MULTI-CENTER STUDY FINDS THERAPY BOOSTS KIDNEY TRANSPLANTS IN "HIGHLY SENSITIZED" PATIENTSAn immune-modulating therapy improves kidney transplantation rates, even among "highly sensitized" patients whose immune systems have prevented them from receiving donated organs. Results of a government-supported study appear in the December 2004 issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. Dr. Stan Jordan is available for interviews.
WOMEN SEEKING TREATMENT FOR EVEN MINIMAL "MALE-TYPE" HAIR GROWTH NEED ENDOCRINE EVALUATIONPremenopausal women who seek help for excessive hair growth, even if it is not significant enough to meet the clinical definition of hirsutism, need to be evaluated for endocrine and reproductive system abnormalities. In a study of 188 women, researchers found that more than half of patients with only minimal unwanted hair growth in male-type patterns had excessive amounts of "male" hormones. While this symptom is often considered merely cosmetic, the underlying causes and long-term consequences may be serious. Dr. Ricardo Azziz is available for interviews.
SPECIALIST AVAILABLE TO DISCUSS THE POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME (PCOS) AND PATIENT QUALITY OF LIFEThe polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the most common endocrine disorder among reproductive-age women, produces a wide variety of body changes with both physical and emotional implications for sufferers. Dr. Ricardo Azziz, who holds The Helping Hand of Los Angeles Chair in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Cedars-Sinai, is available for interviews on the subjects of androgen excess, PCOS and the related quality of life issues. Dr. Ricardo Azziz is available for interviews.
WITH IVIG THERAPY, TRANSPLANT PATIENTS WHO HAD LITTLE OPTIMISM ARE RESUMING ACTIVE LIVESAccording to a recently published study, an immune-modulating therapy (IVIG) significantly improves kidney transplantation rates, even among "highly sensitized" patients whose immune systems have previously prevented them from being considered for transplants. Three patients (two from California and one from Hawaii) who once had little hope of receiving a successful organ transplant are available for interviews. With IVIG therapy and kidneys donated by relatives, friends or mere acquaintances, they have been able to reclaim their lives, and they hope to let others know that this option is available. These patients and Dr. Stan Jordan are available for interviews.
CANINE CANCER SURVIVOR REPORTS FOR DUTY AS A VOLUNTEER IN CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTER'S PET VISITATION PROGRAMAs his name implies, Henry Arthur Cole is no ordinary dog. It's not just that he dutifully volunteers as part of the pet visitation program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, or that he has lifted the spirits of countless patients, visitors and staff at the hospital for the last five years. No, what sets Henry apart is the fact that he now continues his volunteer work as a cancer survivor, faithfully visiting numerous patients and their family members every other week when he and his owner, Adrienne Cole, don their turquoise colored uniforms and report for duty. Now in remission, Henry is one of 45 dogs who volunteer with Cedars-Sinai's POOCH program, along with their human owners. Adrienne, Henry and Barbara Cowen, L.C.S.W., are available for interviews.
RESEARCHERS AT CEDARS-SINAI FIND THAT A SMALL PROTEIN DELIVERED VIA A GENETICALLY ENGINEERED VIRUS INCREASED IMMUNE CELLS AND SLOWED THE GROWTH OF THE DEADLY BRAIN CANCER GLIOBLASTOMA MULTIFORME IN LABORATORY RATS Despite aggressive treatment, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) " the most common and deadly of brain cancers " usually claims the lives of its victims within six to 12 months of diagnosis. This statistic has changed little over the years, largely because the cancer grows so quickly that neither surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy can stop it. Now, researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have found that a small protein called hsFlt3L delivered via a genetically engineered virus increased the number of immune cells in the brain and significantly slowed tumor growth, increasing the survival of laboratory rats in pre-clinical studies. The study, published in the December issue of the journal, Molecular Therapy, may lead to a new way to treat patients with GBM. Maria Castro, Ph.D., Co-Director of the Gene Therapeutics Research Institute at Cedars-Sinai is available for interviews.
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