Medical News from Johns Hopkins

This is a service for doctors worldwide from Johns Hopkins International.  To receive reports directly, please send e-mail to jhis@jhmi.edu or visit www.jhintl.net.

September 2004

1.  New Blood Test to Detect Ovarian Cancer
2.  The Drama of a Decade of Cancer Research
3.  Finally, A Treatment for a Tricky Spine Problem
4.  Johns Hopkins Unveils Korean-Language Website
5.  New on www.jhintl.net:  Nobel Speech; Case Rounds; Medical Education

1.  New Blood Test to Detect Ovarian Cancer
Johns Hopkins researchers have designed a blood test to detect ovarian cancer using three proteins found in common in the blood of women with the disease.  Their preliminary studies with the new test suggest a molecular signature exclusive to this deadly cancer, known for its ability to remain undetected and spread quickly.

The Hopkins test, described in the August 15 issue of Cancer Research, identifies the proteins as a truncated form of transthyretin, a fragment of ITIH4 and apolipoprotein A1, teased out with a rigorous evaluation of protein patterns present in blood samples from ovarian cancer patients at several U.S. and international hospitals.  Other research groups are evaluating ovarian cancer blood tests that use protein profiles consisting of tens of thousands of unidentified molecules.

"By identifying a select group of biomarkers specific to ovarian cancer, we not only know the proteins we are dealing with, but we can trace them back to alterations in the genetic code of ovarian cancer cells," says Daniel W. Chan, Ph.D., director of the Biomarker Discovery Center at Hopkins. 

"We are focusing on the markers for which we have good biological reasoning behind their selection, and hope to expand the panel of markers to catch as many variations in ovarian cancer proteins as possible."  This research was funded by the National Cancer Institute and Ciphergen Biosystems, which has licensed the test.

2.  The Drama of a Decade of Cancer Research
Reviewing the last 10 years of cancer research as they would the production of a play complete with cast members, opening acts and an ever-twisting plot, two of the most cited names in science say that one of the most promising roles that newly discovered cancer genes may perform is in early detection, which will be as important as new treatments. 

In an editorial review that is the centerpiece of Nature Medicine's 10th anniversary August issue, Johns Hopkins cancer researchers Bert Vogelstein, M.D., and Kenneth Kinzler, Ph.D., use a lengthy play metaphor to suggest that the conquest of cancer is a drama that has lots more acts to come, some of them destined to refocus large parts of the national research effort.

"The best chance of managing these diseases in the next few decades relies on taking advantage of the genes we now know lie at the heart of the process," says Vogelstein, who is the world's most influential scientist, according to citation rankings by the Institute of Scientific Information.  "Cancer already is curable when it's caught early.  New methods of detecting cancers, although less dramatic and not as popular, offer very promising approaches for limiting cancer deaths in the future." 

In the past, the Hopkins scientists argue that the lack of better "scripts" including key gene characters hindered drug development and early diagnostic efforts. With a refined cast of characters, more researchers may steer their efforts to better diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, which may have a greater impact on cancer death rates.

3.  Finally, A Treatment for a Tricky Spine Problem
Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) usually strikes in the early years of adulthood, inflaming the spine and peripheral joints so severely that productive young people cannot perform activities they once considered mundane.  The spine grows rigid and the range of motion in the back and neck becomes severely limited.  Walking turns into strenuous exercise; hip replacements are routine.  But now a new treatment by John Flynn, M.D., director of the spondyloarthropy program at Johns Hopkins, is offering patients a new treatment that involves infusions of a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor that eliminates the crippling inflammation. 

To create that near miraculous response, TNF inhibitors block cytokines that play a critical role in inflammation and several years ago were fond to be useful in treating rheumatoid arthritis.  With that date in hand and after approval of the use by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, Flynn and his colleagues were finally able to provide this treatment to AS patients.  Hopkins is currently one of a growing number of academic medical center using this innovative therapy. "What we have found," Flynn says, "is that with this treatment, for the first time we can help people live normal lives.  Most ankylosing spondylitis patients improve dramatically.  Their stiffness lessens remarkably and their mobility improves." 

4.  Johns Hopkins Unveils Korean-Language Website
Responding to the needs of the growing Korean-speaking community in Baltimore as well as interest from abroad, Johns Hopkins Medicine has unveiled a new Korean-language website that highlights the institution’s mission in patient care, education and knowledge transfer.  The new website at www.hopkinskorea.com --   which has counterparts in English and Spanish at www.jhintl.net and www.saludhopkins.com respectively -- features information for patients, doctors, institutions and media outlets. The Patients Section features the latest medical advances by JHM faculty as well as services to assist patients traveling from overseas such as language interpretation and appointment scheduling. 

The Doctors Section includes information about continuing medical education activities in Baltimore, and an online version in Korean of the publication Johns Hopkins International Physician Update. The Institutions Section aims at increasing collaboration with healthcare providers and opinion leaders in Korea. And a Media Section helps Korean journalists identify experts for stories on healthcare topics.  For more information about the website or about international programs related to South Korea, contact Emilio Williams at 410-502-3216 or at emilio@jhmi.edu.

5.  New on the JHI Website
*** Peter Agre, M.D.: A Nobel Story - Read about Hopkins' latest Nobel Prize winner and view a video of his Nobel Prize speech in Stockholm.   www.jhintl.net/JHI/English/Patients/SPLJH_PeterAgre.asp

***Case Rounds - Review cases from Johns Hopkins clinics or inpatient consultations in Allergy, Arthritis, Gastroenterology, AIDS and Infectious Diseases.  www.jhintl.net/JHI/English/Doctors/Case_Rounds
 
***Continuing Medical Education - Consult our CME Calendar for upcoming short courses for physicians in nearly every specialty.  www.jhintl.net/JHI/English/Doctors/Continuing_Medical_Educat/