Hematology-Oncology | Physician Interviews | Penn Medicine

Advantages of Bloodless Medicine

2012-10-08T08:31:00.000-04:00

Patients may choose bloodless medicine for either medical or ethical reasons. How safe and effective are bloodless procedures, compared to more traditional approaches?

Dr. Patricia Ford, clinical associate professor of medicine, medical director of the Center for Bloodless Medicine and Surgery and director of the peripheral stem cell program at Penn Medicine, says that while bloodless medicine began as a way to meet the medical needs of Jehovah's Witnesses patients, the science also has broader implications. As many as 30% of blood transfusions may be unnecessary. What alternatives and strategies can healthcare providers use to ensure best patient blood management, and perhaps reduce the need for blood transfusions? Furthermore, what are the specific implications of bloodless medicine for stem cell transplants in particular? Dr. Lee Freedman hosts.

Source: ReachMD | Originally Aired: May 9, 2011

Gene Therapy News: What Does It Mean for You?

2011-09-28T09:04:00.001-04:00

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania announced breakthrough early research news in treating advanced chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients with genetically engineered versions of their own T cells. Following a flurry of articles about gene therapy and leukemia, how can you determine what this news could mean for you? In this podcast, we are joined by Dr. David Porter--the study's co-principal investigator--as he explains the details of the pilot trial and its possible impact on people living with leukemia.

Source: Patient Power | Aired: September 18, 2011

Novel Approaches to Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplant

2011-03-21T11:12:00.000-04:00

The conventional bone marrow transplant procedure can have many side effects, and the traditional procedure can be especially risky for older patients or other patients with comorbidities. How are novel approaches of bone marrow and stem cell transplantation attempting to limit the toxicity and improve the safety of the procedure?

David Porter, MD, professor of medicine and director of stem cell transplantation at Penn Medicine, discusses how using an immunosuppresive approach to the bone marrow transplant procedure may benefit a greater number of patients. Hosted by Dr. Lee Freedman.

Source: ReachMD | Originally Aired: December 12, 2009 | Length: 13 min

Breast Cancer News and New Research in Controlling Side Effects

2010-11-04T13:18:00.001-04:00

Dr. Angela DeMichele, a researcher at the Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine, discusses recent breast cancer news and new research about controlling treatment side effects.

Dr. DeMichele is interviewed by Andrew Schorr, host and founder of Patient Power, in Chicago at an American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting.

Source: Patient Power Originally Aired: November 4, 2010

New Hope for Lung Cancer Patients

2010-11-04T13:14:00.001-04:00

Dr. Corey Langer, the director of the thoracic oncology program at the Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine, discusses how there is new hope for lung cancer patients.

Dr. Langer is interviewed by Andrew Schorr, host and founder of Patient Power, in Chicago at an American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting.

Source: Patient Power Originally Aired: November 4, 2010

Multiple Myeloma Treatment

2008-12-08T15:24:00.000-05:00

Multiple Myeloma, cancer of the plasma cell, can be a devastating diagnosis. While not curable, the disease is treatable. Joining Patient Power host, Andrew Schorr, is Dr. Dan Vogl from the University of Pennsylvania, broadcasting live from the 50th annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) in San Francisco. This meeting joins renowned experts in blood cancers and blood diseases from around the world to collaborate on the latest research.

Dr. Vogl is instructor of medicine in the division of hematology/oncology at the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania. He begins the program by talking about the multitude of treatments currently available to treat myeloma. Dr. Vogl talks about using these treatments effectively alone and in combination, and also touches on the notion of transplant as a treatment. Dr. Vogl goes on to discuss the importance of partnering with your physician and creating an individualized treatment plan for your myeloma.

The presentations at the ASH meeting are the result of clinical trials being conducted around the world. Dr. Vogl speaks at length about the necessity of clinical trials, along with the importance of coordinating with a specialist in your condition when seeking care. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with this condition, hear why Dr. Vogl is hopeful for the future. In his own words, “I think there is always room for hope in treating a disease like this where we have so many drugs that clearly work.”

Source: Patient Power | Aired: December 8, 2008

Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)

2008-12-08T15:13:00.001-05:00

New developments in research for cancer is always highly anticipated by patients, and this year’s 50th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) did not disappoint, particularly for patients affected by chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). CML is quite often referred to as the “monster mutation” and is often resistant to numerous therapies. Unraveling the mystery of these mutations and understanding the biology of patients with these mutations is one of the focal points of this discussion. As Patient Power host Andrew Schorr broadcasts live from the ASH meeting, Dr. Alison Loren joins to shed light on breakthroughs in CML. Dr. Loren is a hematologist/oncologist in the Division of Hematology-Oncology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Loren starts off by unveiling research on the notourisly resistant T315I and how progress is being made for CML patients who once resisted such therapies. She explains how scientists are closer to understanding mutations and how they relate to each patient. Dr. Loren also talks about targeting CML stem cells and a number of really exciting steps towards identifying and targeting that particular cell, which ultimately will identify a cure for CML.

Hear more from Dr. Loren in this unique webcast, as she breaks down what she thinks are two different types of CML patients in a discussion designed to bring you the latest from the source of research for hematological diseases. You’ll hear Dr. Loren talk about the importance of prescription compliance for CML patients and numerous therapies and clinical trials being looked at. Learn about the most recent advances for the treatment of CML – a bright future for patients indeed.

Source: Patient Power | Aired: December 8, 2008

Lymphoma Research

2008-12-06T15:29:00.000-05:00

Each year the American Society of Hematology (ASH) brings together experts on blood-related cancers and other conditions. On this episode of Patient Power, host Andrew Schorr broadcasts from the 50th annual ASH meeting in San Francisco. Andrew is joined by Dr. Stephen Schuster, director the lymphoma program at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Dr. Schuster shares information about the newest lymphoma treatments and research.

Dr. Schuster says each year of the ASH conference is increasingly exciting. Dr. Schuster discusses the history of lymphoma research and how we got to where we are today, when many lymphoma patients can actually be cured. He also talks about new antibodies that are being made available, the importance of immunotherapy, and the new cellular therapy out there. Finally, he answers Andrew’s questions about oral therapies and what they mean for the future of lymphoma treatment.

Listen to this webcast to hear why Dr. Schuster is so excited about the near future in lymphoma research. If you don’t know much about these therapies, host Andrew Schorr puts them into layman's terms that anyone can understand. Listen now for an expert’s opinion on why he thinks lymphoma treatments will soon have a very high probability of success.

Source: Patient Power | Aired: December 6, 2008

Diagnosis and Treatment of Lung Cancer – New Ideas

2008-01-07T13:44:00.000-05:00

Tracey Evans, MD discusses the the latest thinking in regard to screening and case finding for lung cancer. Dr. Evans then reviews newer approaches to the treatment of various types and stages of lung cancer.

Source: ReachMD | Aired: January 7, 2008 | Length: 13 min

New Directions in the Treatment of Lung Cancer

2007-11-05T13:37:00.000-05:00

Tracey Evans, MD discusses developing agents for use in the treatment of this often deadly disease.

Source: ReachMD | Aired: November 5, 2007 | Length: 13 min