Advances in cancer immunotherapy, a promising new area in cancer treatment that harnesses the body’s immune system or natural defenses to destroy cancer cells, are being led by Nina Bhardwaj, MD, PhD, Director of Immunotherapy, and Professor of Medicine (Hematology and Medical Oncology), at The Tisch Cancer Institute. (more…)
A protein that promotes abnormal growth in melanoma cells has been identified for the first time by a team of researchers led by Emily Bernstein, PhD, Associate Professor of Oncological Sciences, and Dermatology, at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
The novel discovery that the H2A.Z.2 protein is highly expressed in melanoma, appears to turn on the cell cycle, and makes melanoma cells grow faster, could also lead to therapeutic strategies that serve to inhibit cell proliferation. The results of Dr. Bernstein’s study were published in the July 2, 2015, issue of Molecular Cell. (more…)
Surviving spouses of patients who received hospice care for three or more days more frequently reported reduced depressive symptoms after the patient’s death compared to spouses of patients who did not receive hospice, according to a study by Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai researchers. The findings were published recently in JAMA Internal Medicine. (more…)
The Office of Graduate Medical Education at Mount Sinai St. Luke’s and Mount Sinai Roosevelt recently held its ninth Annual Resident Research Fair. Five judges reviewed 61 abstracts and three residents received a certificate and prize. The winning abstracts were: “Radial vs. Femoral Access in Acute Coronary Syndrome: Decrease in Mortality, Major Adverse Cardiac Events and Bleeding–An Update Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials,” presented by Abel Casso-Dominguez, MD; “Review of Ascites and Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis (SBP) Diagnosis and Treatment for Cirrhotic Patients at MSSLR–A Follow Up,” by Vijay Dalapathi, MD; and “Randomized Controlled Trial of Insulin Detemir vs. Insulin NPH for the Treatment of Pregnant Women with Gestational Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes,” by Kimberly Herrera, MD.
A unique method of increasing the number of cord blood stem cells used to treat patients with blood cancers and blood disorders, such as sickle cell anemia, is being readied for clinical trials at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, with an $8.8 million grant from the New York State Stem Cell Science Program (NYSTEM).
The stem cells—also known as hematopoietic stem cells—are derived from the vein of the umbilical cord and help renew and replenish blood cells. They represent the only potential therapy for blood cancer patients who do not respond to chemotherapy. The new method is necessary to compensate for the limited number of stem cells that are typically found in blood cord collections and the fact that using stem cells from two or more blood cord collections is generally not a viable option because the blood cells are not identical. (more…)
Mount Sinai scientists and clinicians are making notable advances in the study and treatment of heart failure, a common condition that occurs when the heart becomes too weak to pump and circulate enough blood through the body. Diseases that damage the heart—such as coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes—can lead to heart failure, which develops over time as the heart’s pumping action grows weaker. It impacts an estimated 5 million adults and children in this country. (more…)