thoracic Surgery: since 1993
Longmire Surgical Society: since 1993
New York Hospital-Cornell Cardiothoracic Surgical Society: since 1994
Society of Surgical Oncology: since 1995
San Francisco Surgical Society: since 1996
American College of Surgeons Fellow: since 1997
Society of Thoracic Surgeons: since 1997
American Association for Cancer Research: since 1998
American Society for Clinical Oncology: since 2000
International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer: since 2004
International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer: since 2004

Group Memberships

UCSF-Mt Zion Cancer Center Thoracic Tumor Board (Chairman): 1994-1997
UCSF-Mt Zion Cancer Center: 1995-1997
Cancer and Leukemia Group B (Investigator): 1995-1997
UCSF Thoracic Oncology Research Group: 1995-1997
UCLA-Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center Thoracic Tumor Board (Chairman): 1997-present
Southwest Oncology Group (Investigator): 1997-present
American College of Surgeons Oncology Group (UCLA Principle Investigator): 1999-present

Committees

Local/Regional

Preferred Oncology Network of California Lung Cancer Committee (Chairman): 1994-1995
UCSF Cancer Center Protocol Review Committee: 1995-1997
UCSF Cancer Center Steering Committee: 1995-1997
UCSF-Mt Zion Quality Improvement Council: 1995-1997
UCSF-Mt Zion Surgery Committee: 1996-1997
UCLA-Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center Qualtiy Assurance Committee: 1997-present
UCLA-Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center Committee: 1997-present
UCLA Cancer Committee: 1997-present
UCLA Pain Management Task Force: 2000-present
UCLA ad hoc Peer Review Committee: 2005-present

National/International

CALGB Surgery Committee: 1995-1997
CALGB Thoracic Surgery Subcommittee: 1995-1997
CALGB Respiratory Committee: 1995-1997
SWOG Lung Committee: 1997-present
SWOG Thoracic Surgery Subcommittee: 1998-present
ACSOG Thoracic Committee: 1999-present
SSO Clinical Affairs Committee: 2005-present

Reviewer of Scientific Articles

Cancer ResearchJournal of Immunology
Journal of the National Cancer Institute
Annals of Surgery
Journal of Immunotherapy
Surgical Endoscopy
Lung Cancer
World Journal of Surgery
Annals of Thoracic Surgery

Directorships

Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF), Santa Barbara, California: 1999-present

Consultant

Hemacell, Inc, San Francisco, California: 1993-present
Preferred Health Systems, LLC, Bethesda, Maryland: 1996
Axiom Medical, Rancho Dominguez, California: 2000-present
Pacific Heart, Lung, & Blood Institute: 2002-present

Patents

Bioengineered human blood cells: U.S. patent 5,599,705: issued: February 4, 1997; Australian patent issued
Genetic modification of human blood cells: U.S. patent 5,811,301; issued: September, 9, 1998

Research Topics

1. Cell inactivation by heat (hyperthermia): Stanford University School of Medicine (Drs. George M. Hahn and Gloria Li); 1975-1976.

2. Inhibition of interleukin-2 production by melanoma tumor cell extracts: UCLA School of Medicine (Dr. Donald Morton); 1984.

3. Synergistic antitumor effects of interleukin-2 and interferon-a: National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health (Dr. Steven A. Rosenberg); 1987.

4. Antitumor effects of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation: National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health (Drs. Steven A. Rosenberg and David Sachs); 1987.

5. Normal and antitumor effects of granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF): National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health (Dr. Steven A. Rosenberg); 1988.

6. Methods of mass production of human lymphocytes for use in human immunotherapy trials: National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health (Dr. Steven A. Rosenberg); 1988.

7. Normal and antitumor effects of macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF): National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health (Dr. Steven A. Rosenberg); 1989.

8. Synergistic antitumor effects of interleukin-2, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, and local irradiation: National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health (Dr. Steven A. Rosenberg); 1989.

9. Specific cellular antigens in human lung cancer: UCSF School of Medicine and UCLA School of Medicine 1994-present.

10. Role of interleukin-4 in lung cancer and mesothelioma: UCSF School of Medicine and UCLA School of Medicine, 1995-present.

11. Role of intraoperative radiation in human mesothelioma: UCSF School of Medicine and UCSF-Mt. Zion Cancer Center; 1994-1997.

12. Dendritic cell-derived vaccines in human lung cancer: UCSF School of Medicine and UCLA School of Medicine; 1996-present.

13. Photodynamic Therapy in lung cancer, mesothelioma and esophageal disease: UCLA School of Medicine and Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center; 1997-present.

14. Respiratory monitoring in thoracic surgical patients: UCLA School of Medicine and Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, 2001-present

Invited Lectures

1. Cameron RB. Bleomycin toxicity and bleomycin lung. Surgery Branch Grant Rounds, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD: November 11, 1983.

2. Cameron RB. Video-assisted thoracic surgery. Association of Operating Room Nurses (AORN), San Francisco/Marin County Chapter Educational Program, Shriner’s Hospital for Crippled Children, San Francisco, California: November 9, 1994.

3. Cameron RB. Neoadjuvant therapy followed by resection for stage IIIA lung cancer. 15th Annual Current Approaches to Radiation Oncology, Biology, and Physics, San Francisco, California: March 13, 1995

4. Cameron RB. New methods in the treatment of lung cancer. Grand Rounds, Brookside Hospital, San Pablo, California: April 4, 1995.

5. Bueff HU and Cameron RB. Thoracoscopy with thoracic disk excision. Debating Complex Issues in Spine Surgery, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting, San Francisco, California: April 7, 1995.

6. Cameron RB. Surgical treatment of lung cancer. UCSF Postgraduate Course in General Surgery, San Francisco, California: April 21, 1995.

7. Cameron RB. Iatrogenic esophageal trauma. American College of Surgeons Northern California Chapter Meeting, San Francisco, California: May 13, 1995.

8. Cameron RB and Urba W. Immunotherapy of cancer III: Discussion. 9th International Immunology Congress, San Francisco, California: July 25, 1995.

9. Cameron RB. Lung cancer. Cancer Registry Training Program, UCSF Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, San Francisco, California: August 10, 1995

10. Cameron RB. Surgical treatment of locally-advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Grand Rounds, Mt Diablo Medical Center, Concord, California: September 15, 1995.

11. Cameron RB. Lung Reduction Surgery in COPD. 14th Annual Recent Advances in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, San Francisco, California: October 19, 1995.

12. Cameron RB. Thorascopic approaches to the thoracic spine. Minimally Invasive Anterior Approaches to Thoracic and Lumbar Spine Surgery, San Francisco, California: November 10, 1995.

13. Cameron RB. Lung cancer. Cancer Registry Training Program, UCSF Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, San Francisco, California: February 7, 1996

14. Cameron RB. Lung Reduction Surgery in COPD. Medical Grand Rounds. Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Oakland, California: April 9, 1996.

15. Cameron RB. T cell recognition of non-small cell lung cancer. General Thoracic Biology Club; 76th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery, San Diego, California: April 28, 1996.

16. Cameron RB. What the thoracic surgeon needs from the diagnostic pathologist. 12th Annual Current Issues in Anatomic Pathology: 1996, San Francisco, California: May 24, 1996.

17. Cameron RB. Lung cancer. Cancer Registry Training Program, UCSF Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, San Francisco, California: August 7, 1996.

18. Cameron RB. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the treatment of locally-advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Thoracic Surgery Grand Rounds, UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, California: September 10, 1996.

19. Cameron RB. Lung reduction surgery in COPD. 15th Annual Recent Advances in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, San Francisco, California: October 18, 1996.

20. Cameron RB. The surgeon’s approach to lung cancer. Quarterly Oncology Conference, Mercy Medical Center, Redding, California: November 16, 1996.

21. Cameron RB. Lung cancer. Medical Education Speakers Network, Northridge Hospital Medical Center, Northridge California: November 4, 1997.

22. Cameron, RB. Surgical Approaches to Lung Cancer. Los Angeles Radiologic Society/Southern California Radiation Oncology Society Annual Meeting, Universal City, California: January 23, 1999.

23. Beseth B, Bedford R, Isacoff W, Holmes EC, and Cameron RB. Endoscopic ultrasound does not accurately assess pathology stage of esophageal cancer following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. American College of Surgeons Southern California Chapter Meeting, Huntington Beach, California, January 21, 2000.

24. Beseth B and Cameron, RB. Closure of parenchymal air leaks and buttressing of bronchial closures in an ex vivo swine model. American College of Surgeons Southern California Chapter Meeting, Huntington Beach, California, January 22, 2000.

25. Beseth B, Cameron RB, Leland P, You L, Varricchio F, Kreitman R, Maki RA, Pastan I, Jablons DM, Husain SR, Puri R. Cytotoxin directed to Interleukin-4 receptors for therapy of human malignant pleural mesothelioma xenographs. Society of Thoracic Surgeons 39th Annual Meeting, San Diego, California, January 31, 2003.

26. Cárdenas, AF, Pon, RK, and Cameron, RB, “Management of Streaming Body Sensor Data for Medical Information Systems. The 2003 International Conference on Mathematics and Engineering Techniques in Medicine and Biological Sciences (METMBS ‘03), Las Vegas, Nevada, June 24, 2003.

27. Hofstetter, WL, Cameron, RB, Lad, T, and Holmes, EC. Surgeons Specializing In Lung Cancer Perform Higher Quality Resections. Society of Thoracic Surgeons 40th Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX, 2004.

28. Cárdenas, AF, Pon, RK, and Cameron, R B. Management of Streaming Body Sensor Data for Medical Information Systems, 2003 International Conference on Mathematics and Engineering Techniques in Medicine and Biological Sciences (METMBS ‘03), June 23, 2003, Las Vegas, Nevada.

29. Hofstetter W, Holmes EC, Cameron RB, and Lad T. Surgeons Specializing in Lung Cancer Perform Higher Quality Resections. Society of Thoracic Surgeons Annual Meeting, San Antonio, January 27, 2004.

Bibliography

Abstracts

1. Cameron RB and Rosenberg SA. In vivo synergy between interleukin-2 and interferon-a (IFN) in a murine multiple hepatic metastatic model. FASEB J 2(4):A689, 1988.

2. Cameron RB, Mule JJ, and Rosenberg SA. Evidence against a critical role for MHC upregulation in the in vivo synergistic antitumor activity of interferon-a and interleukin-2. Proc Am Assoc Cancer Res 30:390, 1989.

3. Jablons DM, Roach M, Jahan TM, and Cameron RB. Resection and intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) followed by three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy +/- adjuvant chemotherapy for malignant mesothelioma. Proc 6th Int IORT Symposium, p. 37, 1996.

4. Rajasinghe H, Chen J, Merrick S, Keith F, Jablons DM, and Cameron RB. Postpneumonectomy pulmonary edema. Chest 110(4 suppl):80, 1996.

5. Jablons DM, Cameron RB, Xia W, Leland P, Varricchio F, and Puri R. In vitro and in vivo expression of IL-4 receptors on human malignant mesothelioma: implications for therapy. Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research 38:pending, 1997.

6. Jablons DM, Cameron RB, Xia W, Varricchio F, Lelan P, Kreitman R, Pastan I, Puri R. Detection of IL-4 Receptors on Human Mesotheliomas and Demonstration of Specific Cytotoxicity by a Recombinant IL-4 Pseudomonas Exotoxin Against Human Mesothelioma Cell Lines. Chest 112:115, 1997.

7. Cameron RB, Fishbein M, Crean D, Wong T, Walker J, and Holmes EC. Photodynamic therapy of the normal canine airway with a new photosensitizing agent SnET2. Ann Thoracic Surg, 1999.

8. Schiepers C, Yap CS, Meta J, Seltzer MA, Silverman DH, Gambhir SS, Cameron RB, Phelps ME, Czernin J. Staging of recurrent lung cancer: Value of FDG-PET in therapy selection and management of patients. J Nuclear Med. 41(5 Suppl.), 75P, 2000.

9. Schiepers C, Yap CS, Silverman DH, Meta J, Seltzer MA, Gambhir SS, Cameron RB, Phelps ME, Czernin J. Staging of newly diagnosed lung cancer: Impact of FDG-PET on patient management. J Nuclear Med. 41(5 Suppl.): 109P, 2000.

10. Schiepers C, Yap CS, Seltzer M, Silverman D, Cameron R, Phelps ME, Czernin J. Prognostic value of metabolic imaging in lung cancer. J Nuclear Med. 42(5 Suppl): 300P, 2001.

11. Schiepers C, Yap C, Cameron R, Phelps ME, Czernin J. Metabolic imaging in lung cancer: Prognostic significance of a negative FDG-PET scan. J Nuclear Med. 43(5 Suppl): 114P-115P, 2002

12. Yap C, Schiepers C, Cameron R, Phelps ME, Czernin J. False positive (FP) and false negative (FN) FDG-PET findings of lesions suspicious for lung cancer. J Nuclear Med 43(5 Suppl): 115P, 2002.

13. Yap C, Vranjesevic D, Cameron R, Czernin J. F18-fluoro-thymidine: a new molecular probe for PET imaging of cancer. Ann Surg Oncol: 10(1):S38, 2003.

14. Phillips M, Altorki N, Austin JH, Cameron RB, Cataneo RN, Greenberg J, Kloss R, Maxfield RA, Pass HI, Rom WN, and Tietje O. Prediction of lung cancer using volatile biomarkers in breath. J Clin Oncol 23(16S): 839S, 2005.

Papers

1. Li GC, Cameron RB, Sapareto S, and Hahn GM. Reinterpretation of the Arrhenius analysis of cell inactivation by heat. Third International Symposium: Cancer Therapy by Hyperthermia, Drugs, and Radiation. NCI Monograph 61:111-113, 1982.

2. Moore TC and Cameron RB. Spontaneous perforation of the extrahepatic biliary tract in infancy and childhood. Pediatr Surg Int 1:206-209, 1986.

3. Cameron RB, McIntosh JK, and Rosenberg SA. Synergistic antitumor effects of combination immunotherapy with recombinant interleukin-2 and a recombinant hybrid alpha-interferon in the treatment of established murine hepatic metastases. Cancer Res 48(20):5810-5817, 1988.

4. Eisenthal A, Cameron RB, Uppenkamp I, and Rosenberg SA. Effect of combined therapy with lymphokine-activated killer cells, interleukin-2, and specific monoclonal antibody on established B16 melanoma lung metastases. Cancer Res 48(24):7140-7145, 1988.

5. Cameron RB, Spiess PJ, and Rosenberg SA. Synergistic antitumor activity of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, interleukin-2, and local tumor irradiation. Studies on the mechanism of action. J Exp Med 171(1):249-263, 1990.

6. Eisenthal A, Cameron RB, and Rosenberg SA. Induction of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity in vivo with specific anti-B16 monoclonal antibody. J Immunol 144(11):4463-4471, 1990.

7. Bock SN, Cameron RB, Kragel P, Mule JJ, and Rosenberg SA. Biologic and antitumor effects of recombinant human macrophage colony stimulating factor in mice. Cancer Res 51(10):2649-2654, 1991.

8. Barsky SH, Cameron RB, Osann KE, Tomita DK, and Holmes AC. Rising incidence of bronchioloalveolar lung carcinoma and its unique clinicopathological features. Cancer 73(4):1163-1170, 1994.

9. Cameron RB, Fringer J, Taylor C, Gilden R, and Figlin RA. Practice guidelines for non-small cell lung cancer. Cancer J Sci Am 2(3A suppl):61-68, 1996.

10. Cameron RB, Smith NG, Taylor C, Gilden R, and Figlin RA. Practice guidelines for small cell lung cancer. Cancer J Sci Am 2(3A suppl):69-75, 1996.

11. Jablons DM, Roach M, Jahan T, and Cameron RB. Resection and intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) followed by three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy +/- adjuvant chemotherapy for malignant mesothelioma. Frontiers of Radiat Ther Oncol 31:140-145, 1997.

12. Key SP, Cameron RB, and Jablons DM. The Heimlich Device in Thoracic Surgery. Surgical Tech Int’l VI 91-95, 1997.

13. Xia W, Jablons DM, and Cameron RB. Presentation of tumor antigens by peripheral blood derived dendritic cells in lung cancer patients. Surg Forum 49:432, 1998.

14. Lim M, Martinez T, Jablons D, Cameron R, Guo H, Toole B, Li JD, Basbaum C. Tumor-derived EMMPRIN (extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer) stimulates collagenase transcription through MAPK p38. FEBS Lett. 441(1):88-92, 1998.

15. Beseth B, Bedford R, Isacoff W, Holmes EC, and Cameron RB. The use of endoscopic ultrasound in the assessment of response following induction therapy in esophageal carcinoma. Am J Surg 66(9):827-31, 2000.

16. Lee TT, Everett DL, Shu HK, Jahan TM, Roach M 3rd, Speight JL, Cameron RB, Phillips TL, Chan A, Jablons DM. Radical pleurectomy/decortication and intraoperative radiotherapy followed by conformal radiation with or without chemotherapy for malignant pleural mesothelioma. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 124(6):1183-9, 2002.

17. Cárdenas, AF, Pon, RK, and Cameron, RB. Management of Streaming Body Sensor Data for Medical Information Systems, 2003 International Conference on Mathematics and Engineering Techniques in Medicine and Biological Sciences (METMBS ‘03), June 23-26, 2003, Las Vegas, Nevada.

18. Beseth B, Cameron RB, Leland P, You L, Varricchio F, Kreitman R, Maki RA, Pastan I, Jablons DM, Husain SR, Puri R. Cytotoxin directed to Interleukin-4 receptors for therapy of human malignant pleural mesothelioma xenographs. Ann Thorac Surg, Ann. 78:436-443, 2004.

19. Cárdenas, AF, Pon, RK, Cameron, RB, and Coyle, MA, “The Mobile Patient and Mobile Physician Data Access and Transmission,” The 2005 International Conference on Mathematics and Engineering Techniques in Medicine and Biological Sciences (METMBS ‘05), June 20-23, 2005, Las Vegas, Nevada

20. Dohadwala1 M, SC Yang, Luo J, Sharma1 S, Batra RK, Huang1 M, Lin Y, Goodglick L, Krysan K, Fishbein MC, Hong L, Cameron RB, Gemmill RM, Drabkin HA, Dubinett SM. Cyclooxygenase-2-dependent regulation of E-cadherin expression: PGE2 induces E-cadherin transcriptional repressors ZEB1 and Snail in NSCLC (JCI submitted)

21. Beseth B and Cameron RB. Acute Closure of Parenchymal Air Leaks and Buttressing of Bronchial Closures in an Ex-vivo Swine model. Chest (in preparation).

22. Cameron RB, Fishbein M, Crean D, Wong T, Walker J, and Holmes EC. Photodynamic therapy using a new photosensitizing agent SnET2 in canine airways (in preparation).

23. Cameron RB. Gastropulmonary fistula presenting as a lung abscess: a rare complication of abdominal surgery. (in preparation).

24. Cameron RB. Dermal Metastasis: A novel complication of thoracic epidural catheters. (in preparation).

Other peer-reviewed publications

1. Cameron RB. Lung cancer: specifications for acceptable care. Preferred Health Systems, LLC, Bethesda, Maryland, 1996.

Book Chapters

1. Cameron RB. Introduction to the cancer patient. in Practical Oncology, Robert B. Cameron, editor, Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, CT, 1994.

2. Cameron RB. Principles of surgical oncology. in Practical Oncology, Robert B. Cameron, editor, Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, CT, 1994.

3. Cameron RB. Principles of Immunotherapy. in Practical Oncology, Robert B. Cameron, editor, Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, CT, 1994.

4. Rose L and Cameron RB. Metabolic problems and emergencies. in Practical Oncology, Robert B. Cameron, editor, Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, CT, 1994.

5. Rose L and Cameron RB. Infectious problems and emergencies. in Practical Oncology, Robert B. Cameron, editor, Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, CT, 1994.

6. Rose L and Cameron RB. Dermatologic problems and emergencies. in Practical Oncology, Robert B. Cameron, editor, Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, CT, 1994.

7. Cameron RB and Wong J. Melanoma. in Practical Oncology, Robert B. Cameron, editor, Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, CT, 1994.

8. Cameron RB. Malignancies of the lung. in Practical Oncology, Robert B. Cameron, editor, Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, CT, 1994.

9. Cameron RB. Malignancies of the pleura. in Practical Oncology, Robert B. Cameron, editor, Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, CT, 1994.

10. Cameron RB. Malignancies of the mediastinum. in Practical Oncology, Robert B. Cameron, editor, Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, CT, 1994.

11. Cameron RB. Malignancies of the esophagus. in Practical Oncology, Robert B. Cameron, editor, Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, CT, 1994.

12. Cameron RB. Malignancies of the stomach. in Practical Oncology, Robert B. Cameron, editor, Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, CT, 1994.

13. Cameron RB. Malignancies of the small bowel. in Practical Oncology, Robert B. Cameron, editor, Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, CT, 1994.

14. Cameron RB. Malignancies of the exocrine pancreas. in Practical Oncology, Robert B. Cameron, editor, Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, CT, 1994.

15. Wade T and Cameron RB. Malignancies of the liver and intrahepatic biliary tract. in Practical Oncology, Robert B. Cameron, editor, Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, CT, 1994.

16. Wade T and Cameron RB. Malignancies of the gallbladder and extrahepatic biliary tract. in Practical Oncology, Robert B. Cameron, editor, Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, CT, 1994.

17. Cameron RB. Malignancies of the colon. in Practical Oncology, Robert B. Cameron, editor, Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, CT, 1994.

18. Cameron RB. Malignancies of the rectum. in Practical Oncology, Robert B. Cameron, editor, Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, CT, 1994.

19. Cameron RB. Malignancies of the anus. in Practical Oncology, Robert B. Cameron, editor, Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, CT, 1994.

20. Cameron RB. Malignancies of the adrenal medulla. in Practical Oncology, Robert B. Cameron, editor, Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, CT, 1994.

21. Cameron RB. Malignancies of unknown primary site. in Practical Oncology, Robert B. Cameron, editor, Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, CT, 1994.

22. McIntosh J and Cameron RB. Ewing’s sarcoma. in Practical Oncology, Robert B. Cameron, editor, Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, CT, 1994.

23. McIntosh J and Cameron RB. Rhabdomyosarcoma. in Practical Oncology, Robert B. Cameron, editor, Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, CT, 1994.

24. McIntosh J and Cameron RB. Neuroblastoma. in Practical Oncology, Robert B. Cameron, editor, Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, CT, 1994.

25. McIntosh J and Cameron RB. Retinoblastoma. in Practical Oncology, Robert B. Cameron, editor, Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, CT, 1994.

26. Cameron RB and Gonella JS. Classification Systems (TNM and Disease). in Clinician’s Pocket Reference, Gomella LG, editor, Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, CT, 7th edition, 1993.

27. Cameron RB and Ginsberg RJ. Surgery and neoadjuvant chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer. in Lung Cancer, Carney D, editor, Edward Arnold, Sevenoaks, Kent, England, 1995.

28. Hodder RV, Cameron RB, and Todd TRJ. Lung infections: Bacterial infections. in Thoracic Surgery, Pearson FG, Deslauriers J, Ginsberg RJ, et. al., editors. Churchill Livingstone, New York, 1995.

29. Cameron RB. Contributor. Surgery On Call, Gomella LG and Lefor AT, editors. Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, CT, 2nd edition, 1996.

30. Cameron RB and Jablons DM. Chest wall, pleura, mediastinum, and lung. in Current Surgical Diagnosis and Treatment. Way L, editor. Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, CT, 10th edition, 1996.

31. Cameron RB and Gonella JS. Classification Systems (TNM and Disease). in Clinician’s Pocket Reference, Gomella LG, editor, Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, CT, 8th edition, 1996.

32. Cameron RB. Bedside procedures. in Clinician’s Pocket Reference, Gomella LG, editor. Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, CT, 8th edition, 1996.

33. Robles R, Cameron RB, Roach M, and Cornett P. Lung Cancer. in Current Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment. Henderson IC and Northfelt D, editors. Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, CT, 1997 (in press).

34. Prager D, Cameron RB, Ford J, and Figlin RA. Bronchogenic Carcinoma. In: Textbook of Respiratory Medicine, Murray JF, Nadel JA, Mason RJ, et. al. eds., 3rd ed., Saunders, Philadelphia, 1999.

35. Figlin RA, Cameron RB, and Turrisi AT. Non-small cell lung cancer. In: Cancer Treatment, Haskell CM, ed. 5th ed., Saunders, Philadelphia, 1999.

36. Cameron RB, Loehrer PJ, and Thomas CR. Neoplasms of the Mediastinum. In: Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology, DeVita VT, Hellman S, and Rosenberg SA, eds. 6th ed. Lippincott-Raven, Philadelphia, 2000.

37. Beseth, BD, Cameron RB, Mule JJ. Human Gene Therapy. In: Surgery: Scientific Principles and Practice., Greenfield LJ, ed. 3rd ed. Lippicott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, 2001.

38. Cameron RB, Loehrer PJ, and Thomas CR. Neoplasms of the Mediastinum. In: Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology, DeVita VT, Hellman S, and Rosenberg SA, eds. 7th ed. Lippincott-Raven, Philadelphia, 2005.

39. Cameron RB and Andaz S. Management of Pleural Effusions in Mesothelioma. In: Mesothelioma Pass H et. al., eds. Springer-Verlag, New York, 2005.

Books

1. Cameron RB and Schwarz SL, editors. Laboratory Protocols for the Immunotherapy of Cancer. Surgery Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, 1989.

2. Cameron RB, editor. Practical Oncology. Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, CT, 1994.

Reviews

1. Cameron RB. Book review of Atlas of video-assisted thoracic surgery by WT Brown. Surg Endo 9: 1995.

2. Cameron RB. Book review of General Thoracic Surgery by TW Shields, et. al. World J Surg, 24(12): 1599C-1600, 2000.

3. Cameron, RB Invited commentary on Expansion of chondrocytes in a three-dimensional matrix for tracheal tissue engineering Ann Thorac Surg, 78:448-449, 2004.

PRESENTATION TOPIC: Maintenance therapy for malignant mesothelioma to inhibit new cancerous tumors from forming and possibly extending the time between recurrences. When combined with surgery and radiation, Dr. Robert Cameron reports prolonged life expectancy to 37 months on average.  Click here to watch his presentation: Presentation Link

BACKGROUND:

What is interferon?

A protein produced naturally by the body’s immune system which helps fight infections and viruses.  Interferon alpha in particular fights infection and also prevents tumor formation.

One reason tumors grow in the body is because blood vessels bring nutrients to them.  Mesothelioma is a cancer known to cause many new blood vessels to form allowing multiple and diffuse tumors to grow and spread through the body.  Interferon alpha prevents new blood vessels from growing, which in turn starves tumors and limits their growth.

using interferon as maintenance therapy for mesothelioma may extend a patient’s life. 

Dr. Robert Cameron of UCLA has been treating malignant pleural mesothelioma patients with a daily low dose of interferon alpha since 2002.  Each night before going to sleep, the patient self-injects with a small dose of interferon alpha.  If, over time, the body tolerates the medication well, Dr. Cameron may slowly increase the dose.

Common side effects:

• Flu-like symptoms (fever, muscle pain, joint pain, headache, chills)
• Fatigue and low energy levels
• Discomfort related to food and digestion
• Loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness or confusion
• Mood disturbances such as depression
• Other possible changes such as hair thinning, skin discomfort or rash, dry mouth, or altered sense of taste
• Numbness in the hands or feet
• Autoimmunity

Warning to females of childbearing age: This medicine is not usually given during pregnancy. Use reliable birth control during this treatment. Contact your health care provider right away if you become pregnant during treatment. Do not breastfeed during treatment with this medicine.

Warning to diabetics: This medicine may worsen diabetes, but rarely. Contact your health care provider if your condition changes.

When taken with other medicines, interferon can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Also, using multiple medicines together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your health care provider, especially if you are taking any of these medicines:

• theophylline and aminophylline
• zidovudine (Retrovir, AZT)

Be sure to tell all health care providers who treat you about all medicines you are taking, including nonprescription products, vitamins, and natural remedies. And remember to keep all medicines out of the reach of children. Do not share medicines with other people.

Is Interferon Alpha 2b right for you?

Have your Doctor contact Dr. Robert Cameron at (310) 231-2130 for more information.

FYI:  The Schering Plough Commitment to Care program offers financial assistance to qualified patients:

For some, there may be financial assistance through the Schering Plough Commitment to Care program.  In the U.S. complete your application by downloading this Commitment to Care Application and mailing it to:

Commitment to Care, Oncology Program
6900 College Blvd., Suite 1000
Overland Park, KS 66211

Or via Fax: (866) 277-9328
Questions? Call (800) 521-7157. 

In Canada, call (877) 494-0454 to speak with a specialist who will mail the appropriate forms to you and your doctor.  Hours are Monday – Friday 8 am – 8 pm (eastern).

 Patients with mesothelioma (epithelial and biphasic types only) can now monitor progression of their disease with the MESOMARK blood test.  MESOMARK may help doctors measure a patient’s response to therapy.

The MESOMARK assay is a simple blood test that uses an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) format, which quantitatively measures Soluble Mesothelin-Related Peptides (SMRP) in the blood of mesothelioma patients. SMRP is a biomarker that may be produced by mesothelioma cells that can be elevated in the serum (blood) of patients suffering from mesothelioma. Physicians may be better able to guide treatment options and monitor a patient’s disease by ordering regular MESOMARK tests. This test could be used in conjunction with regular PET/CT scans.

Not all patients will have elevated SMRP levels (above 1.0).  Talk with your doctor about your MESOMARK results to see if the test is appropriate for you.

What to do:
Your MESOMARK test must be order by a physician who is registered with Fujirebio Diagnostics.  Your physician will complete a one-page order form which you will take to an approved ARUP  laboratory so that the blood may be drawn. You must take this MESOMARK test request to a laboratory that is a member of the ARUP system. 

ARUP LABORATORIES IN CALIFORNIA ARE LISTED BELOW.  Please call ARUP at (801) 583-2787 to locate a laboratory near you:

ARUP Labs in the Los Angeles area include:

**UCLA (Recommended)**
www.ucla.edu/healthsci.html
200 Medical Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095
Specimen Collection Information: (310) 825-8080
Map: Click Here
Hours: Mon – Fri 6 am – 7 pm

California Hospital Medical Center
www.chmcla.org
1401 South Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90015
(213) 748-2411
Map: Click Here

Cedars Sinai Medical Center
www.csmc.edu
8700 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048
(310) 423-3277
Map: Click Here

Century City Doctors Hospital
www.ccdoctorshospital.com
2070 Century Park East , Los Angeles, CA 90067
(310) 772-4000
Map: Click Here

Glendale Adventist Medical Center
www.glendaleadventist.com
1509 Wilson Terrace, Glendale, CA 91206
(818) 409-8000
Map: Click Here

Pacific Alliance Medical Center
www.pamc.net
531 W College Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012-2315
(213) 624-8411
Map: Click Here

Simi Valley Hospital
2975 North Sycamore Drive, Simi Valley, CA 93065
(805) 955-6000
Map: Click Here

St. John’s Regional Medical Center
www.stjohnshealth.org
1600 North Rose Ave, Oxnard, CA 93030
(805) 988-2500
Lab Hours: Mon – Fri 7 am – 6 pm, Sat 8 am – 2 pm
Map: Click Here

St. Vincent Medical Center
www.stvincentmedicalcenter.com
2131 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90057
Cancer Treatment Center: (213) 484-7577
Laboratory: (213) 484-7931
Map: Click Here

Temple Community Hospital
www.templecommunityhospital.com
235 N. Hoover St., Los Angeles, CA 90004
(213) 382-7252
Map: Click Here

University of Southern California Norris Cancer Center
http://ccnt.hsc.usc.edu
1441 Eastlake Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90033-0804
(800) USC-CARE
Map: Click Here

University of Southern California University Hospital
www.uscuh.com
1500 San Pablo Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033
(323) 442-8500
Map: Click Here

White Memorial Medical Center
www.whitememorial.com
1720 Cesar E. Chavez Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90033
General Information: (323) 268-5000
Map: Click Here

ARUP Labs in the San Diego area include:

Laboratory Corporation of America
LabCorp, San Diego
13112 Evening Creek Drive South, San Diego, CA 92128
Toll Free: 800-859-6046
Local: 858-668-3700

Sharp Coronado
www.sharp.com
250 Prospect Place
Coronado, CA 92118
619-522-3600
Map: Click Here

All patients should go directly to the laboratory department for registration and testing. Lab services are available Monday through Friday, 7 am to 7 pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 7 am to 3 pm.

Scripps Clinic, Torrey Pines
www.scripps.org
10666 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 455-9100
(858) 554-9552
Lab Hours: Monday – Friday, 6:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Map: Click Here

Located in the Anderson Outpatient Pavilion (AOP) on the Torrey Pines campus with Scripps Green Hospital near the Torrey Pines Golf Course. The blood draw lab is located near the main lobby of the AOP.

Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Chula Vista (South Bay)
835 3rd Avenue
Chula Vista, CA 91910
(619) 409-1600
Map: Click Here

Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Mission Valley
8810 Rio San Diego Drive
San Diego, CA 92108
619-400-5000
Map: Click Here

ARUP lab in Fresno:

Saint Agnes Medical Center
www.samc.com/UMAP.asp
1303 E. Herndon Ave.
Fresno, CA 93720
Lab Phone: (559) 450-3130
Map: Click Here
Lab hours: M-F 5:30 am – 6:30 pm, Sat 5:30 – noon; Closed Sundays

Pacific Heart, Lung & Blood Institute supports a complete ban on products containing asbestos

The original Ban Asbestos Act, drafted in 2001, included a nationally-funded research program for mesothelioma. Specific language for this part of the Act was largely crafted by PHLBI Executive Medical Director,  Robert Cameron, MD.  Six years later, the bill finally got some traction when the U.S. Senate passed it unanimously. 

Unfortunately, modifications to the bill were introduced and only later became public. The revisions ban asbestos-containing materials but ultimately ALLOW ASBESTOS CONTENT UP TO 1% BY WEIGHT.

PHLBI unanimously supports a complete ban on asbestos-containing products and adequate funding for research on asbestos-related diseases. The House Committee on Energy and Commerce’s draft bill, currently referred to as the “committee print,” is the best vehicle to address a true ban and provide meaningful funding.

PHLBI supports the existing committee print as the most effective, science-based standard for effectively banning asbestos. Asbestos is responsible for the worst occupational health epidemic in our country’s history.

 Go to: www.gopetition.com/petitions/totally-ban-asbestos.html and sign a petition to completely ban asbestos in the United States.

“One life lost to asbestos disease is tragic; hundreds of thousands of lives is unconscionable.”…. Linda Reinstein, Asbestos Awareness Activist, who lost her husband to mesothelioma in 2006.

SIX naturally occuring minerals in the earth are defined as asbestos, including: chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, anthophyllite, and actinolite. Inexpensive, flame-resistant, and a great insulator, asbestos was widely used in building construction, naval shipyards, and everyday household products. For example, chrysotile is often present in VINYL FLOOR TILES, ADHESIVES, ROOFING TARS, FIREPROOFING MATERIALS, CAULK, GASKETS, BRAKE PADS AND SHOES, STAGE CURTAINS, FIRE BLANKETS, AND THERMAL PIPE INSULATION. It is still on the market today, and may be present in household items, like older model blow-dryers.

WHY IS IT DANGEROUS?

Asbestos exposure, even for an extremely brief period of time, can cause mesothelioma. If asbestos fibers are inhaled, they can lodge in the lining of the lungs or the heart and cause cancer. If asbestos fibers are ingested, they can lodge in the lining of the abdomen and cause cancer. Symptoms of mesothelioma can take between 10 and fifty years to appear.

John McNamara succumbed to mesothelioma in November of 2007, following a trip to Washington DC to speak with congress about asbestos exposure and the ravages of mesothelioma. John was treated by Dr. Robert Cameron.  The following is from the website www.thejohnmcnamarafoundation.org, a labor of love produced by John’s wife, TC McNamara. TC has been a tireless advocate for the complete eradication of asbestos in the United States and is well known in Washington DC for her tenacity, passion, and desire to help others suffering with mesothelioma.

Our Featured Doctor – Dr. Robert Cameron

It is our goal to feature a Mesothelioma specialist each month, to provide the Meso community with as much information about each specialist as we can. Hopefully we will provide you, the newcomer to this family with additional information about each doctor that you may not know, and hopefully we will also learn of the many new doctors out there that have provided excellent care, hope, and skill to this understaffed nightmare. So with much gratitude, respect, and love we honor Dr. Robert Cameron at UCLA as our first doctor. Besides for giving my family so much support and extended time with John, our hero we so appreciate his care and devotion, he showed and continues to show our family. Is the surgeon still involved?

We found that Dr. Cameron, followed us through every step he guided us as to what our next step was, and offered more hope than we could have imagined. His compassion to help meso patients and their families is so overwhelming, that when you meet him you find the man behind the title is a caring gentle soul.

Dr. Robert Cameron has been at the forefront of developing innovative therapies to extend the lives of hundreds of mesothelioma patients for more than two decades. His “less is more” philosophy guides his treatment approach while his resolve and compassion leads him to continue treating patients long after surgery.

Dr. Cameron’s Technique

As you have or will find, most doctors ask, why a tedious surgery known as a pleurectomy with decortication can save the lungs of mesothelioma patients. For eight hours, Dr. Cameron slowly peels tumor from the lung, diaphragm, and if necessary, pericardium, using mostly his fingers. He performs this longer, technically more involved surgery and is less compensated for the work financially than surgeons who sacrifice the lung in an extrapleural pneumonectomy.

Why?

Because he strongly believes this is the best option for mesothelioma patients. Because less is more in this case, because the lung is usually healthy, because people live better with both lungs, because no clinic trial has proven that removing the lung gives more life, and because it leaves doors open to seek further aggressive treatment when necessary.

Resolve

As Director of the Mesothelioma Program at the University of California at Los Angeles, Dr. Cameron advises patients on more than their surgical options, he continues to guide treatment for the rest of their lives. He developed a protocol for patients to successfully undergo radiation when their lung remains. He discusses the best chemotherapy protocols with oncologists and always tailors treatment to the individual. Most importantly, he recognizes the need to understand the mechanisms of mesothelioma so that treatment for the disease can improve. Dr. Cameron’s approach to commute mesothelioma from a fatal disease to a disease that can be maintained much like high blood pressure or diabetes has had promising results. No cure yet exists for any of these diseases, but continued research provides more options for patients. So when Dr. Cameron is not operating, he works in the laboratory to develop treatment such as interferon-alpha, a natural immune enhancement that helps prevent future recurrences. The John McNamara Foundation along with The Pacific Heart, Lung & Blood Institute is honored to support Dr. Cameron’s research aimed at developing more options and better treatment. His dedication is what ultimately provides hope for current patients and the generations of patients to come.

Linda Reinstein had no idea that she would help lead a global mission to enhance awareness and stop the production of the deadly carcinogen that took her husband’s life in 2006 — asbestos.  Reinstein is executive director and co-founder of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), a nonprofit, volunteer-run international organization that serves as a voice for all asbestos victims and their families. At the 2008 ADAO Asbestos Day Awareness conference, Linda shared the following advice:

Top Ten Pieces of Advice from the Linda Reinstein School of Hard Knocks:

1. Remain informed and organized
2. Trust your instincts
3. Join a network of patients or caregivers
4. Designate a 2nd advocate
5. Live Life – Use your calendar
6. Accept your “new normal”
7. Build your expert medical team
8. Understand your insurance coverage
9. Evaluate your finances and legal documents
10. Talk about your fears – to your spouse, family and friends.  Ask them to share theirs too.

Bonus:  “Most importantly, Live Well, Love Much, Laugh Often”

Please visit Linda’s website at www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org and register for the 2009 ADAO Asbestos Awareness Day Conference in Manhattan Beach, California.  Dr. Robert Cameron will be speaking at the conference on March 28.