Future Research Proposals
The Pacific Heart, Lung & Blood Institute reviews all research proposals thoroughly before funding projects. Proposals are analyzed first by the Scientific Advisory Committee before they are submitted to the Board of Directors for final approval.
PHLBI's Dr. Robert Cameron has been at the forefront of researching innovative therapies for extending the lives of mesothelioma patients. While his ongoing research is underway at PHLBI's Punch Worthington Research Laboratory, we are also considering the following research proposals:
Immunotherapy: IL-4
Immunotherapy is a progressive treatment option designed to enhance the body's natural defense system, which protects us against a variety of diseases. Many other cancers already utilize various forms of immunotherapy. Significant data and experience indicate that mesothelioma may be successfully treated with manipulation of the immune system. One promising treatment option to be utilized with surgical therapy is the immunotoxin called interleukin-4 or IL-4. Development of this treatment would move from laboratory benchwork to clinical trial.
Maintenance Therapy: Interferon Alpha
Much like high blood pressure and diabetes, we are not likely to totally eradicate every last mesothelioma cell. However, a reasonable immediate goal is controlling the disease with chronic suppressive therapy. No cure exists for high blood pressure or diabetes, yet patients with these diseases may expect a reasonably long and high quality life.
Patients with mesothelioma would have tumor bulk minimized via surgery or chemotherapy. Following this, a drug is administered to keep the tumor cells from expanding, thus leading to a normal life expectancy, despite the presence of small amounts of disease. This study would utilize the resources of the database and tissue bank listed below and include basic, correlative genetic and protein studies. A prime molecule for this type of approach has been identified as interferon alpha. This will begin clinical trials shortly.
Disease Prevention
A strategy for prevention of asbestos-related cancers is a high priority. Practically no one is taking this approach to the problem. Since asbestos exposure leads to chronic inflammation, we plan to study the use of one or more anti-inflammatory agents, like Celebrex, that are currently available for other diseases, such as the prevention of colon cancer in high risk individuals and treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. Clinical outcomes will be monitored through the below-mentioned database and biologic parameters will also be studied as part of a tissue bank.
Patient Registry/Database and Tissue Bank
Groups of high risk individuals, such as Navy Veterans, Union laborers, miners/residents of high risk areas (Libby, Montana, etc.) will be identified. Health data, as well as tissue and blood specimens will be collected to identify and quantify the risks (genetic, etc.) of developing asbestos-related cancer. Periodic additional data (and possibly specimens) will aide the correlation of data to patient outcomes and survival. This will require significant participation from the above groups and resources to cover tissue/blood storage and data acquisition.
Administrative Improvements in Medical Care: MD Bank
In addition to its research into therapeutic and scientific advancements, PHLBI is committed to investigating ways in which the administration of medical care can be improved so that patients are vested with additional knowledge, security, and control regarding their treatment. One such improvement is the development of an electronic medical records system directly accessible to patients.
Such a system would enable data to be directly entered from point of generation and allow for the coordinated transfer of medical information among providers and research studies. This type of system would result in complete and organized records possessed by all persons and facilities involved in the treatment, thereby increasing the time for meaningful discussions of medical problems between health care providers and patients and improving the quality and efficacy of patient care.