HSC Media Relations

Adding Breast Ultrasound Screening Mammography Reveals Cancers not Seen on Mammography Alone in Women at Increased Risk for Breast Cancer

2008-05-14T20:31:12Z

Keck School of Medicine of USC one of 21 sites that participated in study

Los Angeles, Calif. May 14, 2008—In women at increased risk for breast cancer, adding a screening ultrasound examination to routine mammography revealed 28 percent more cancers than mammography alone. However, the additional ultrasound exam substantially increased the rates of false positive findings and unnecessary biopsies, according to an American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN) study published in the May 14, 2008 issue of the Journal of American Medical Association. The Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California was one of 21 participating sites.

This ACRIN study enrolled 2,809 women at increased risk for breast cancer and the research data from 2,637 of these women were eligible for analysis. The criteria used to determine an increased breast cancer risk included: participant age of 25 years or older, dense breasts, prior atypical breast biopsy, personal and/or or moderate family history of breast cancer. The study was made possible through funding from a novel private-public partnership between the Avon Foundation and the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Forty women were diagnosed with breast cancer within 12 months of the initial screening. Mammography alone revealed 20 cancers (50 percent of all cancers detected) for a cancer detection rate of 7.6 women per 1,000 women screened, though one cancer was dismissed. The combination of mammography plus screening ultrasound revealed 31 cancers (78 percent of all cancers detected) for a cancer detection rate of 11.8 women per 1,000 women screened. Eight of the 40 cancers were not seen with either mammography or ultrasound at the time of the initial screen, but were discovered later during the twelve month period for a rate of three cancers missed per 1,000 women screened.

The risk of incurring an unnecessary biopsy due to a false positive exam result from the supplemental screening ultrasound was also substantially increased in this study. Mammography alone prompted an unnecessary biopsy for one in 40 women in this study. The combination of mammography and ultrasound screening prompted an unnecessary biopsy for one in 10 women, or four times more women having an unnecessary biopsy.

According to Linda Hovanessian, M.D., associate professor of radiology at the Keck School of Medicine of USC and site principal investigator for the study, “For women at elevated risk of breast cancer, we learned that ultrasound finds cancers not seen by mammography. However, we also learned that there is a significantly higher false-positive rate associated with the addition of an ultrasound exam. This means something suspicious was seen on the ultrasound which as the result of a biopsy turned out not to be cancer. When discussing the option of supplementing mammography with screening ultrasound with women, it will be important to alert them about the increased risk of having a biopsy due to a false positive exam.”

The Department of Radiology at the Keck School of Medicine, led by department chair Edward Grant, M.D., has been a leader in this critically important research, she noted.

The American Cancer Society recently recommended certain women at very high risk for breast cancer be screened with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in addition to mammography, and these results do not change that recommendation. Women who do have screening MRI do not need screening ultrasound. Women who are at increased risk, who are currently undergoing mammographic screening and are not recommended for MRI, or for whom it is not available or not tolerated, may wish to consider adding screening ultrasound.

Women should talk with their doctor about their breast cancer risk profile and whether a screening ultrasound exam supplemental to mammography might be beneficial, keeping in mind the potential for a false positive result and an unnecessary biopsy. At present, there is a limited supply of trained personnel and facilities who offer screening ultrasound. Women also should consult their health insurance policy regarding the coverage for breast cancer screening options. An annual mammogram is still recommended: neither MRI nor ultrasound is meant to replace mammography.

The study continues to follow participants to examine the potential benefit of routine annual combination screening of mammography and ultrasound.

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Fired Up

2008-05-14T00:31:01Z

Summer is just around the corner and for many that often means stockpiling charcoal for a season of grilling and family picnics. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 74 million Americans took part in a barbecue last year. Many questions, however, have been raised through the years about the safety of eating foods cooked over the sizzling grill.

Before you fire up the coals, Mariana Stern, Ph.D., assistant professor of preventive medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC provides some tips on how to keep your family and friends healthy without giving up grilled steaks or kabobs.

“Although there’s no conclusive evidence that charred meats or those cooked at high temperatures will cause cancer, there are studies that suggest that they might,” says Stern. “The studies show that charred or well-done meats accumulate certain carcinogens that have been known to induce tumors in rodents.”

Stern also mentions that many studies have found diets high in well-done red meat to possibly increase the risk of several cancers.

So what does that mean for barbecue lovers?

“As with anything else in life, moderation is the key,” advises Stern. “You don’t have to pack up the grill.

The World Cancer Research Fund recommends eating no more than 18 ounces of red meat per week and preferably even less processed meats, which include bacon, cold cuts and sausages. Also, eating more vegetables is known to protect against various cancers.”

As for the harmful effects resulting from cooking over a flame, Stern points out that not only charred or well-done meats contain carcinogens, but the smoke that rises from the burning of fat dripping on the flames can also leave a coat of cancer-causing compounds on the meat. Before you abandon the grill, there are ways to cut down the accumulation of these harmful chemicals.

“Marinating meat with teriyaki sauce or turmeric-garlic sauce have shown to lower formations of heterocyclic amines, which comprise one of two main types of carcinogens that can form in cooked meats, according to some studies,” says Stern. She cautions that honey-barbecue sauce actually increased the formation of this particular carcinogen in one study.

Stern also suggests turning down the flames when grilling. “The hotter the grill, the more likely carcinogens will accumulate. Cooking the meat longer over a lower temperature may prevent meat from overcooking or charring.”

Flipping the meat often is also known to reduce the accumulation of carcinogens. Stern recommends microwaving the meats before hitting the barbecue, as this has been shown to reduce the formation of carcinogens.

She also warns that simply replacing red meats such as beef and lamb with poultry on the grill will not lower the risk of cancer caused by overcooking meats. “Poultry has been shown to accumulate even higher levels of some carcinogens than beef. Fish also accumulates carcinogens, but may have protective benefits.”

“Using leaner cuts of meat may cut down carcinogen buildup that is left behind from the smoke,” says Stern. “The formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, another form of carcinogenic compound, occurs when fat from the meat drips on the flame. The smoke surrounds the meat and leaves the residual carcinogens behind.”

Therefore, cooking meat with a lower fat content and further away from the flames is probably a good idea, says Stern. But she also emphasizes the importance of cooking the meat enough to destroy the harmful bacteria that can cause foodborne illnesses.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, roasts and steaks should be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit and chicken breasts should be cooked to 170 degrees.

More research is needed regarding the risk of cancer and grilled meats, says Stern. However, decreasing overall red meat intake, increasing vegetables and fruits in your diet and using proper cooking methods can help balance the possible harmful effects of grilling and are good tools in reducing cancer risk in general, she concludes.

USC Receives $5 Million to Support Innovative Cancer Research

2008-05-13T17:19:38Z

Whittier Foundation gift will help the discovery of new therapies and cancer detectors

Los Angeles, Calif., May 12, 2008- Continuing its support of medical innovation, the L.K. Whittier Foundation announced it is expanding upon the cutting-edge research initiatives at the USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center.

This $5 million gift will extend funding of the L.K. Whittier Foundation Innovative Tailored Therapies Initiative at USC/Norris and the Keck School of Medicine of USC. The foundation previously supported establishing this initiative back in 2002.

Created in 1955 by Leland K. Whittier and the Whittier Family, the Los Angeles-based foundation supports innovative endeavors in education, the sciences, and health and medicine.

The L.K. Whittier Foundation Innovative Tailored Therapies Initiative at USC/Norris is a multi-year program to address the needs of scientists in developing successful new therapies to treat cancer patients. This latest gift will support the program for five years.

Obtaining funding for the early stages of a research idea—no matter how exciting—can be extremely difficult. It requires writing long proposals to committees that rule on scientific merit.
That time and effort is often better spent in the laboratory. This gift will help alleviate some of those pressures.

"The Whittier Initiative has been instrumental in enabling more than 40 faculty physicians to conduct pilot research studies,” says Peter Jones, Ph.D., director of USC/Norris. "These studies have led to additional federal funding, clinical trials and publications, and continue to push the cancer research frontier in our quest to deliver more effective therapies.”

Funding from the Whittier Foundation has led directly to patients receiving access to new non-toxic therapies, the development of new detectors for lung cancer plus the discovery of new makers to predict the response of colon and breast cancer patients to therapy.

The USC/Norris committee created by the initiative makes funding decisions and stays with the project all the way through, says Jones.

Tailoring therapies for individuals and predicting a patient’s cancer risk is a hallmark of USC/Norris, says Jones. And that is the sort of science the Whittier initiative was designed to fund — science that could make a difference in the lives of USC/Norris cancer patients and, ultimately, cancer patients everywhere.

"A researcher’s success is usually measured by how much grant funding he or she receives," says Jones. "Here, we want to measure them by the fact that they actually did something to help patients. The Foundation’s gift allows us to do that.”

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USC Receives Nearly $27 Million in Funding for New Stem Cell Research Facility

2008-05-07T18:52:44Z

USC’s proposal of a five-story laboratory building includes extensive shared space

LOS ANGELES, May 7, 2008 - Noting the project as innovative in terms of energy efficiency and research collaboration, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) awarded nearly $27 million in funding for a new stem cell facility at the University of Southern California (USC). USC was one of 12 California institutions considered for CIRM’s Major Facilities Grants, which will provide $271 million to build stem cell research facilities throughout California. The new facility will be named the Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at USC.

”We are honored to be selected for funding as a CIRM institute,” says Martin Pera, Ph.D., director of the Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at USC. “The funding will provide a tremendous boost for USC’s stem cell initiative.”

The $26.9 million will be used to establish a five-story building that would allow USC to carry out stem cell research in three categories: basic and discovery stem cell research, preclinical research and preclinical development and clinical research. The new facility will include 53,000 assignable square feet.

“The new center at USC will be an important addition to our campus as we create new research space for discoveries that will eventually translate to patient care,” says Carmen Puliafito, M.D., M.B.A., dean of the Keck School of Medicine of USC.

USC’s proposal received formal approval today by the Independent Citizens Oversight Committee (ICOC), the 29-member governing board for the institute. CIRM evaluated the technical aspects of an applicant’s building program and how the scientific program aligns with its objective.

“These facilities will house basic and clinical researchers working collaboratively, with stem-cell-specific core labs literally ‘down the hall’ - an arrangement that is critical to our ability to accelerate the pace of research toward clinical application,” says Alan Trounson, president of CIRM. “Because of this, we believe these facilities will be an instrumental part of advancing one of CIRM’s primary objectives of helping to speed the delivery of stem-cell based therapies and cures into the clinic and to patients.”

The funding received today will supplement a $30 million gift made in 2006 by the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation towards a stem cell facility.

CIRM was established when voters passed Proposition 71 in 2004 to borrow and spend $3 billion over 10 years to support stem cell research. To date, USC has received nearly $51 million in stem cell grants from CIRM. USC is also a part of the Southern California Stem Cell Scientific Collaboration (SC3), which is an agreement between six research institutions in Southern California allowing members to share training programs, scientific core facilities and expertise, and to team up on a wide range of research programs.

For more information on USC’s stem cell program, please visit http://stemcell.usc.edu.

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USC Researcher Reveals New Model For Embryonic Limb Development

2008-04-30T17:45:21Z

Growth factors at distal tip of embryonic limb act as instructive molecules in animal models

Los Angeles, April 30, 2008—A study led by a researcher at the University of Southern California has found a new model to explain how signals between cells in the embryo control limb development.

The study, which will be published in the May issue of the journal Nature and now available online, found that secreted growth factors at the distal tip of the embryonic limb act as instructive molecules that control the pattern of bones along the length of the limb in an animal model.

“For many years, biologists have been fascinated by the question of how the skeleton forms during embryonic development so that all the bones are in the proper place and the proper shapes, says Francesca V. Mariani, Ph.D., assistant professor at the Keck School of Medicine of USC and one of the lead authors of the study. “Much of the research has been focused on the limb as a framework for understanding the basic steps of skeletal development.”

Researchers have long known that the apical ectodermal ridge (AER), a special epithelial structure at the distal tip of the embryonic limb, is important for limb outgrowth. Less clear has been the role of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family that emanate from the AER, Mariani says.

“Our study shows that FGFs are not just important for limb outgrowth but act as instructive molecules that control the pattern of bones along the length of the mouse limb,” she says. “The study of limb development may help contribute to the further understanding of how limbs might regenerate.”

Mariani, a recent recruit to the Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at USC conducted the research while at the University of California, San Francisco. She worked in collaboration with Gail Martin, a pioneer in embryonic stem cell research.

Researchers concluded that FGFs act as instructive molecules by examining the expression of a gene called Meis1 found at the proximal portion of the developing limb bud. The new model presented in the study proposes that proximal and distal domains are specified by two opposing signals: a proximal signal from the flank and a distal signal from the AER, and that a middle domain forms as an interaction between the two domains or two signals.

The model proposed by the study is provocative because it is similar to a model proposed for limb regeneration in amphibians, Mariani says. The findings could have a significant impact on future study in this area.

“This exciting study proposes a new model to explain how signals between cells in the embryo control the growth and formation of the mammalian limb,” says Martin Pera, Ph.D., director of the Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at USC. “Tissue repair processes in the adult often use the same cellular programs in building the embryo, so these new findings may provide important clues to guide future treatment of injuries using cell-based therapies.”

The study was supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health awarded to Gail Martin. Francesca Mariani was supported by postdoctoral grants from the NIH and the American Heart Association.

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Francesca V. Mariani, Christina P. Ahn & Gail R. Martin. “Genetic evidence that FGFs have an instructive role in limb proximal-distal patterning,” Nature (2008). Doi:10.1038/nature06876

Stroke Experts at USC

2008-04-18T18:55:36Z

USC has some of the nation’s leaders in research, care and prevention of stroke. Experts, many who are members of the USC Comprehensive Stroke Program, range from cardiologists to occupational therapists to world-class surgeons. The following are all available this month for comment:

Atherosclerosis:
Howard Hodis, M.D., is the director of the Atherosclerosis Research Unit and associate
professor of medicine and preventive medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. He is a nationally recognized expert on women and heart disease, antioxidents and heart disease, and estrogen and heart disease. His broad range of expertise covers causes, imaging and treatments of atherosclerosis, as well as coronary thrombosis.

Neurology/Stroke Research:
Gene Sung, M.D., M.P.H., is an assistant professor of clinical medicine and the director of the neurocritical care and stroke division at USC Comprehensive Stroke Program. His current research interests are in the areas of outcomes of stroke and neurocritical care, intracranial pressure and reperfusion. Sung is also a founding member and the president of the Western States Stroke Consortium.

Amytis Towfighi, M.D., is an assistant professor of neurology at the Keck School of Medicine of USC and director of acute neurology and stroke at the division of stroke and critical care at USC. Her recent study found that middle-aged American women who gain weight, especially around the waist, increased their risk of stroke significantly.

Neurosurgery:
Steven L. Giannotta, M.D., is a professor and chair of neurosurgery at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. His clinical interests include stroke and various surgical approaches to intracranial vascular conditions.

Stroke Rehabilitation:
Carolee J. Winstein, Ph.D., is an associate professor of biokinesiology and physical therapy and director of the motor behavior and neurorehabilitation laboratory at USC. Her research is focused in the areas of motor control and learning with particular emphasis on movement disorders, recovery, and rehabilitation of function/motor learning after neurological damages. She has published extensively on neurorehabilitation approaches to enhance recovery and repair after a stroke.

Vascular Medicine:
Leonardo Clavijo, M.D., Ph.D., is the director of Vascular Medicine and Peripheral Vascular Interventions, and assistant professor of clinical medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. Dr. Clavijo is an expert on peripheral arterial disease (PAD), carotid disease, aortic disease and cardiac and coronary interventions. He is fluent in Spanish.

For more information on the USC Comprehensive Stroke Center, please visit: http://www.usc.edu/schools/medicine/departments/neurology/stroke/index.html.

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USC Study Finds Evidence of Gender-Related Differences in Development of Colon Cancer

2008-04-15T18:29:23Z

Gene variants indicate opposite survival outcomes for women and men

Los Angeles, April 15, 2008—A new study by researchers at the University of Southern California (USC) has found evidence that supports gender-related differences in the development and survival of metastatic colon cancer.

The study, which will be published in the April 15 issue of the journal Cancer Research, found that specific gene variants linked to the development of colon cancer resulted in opposite survival outcomes for men and women.

Germline variations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) DNA —a gene widely expressed in colonic tissue—has been linked with poor prognosis in colon cancer, says Oliver Press, an M.D. student at the Keck School of Medicine of USC and lead author of the study. However, when researchers looked at EGFR as a prognostic factor, they found that it had opposite implications for men and women.

“We expected to find that high expression would correlate with a poor prognosis and faster growth of the cancer,” says Press. “What we found was that men followed the expected trend, while women’s response was the opposite.”

Researchers analyzed 318 patients—177 men and 141 women—with metastatic colon cancer treated at the USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and the LAC+USC Medical Center between 1992 and 2003. All the patients were exposed to similar chemotherapy treatments. When genomic DNA samples were analyzed, researchers found that women who had specific gene variants linked with high expression of EGFR had higher overall survival rates, while men with the same variants had lower survival.

-more-

“This is the first report to show that the prognostic value of EGFR depends on gender,” says Heinz-Josef Lenz, M.D., professor of medicine at the Keck School of Medicine and the principal investigator on the study. “This may suggest that, in the future, molecular markers should be evaluated differently in women and men and that treatment decisions may depend on gender and not only on molecular or clinical findings.”

Previous research has shown a protective effect of female hormones in colon cancer survival, Press notes. The findings of the study indicate that hormone receptors are important to signal pathways related to the survival of patients.

ki, he says.

“Research will need to be done to determine whether women and men respond differently to certain cancer therapies,” Press says. “Down the road we may see targeted chemotherapy that is tailored to get the best response from male and female patients.”

The study was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health,
the San Pedro Guild Research Fund and Charles Bittick.

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Oliver A. Press, Wu Zhang, Michael A. Gordon, Dongyun Yang, Georg Lurje, Syma Iqbal, Anthony El-Khoueiry and Heinz-Josef Lenz., “Gender-Related Survival Differences Associated with Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Polymorphisms in Metastatic Colon Cancer.” Cancer Research, April 15, 2008. Doi:10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-07-2718.

Tenet and the University of Southern California Reach Tentative Agreement Regarding USC University Hospital and USC Norris Cancer Hospital

2008-04-14T20:31:00Z

DALLAS and LOS ANGELES - April 14, 2008 - Tenet Healthcare Corporation (NYSE: THC) and the University of Southern California today announced they have signed a non-binding letter of intent for the University to acquire USC University Hospital and USC Norris Cancer Hospital, both located in Los Angeles. Financial terms were not disclosed.

A lawsuit was filed by the University of Southern California in August 2006 seeking to terminate the relationship between USC and Tenet. In November 2007, Tenet filed a counterclaim against the University seeking monetary damages. The parties seek to resolve the lawsuit by reaching agreement on sale terms for these two hospitals.

“USC is committed to working on an expedited basis to reach agreement with Tenet,” said Steven B. Sample, President of the University of Southern California. “The long-term vision of the University includes operating state-of-the-art healthcare facilities and enabling USC faculty physicians in the Keck School of Medicine to provide medical care of the highest quality, conduct research, and train more than 1,000 residents and medical students at these hospitals and the Los Angeles County + USC Medical Center. This acquisition would enable us to reach our vision of a fully integrated health care organization on USC’s campus.”

Trevor Fetter, President and Chief Executive Officer of Tenet, said, “We would have preferred to continue our long-standing partnership with the University, however, we explored every avenue to resolve this dispute and have now decided to reach a settlement and move forward. We’re pleased to have reached this tentative agreement.”
A Tenet subsidiary operates USC University Hospital, a 411-bed acute care hospital and the USC Norris Cancer Hospital, a 60-bed cancer hospital. Both hospitals are managed under an agreement with USC and are located near downtown Los Angeles.

Tenet Healthcare Corporation, through its subsidiaries, owns and operates acute care hospitals and related ancillary health care businesses, which include ambulatory surgery centers and diagnostic imaging centers. Tenet is committed to providing high quality care to patients in the communities we serve. Tenet can be found on the World Wide Web at www.tenethealth.com.

The University of Southern California is one of the world’s leading private research universities. The Keck School of Medicine of USC is home to the Doctors of USC - internationally recognized physicians practicing in a multitude of clinical specialties. They practice in private clinics on USC's Health Sciences Campus and in several affiliated hospitals including the USC University Hospital, USC Norris Cancer Hospital, the Doheny Eye Institute, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and the Los Angeles County + USC Medical Center. USC can be found online at www.usc.edu.

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Some of the statements in this release may constitute forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on Tenet Healthcare Corporation’s current expectations and could be affected by numerous factors and are subject to various risks and uncertainties discussed in Tenet’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Tenet’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2007, Tenet’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and periodic reports on Form 8-K. Do not rely on any forward-looking statement, as Tenet cannot predict or control many of the factors that ultimately may affect its ability to achieve the results estimated. Tenet makes no promise to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of changes in underlying factors, new information, future events or otherwise.

Researchers at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles Identify a Novel Mechanism to Overcome Resistance to Targeted Therapy

2008-04-10T22:02:19Z

Findings are published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute

LOS ANGELES - Min H. Kang, PharmD, director of the Leukemia Preclinical Testing Laboratory of the USC-CHLA Institute for Pediatric Clinical Research at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, and an assistant professor of pediatrics at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC), has identified a novel mechanism to overcome resistance to targeted therapy.

Dr. Kang’s findings are published in the current issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute in an article entitled, “Mechanism of Synergy of N-(4-Hydroxyphenyl) retinamide and ABT-737 in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Cell Lines: Mcl-1 Inactivation.”

Acute Lymphoblastic Anemia (ALL) is the most common childhood cancer with 2,400 newly diagnosed cases each year in the United States. “The purpose of our study is to develop a combination of novel drugs that will improve treatment outcome of childhood ALL by targeting a family of proteins named Bcl-2, that cause drug resistance in leukemia,” Dr. Kang said.

To date, 25 different Bcl-2 family proteins have been identified. Some of these proteins increase cell death, while others inhibit cell death. “By targeting ‘pro-life’ Bcl-2 proteins, we expect to improve the outcome of leukemia treatments,” Dr. Kang said.

ABT-737 is currently being tested in adult cancer patients. “We found that a protein called Mcl-1 is increased in leukemia cells that are resistant to ABT-737 when the cells are treated with the agent,” Dr. Kang said. “We also found that tumor cell resistance to ABT-737 can be overcome by another drug that we are testing, called fenretinide. We have observed that fenretinide inhibits Mcl-1, and the inhibition of Mcl-1 expression is likely to underlie, at least in part, the synergistic cytotoxicity between ABT-737 and 4-HPR in ALL cell lines.”

Dr. Kang received a bachelor’s degree from Chungbuk National University (1990) in South Korea, and a doctorate (1998) from the University of Colorado.

Dr. Kang has authored more than 40 peer-reviewed articles and abstracts.

The USC-CHLA Institute for Pediatric Clinical Research (IPCR), established in 2006 with an anonymous $15 million grant, is one of the most active and productive pediatric clinical trials programs in the nation, conducting research on pediatric illness and disease with a particular emphasis on clinical trials. The IPCR’s programs are designed to find the best means to diagnose, treat and prevent pediatric disease and to promote child and adolescent health.

The IPCR’s Development Therapeutics Program conducts translational and clinical research focused on developing novel therapies to treat catastrophic childhood illness, in particular leukemia and neuroblastoma.

Understanding Autism: April is National Autism Awareness Month

2008-04-04T19:32:53Z

Current estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say autism may affect as many as 1 in every 150 children, making it more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes and AIDS combined.

Classified as a severe neurodevelopmental disorder with early childhood onset, the symptoms produce significant impairments in social, communicative, cognitive and behavioral functioning. According to Steven Moldin, Ph.D., research professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, these symptoms typically last through a person’s lifetime. Many scientists believe that both genes and environmental factors play a role in the development of autism, but to date no specific genetic or environmental risk factor has been clearly established as a cause of the condition, Moldin says.

There are no cures for autism, but pharmacological, behavioral and psychosocial interventions can change the course of the disorder, he says. Some of the current treatment options include occupational therapy, dietary restrictions, sensory integration therapy and speech therapy, with most interventions featuring highly structured educational programs aimed at improving communication and social skills.

“The earlier the intervention, the greater chance of a positive effect on long-term outcome,” Moldin says.

According to Moldin, some early warning signs to look for include:
• losing or not having speech around 18 months
• little to no eye contact
• loss or lack of gestures
• repetitive speech or actions
• unusual reactions to the way things look, feel, smell, taste or sound

“Proper and comprehensive assessment is essential,” says Moldin. “It is very important to recognize the early signs of autism and seek early intervention services.”

If you suspect autism in your child, he suggests that you seek out autism experts—typically child psychiatrists or neurologists who specialize in autism and related developmental disorders—in your area or at specialized medical centers, hospitals or programs across the country.

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USC Researchers Find New Clues to Risk of Hodgkin Lymphoma

2008-04-02T00:31:27Z

Unique study of twins offers new hypothesis on why disease affects some, and not others

Los Angeles, Calif., April 1, 2008- A long-term study of twins has led University of Southern California (USC) researchers to find potential links between Hodgkin lymphoma and levels of an immune response protein (interleukin-12).
“We found that lower levels of the protein interleukin-12, involved in fighting intracellular infections, increases susceptibility to young adult Hodgkin lymphoma,” says Wendy Cozen, D.O., M.P.H, associate professor of preventive medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. “
Cozen is lead author on the study entitled, “Interleukin-2, interleukin-12, and interferon-? levels and risk of young adult Hodgkin lymphoma,” published in the April 1 issue of the journal, Blood.

The study is accompanied by an editorial entitled “Hodgkin twins: double good, double trouble,” by Richard F. Ambinder of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

The work is based on patient populations found in the International Twin Study and California Twin Program, unique registries of twin pairs developed and maintained in the Department of Preventive Medicine at USC.

Hodgkin lymphoma is the most common type of cancer among young women and the second most common type among young men. But while the 5-year survival rate is high compared to that of other cancers, the treatment may cause complications later in life.

According to Cozen, this study, along with a previous one her group published in 2007, provides the first clear evidence that individual differences in immune response (via cytokine secretion) may lead to the development of Hodgkin lymphoma.

“We previously showed that there is a substantial genetic risk for adolescent and young adult Hodgkin lymphoma, and that another immune response protein (interleukin-6) was related to risk,” says Cozen. “We are pursuing the hypothesis that variations in genes control the secretion of these immune response proteins (cytokines) predicting Hodgkin lymphoma risk.”

Eventually, based on the group’s current work, researchers may be able to develop novel treatments to correct the abnormal immune response thereby offering alternatives to current therapy.

Cozen and her group are conducting an expanded study among adolescent and young adult Hodgkin lymphoma patients and their parents in Los Angeles.
The group is studying these genes and others that control the immune response in hopes of confirming their previous results and to further define the inherited patterns that explain the genetic part of the risk.
Cozen adds that colleagues from the National Cancer Institute and Washington University in St. Louis, will also be studying early exposures to infectious agents such as bacteria and viruses, which may interact with the immune system leading to Hodgkin lymphoma.
Funding for this research came from The National Cancer Institute.

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Wendy Cozen, Parkash S. Gill, Muhammad T. Salam, Alexandra Nieters, Rizwan Masood, Myles G. Cockburn, W. James Gauderman, Otoniel Martínez-Maza, Bharat N. Nathwani, Malcolm C. Pike, David J. Van Den Berg, Ann S. Hamilton, Dennis M. Deapen, and Thomas M. Mack. “Interleukin-2, interleukin-12, and interferon-? levels and risk of young adult Hodgkin lymphoma,” Blood 2008 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2007-08-106872

Election 2008: Health Care Experts

2008-04-01T01:06:00Z

Experts at the Keck School of Medicine of USC and School of Pharmacy are available to discuss critical national and statewide health care issues.

If you would like to speak with one of USC’s experts, please contact Meghan Lewit or Jennifer Chan at 323-442-2830.

Michael R. Cousineau, Ph.D., associate professor of preventive medicine at the Keck School of Medicine. Cousineau is an expert on health care policy and reform for the underserved and uninsured. He also serves as a consultant to the Los Angeles Department of Health Services in the area of ambulatory care planning and evaluation, and public health.

David A. Goldstein, M.D., associate professor of medicine and chief of the division of general internal medicine at the Keck School of Medicine. Goldstein is expert on health care reform and medical ethics, including patients’ rights and end-of-life treatment decisions. He is the co-director of the Pacific Center for Health Policy & Ethics.

Joel W. Hay, Ph.D., associate professor of pharmaceutical economics & policy at the USC School of Pharmacy. Hay is an expert on prescription drug costs and health insurance reform.

Steven Chen, Pharm.D., associate professor of clinical pharmacy at the USC School of Pharmacy. Chen is an expert on the role of clinical pharmacy in community health care and related policy issues. Chen heads the School of Pharmacy’s safety-net clinic program, which delivers clinical pharmacy services to homeless and low-income patients in Los Angeles.

Martin Pera, Ph.D., professor and director of the USC Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine at the Keck School of Medicine. Pera has provided extensive advice to state, national and international regulatory authorities on the scientific background to human embryonic stem cell research, and is a founding member of the Hinxton Group and serves on the Steering Group of the International Stem Cell Initiative.

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Exercising in the Clear

2008-03-21T21:55:48Z

LOS ANGELES - Longer daylight hours and warmer weather may lure even the most devoted gym rat outdoors to work out. However, hotter temperatures often mean smoggier air conditions, which can make breathing difficult during exercise. According to environmental expert Ed Avol, clinical professor of preventive medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC), avoiding busy roadsides and exercise during peak smog hours may be beneficial in the short and long-term to all levels of athletes.

“The best times to work out are during the morning or in the evening and away from traffic. The afternoons usually have the highest concentration of the air pollution we know as smog,” says Avol. “Working out in smoggy conditions can cause a burning sensation in the chest, coughing and difficulty breathing. These symptoms can be relieved by avoiding peak times of smog exposure and by avoiding noxious car exhaust.”

Studies have shown that increased exposure to air pollution may contribute to a higher incidence of asthma and reduced lung function, especially among children, continues Avol.

Professional athletes have to be even more mindful of air quality during training. Avol warns that competitive athletes have very high ventilation rates and breathe in lots of outdoor air. “They especially need to be mindful of air exposures because their lungs are like vacuum cleaners that trap the pollution particles. ”

Before the 1984 Summer Olympic Games held in Los Angeles, Avol helped make recommendations to the local government on how to reduce smog exposure through improved air quality. At this year’s Summer Olympics in Beijing, there are major concerns of poor air quality and athletic performance. Avol recommends that the Olympic committee lobby to move the cars and buses away from the stadiums and competitive areas, shift the event schedules to avoid peak pollution exposure times and shift industrial work schedules to reduce emissions.

“Wearing masks can be restrictive to breathing, so it’s not likely the masks will be effective during competitions,” says Avol. “Working aggressively with the government to reduce exposure would provide the most benefits.”

In general, if you can’t avoid peak traffic pollution areas, consider going indoors suggests Avol. Gyms usually have air filtration and air conditioning systems so it will usually be cooler and with slightly better air quality.

Exercising in the Clear

2008-03-21T21:28:14Z

Food for thought: How diet can impact colorectal cancer risk

2008-03-18T23:23:07Z

Los Angeles, March 14—March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and there is no better time to start thinking about prevention.

Colorectal cancer is the third most-common cause of cancer-related death in men and women in the nation. Diet can have a significant impact on a person’s risk for developing the cancer, says Heinz-Josef Lenz, M.D., professor of medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC and the USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center.

“The most important risk factor is red meat, particularly beef,” he says. “The countries with the highest beef consumption are the ones with the highest colon cancer risk. White meat such as chicken and pork don’t seem to be associated with colon cancer risk.”

Alcohol consumption is another major risk factor, particularly for women, Lenz notes. To reduce risk, people should limit themselves to one glass of wine per day.

“Avoiding alcohol and decreasing intake of red meat can decrease your risk of colon cancer significantly,” he says.

People should have rich sources of calcium intake, such as dairy products, daily. It is also important to include fiber-rich foods such as fruits and vegetables and reduce intake of fatty foods. One of the most powerful ways to reduce colon cancer development is vitamin D and calcium.

“With easy adjustments in your diet, supplements such as calcium and modest exercise you can reduce your risk of colon cancer by more than 50 percent,” says Lenz.

For more information on colorectal cancer, visit Dr. Lenz’s blog at http://www.revolutionhealth.com/pages/colon-cancer