Julian Simon, M.D., Program Head
Slattery group:
Primary collaboartions within the Center are with Drs. McDonald, Anasetti, Hansen,
Appelbaum and others to diminish the toxicity of marrow ablative preparative
regimens without compromising efficacy. We have diminished the incidence of
regimen related toxicities in busulfan containing regimens and diminished the
incidence of relapse in CML treated with HLA-matched sibling grafts to approximately
5% (from 17-20% previously). We are now working on the role of cyclophosphamide,
and have linked the incidence of hepatic veno-occlusive disease in CY/TBI regimens
to exposure to an acid metabolite of hydroxycyclophsophamide. We are (1) implementing
a clinical study to evaluate the effect of targeting the exposure to this metabolite
to tolerable levels without compromising engraftement, (2) seeking to identify
the genes associated with high levels and (3) extending the result to the BU/CY
preparative regimen. Collaboration outside the center is principally with Maynard
Olsen at the University of Washington.
Shen group:
Pain research is an integral part of the biobehavioral sciences research agenda
within the Long-Term Complication Program. The collaboration between the pharmacology
and the biobehavioral sciences group represents a unique interdisciplinary collaboration
in support of much needed translational research in the pharmacology and therapeutics
of pain medications. One specific focus of our research is neuropharmacologic
interactions between antidepressants (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake
inhibitors) and opioid analgesics in the treatment of cancer-related pain. We
are also studying the regulation of cytochrome P450 enzymes and blood-brain
barrier efflux transporters (multidrug resistance related proteins) as determinants
of opioid pharmacodynamics.
Simon group:
The focus of our research is the development of new anticancer agents. Our principal
collaboration is with the Developmental Therapeutics Program of the NCI. This
ongoing screen of NCI compounds has led to the identification of several potential
anticancer agents. Among the most promising of these are new topoisomerase I-sensitive
compounds that are structurally distinct from the camptothecins, and anitmitotic
agents that do not target tubulin. These compounds are currently being evaluated
in preclinical studies. We are also collaborating with Drs. Hockenbery and Appelbaum
on the development of new agents for the treatment of multiple myeloma. Additionally,
we have collaborated with Drs. Kemp and Eisenman in Basic Science Division on
identifying new anticancer drug targets.
 | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
