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Research and Clinical Trials

For patients:

The mission of the Division of Surgical Oncology is to develop state-of-the-art techniques and therapies for treating cancer. Our physician-researchers have made many exciting advances translating basic research findings into advanced treatment options, including the development of biological therapies, including immunotherapy and gene therapy.

During the course of treatment, patients may be encouraged to consider clinical trials.  Most advances in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer have occurred because of clinical trials that study the effect of cancer treatments such as surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and biological therapy.

These trials not only benefit patients who are receiving cutting-edge treatments, but they are also helping to advance medical science.  Patients considering participation in a clinical trial are encouraged to discuss questions and concerns with their physician.

For clinicians and other healthcare providers:

Our comprehensive approach to research involves defining the underlying immunobiology of cancer in order to design and implement more effective preventive, adjunctive, and therapeutic clinical regimens.

Effective use of cytokines in the biological therapeutics, implemented either as recombinant proteins applied systemically or via gene therapy applied locally, are studied intensely. Likewise, considerable efforts are invested in the development of vaccines that are capable of stimulating cellular anti-tumor immunity.

Research also is focused on delineating mechanisms of immune-mediated killing of tumor cells and means by which tumors may evade immune clearance. These investigative conclusions help us to define important elements of combinational cancer therapies that we currently believe may prove most effective in the clinical setting.

Translational research in the Division of Surgical Oncology is well supported by numerous grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Cancer Institute, as well as by a number of investigator-initiated grants from private foundations and industry.

For more information regarding individual research, call
412-692-2852.

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Contact Us

Liver Tumor Program
UPMC Cancer Pavilion
5150 Centre Ave., Suite 415
Pittsburgh, PA 15232

Phone: 412-692-2852
Fax: 412-692-2520

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