Upcoming Studies
Prostate Cancer
Prostate Cancer Circulating Tumor Cells (CTC)
The CellCollector EpCAM02, a new medical device to monitor circulating tumor cells in the peripheral blood stream, was developed by the GILUPI GmbH (Germany) and is now distributed by GILUPI America Inc. The detection of tumor cells in the blood can be an indication that the tumor has spread. With this knowledge, therapeutic measures can be taken. To draw inferences from the number of tumor cells about the severity of the disease might be possible. In the application of this product a thin and sensitive medical wire, like a catheter, is inserted into the blood stream. The John Wayne Cancer Institute will be the first to test this device for prostate cancer in the United States.
Bladder Cancer
Intravesical Bladder Treatment
To prevent bladder cancer progression, techniques have been developed to instill treatment compounds and drugs directly into the bladder. These will come in contact with the bladder tissue killing cancer cells and preventing recurrence. The majority of bladder cancer patients present with superficial bladder cancer. Most patients have low to intermediate risk cancer and about 75 percent have superficial urothelial carcinomas (NMIBC – non muscle invasive bladder cancer). Many chemotherapeutic agents have demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of superficial disease. The optimal regimen as far as drug, timing, dosage, and method of instillation needs continuous rigorous study. Currently, we are doing a trial to answer these questions and provide patients more options.
Urology Database
With the urology database, our goal is to collect and store demographic data, disease characteristics, treatment parameters, and follow-up information on patients treated at the John Wayne Cancer Institute Cancer Clinics at Providence Saint John’s Health Center for urological conditions. The database will be used to evaluate the safety and efficacy of various urological interventions from clinic to surgery, as well as monitor all urological disease through the course of treatment and follow up. The data collected will allow physicians to improve outcomes for future patients treated for urological problems, by assessment of treatment parameters, tumor control rates and the incidence of side effects.