Research

Making a difference for our future through expanded research efforts.

Research

New Research

Attracting outstanding scientists to expand and contribute to current research efforts is a primary goal of the Katzen Cancer Research Center. With the new, state-of-the-art clinical facilities, the Center is poised to considerably enhance its research efforts by adding scientists, clinicians and support staff dedicated to the discovery of new cancer therapies.  If you would like to support these efforts with your tax deductible contribution, click here.

New Katzen Cancer Research Center Pilot Research Award Program Announced for 2012

The Katzen Center Board of Directors has recently established a new research program to stimulate investigation in unique and novel cancer research at the basic science, clinical and translational levels and to accelerate the pace of scientific discovery, reduce mortality and improve the quality of life of Americans with cancer.

This program invites faculty from all Departments and Schools of The George Washington University to submit application for a one-year cancer-focused research award, funded by the GW Katzen Cancer Research Center.  Grants are intended to support independent, self-directed investigators with novel ideas and promising initiatives in basic, clinical or translational cancer research.

This award is intended to assist independent GW researchers in conducting initial pilot explorations, which may lead to publications and development of strategic preliminary data in support of a successful application for support from a national funding agency. A second year of funding will be considered on competitive renewal requiring a full re-application during the period of new submission acceptance.  Progress toward the research objectives outlined in the previous year’s research proposal will serve as the central component used for evaluation and successful competition for a second and final year.

Examples of applications with a cancer emphasis from diverse fields are encouraged: behavioral and psychological research, basic, clinical, preclinical research, translational research, biomechanical engineering, bioengineering research, biological or chemical research, genomics, etc. (not exclusive nor in order of preference).

Applicants are limited to regular and research faculty of The George Washington University, Foggy Bottom Campus, including faculty currently holding appointment at the GW Medical Faculty Associates.

Application for the research grants was open from November 14, 2011 to December 29, 2011.  Grants will be awarded for the period March 1, 2012 – February 28, 2013.

Current Research (As of January, 2012)

The Dr. Cyrus and Myrtle Katzen Cancer Research Center currently sponsors clinical trials designed to advance scientific knowledge for a variety of different cancers, including cancers of the breast, kidney, lung and prostate as well as  for lymphoma, multiple myeloma, myelofibrosis and myelodysplastic syndromes.   The National Cancer Institute (NCI), one of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), offers a wealth of  information regarding clinical trial participation, including the benefits and risks, how participants are protected, who pays for treatment, and questions to ask your doctor.  For direct access to NCI clinical trial information, click here.

In addition to its clinical trial research, George Washington University conducts other research to advance the field.  A description of this other research is available through the GW Cancer Institute.

If you are interested in participating in any of the clinical trials sponsored by the Katzen Cancer Research Center and listed below, please contact the Katzen Cancer Center staff at 202-741-2981.

BREAST CANCER

For National Cancer Institute information on breast cancer, click here.

  • ECOG 5103:  Treating Patients With Lymph Node-Positive or High-Risk, Lymph Node-Negative Breast Cancer.  This randomizedtrial is studying doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and paclitaxel to see how well they work with or without bevacizumab in treating patients with lymph node-positive or high-risk, lymph node-negative breast cancer. NOTE:  Study is closed for enrollment.  Principal Investigator:  Robert Siegel, M.D. 
  • S1007:  Phase III, Randomized Trial of Standard Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy +/-  Chemotherapy in Patients with 1-3 positive nodes Hormone Receptor Positive, HER-2 Negative Breast Cancer.The purpose of this study is to determine if the Oncotype DX Recurrence Score predicts whether women with hormone responsive breast cancer with 1-3 positive lymph nodes should receive chemotherapy with lower recurrence scores (25 or less) after surgery.  Principal Investigator:  Rebecca Kaltman, M.D.    

KIDNEY CANCER

For National Cancer Institute information on kidney cancer, click here.

  • SO931:  EVEREST:  APhase III trial of  Everolimus for Renal Cell Ensuing Surgical Therapy.  The primary objective of this study is to compare recurrence-free survival in patients with kidney cancer randomly assigned to one year of Everolimus versus one year of placebo after surgery. Principal Investigator:  Jeanny Aragon-Ching, M.D.

LUNG CANCER

For National Cancer Institute information on lung cancer, click here.

  • Amgen 20070782:  Long-term  Efficacy of Darbopoetin Alfa Administered Once-Every-3-Weeks in Anemic Subjects With Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.  This is a study for subjects with chemotherapy induced anemia receiving multi-cycle chemotherapy for the treatment of metastatic (stage IV) or advanced stage IIIB with malignant pleural effusion NSCLC.  Principal Investigator:  Imad Tabbara, M.D.

LYMPHOMA / LEUKEMIA

For National Cancer Institute information on lymphoma, click here.

  • Pharmatech PI-08904:  Bendamustine Combined with Rituximab for Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma. This trial is designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combination bendamustine and rituximab in patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.  NOTE:  Study is closed for enrollment.  Principal Investigator:  Imad Tabbara, M.D. 
  • CA180-330: SIMPLICITY:  Studying Interventions for Managing Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) in Chronic Phase:  The 5-year prospective cohort study.  The purpose of this observational study is to collect information on the treatment and management of chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).  Principal Investigator:  Imad Tabbara, M.D.
  • Cephalon C1803/2039/NL/US-CA:  Bendamustine Hydrochloride Combined with Rituximab in the treatment of Patients With Relapsed/Refractory Mantle Cell Lymphoma.  The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy and safety of the combination of bendamustine and rituximab in patients with relapsed/refractory mantle cell lymphoma.  Principal Investigator:  Imad Tabbara, M.D.
  • PIX306:  Comparing Pixantrone + Rituximab with Gemcitabine + Rituximab in Patients with Aggressive B-cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Who Have Relapsed After Therapy with CHOP-R and are Ineligible for Stem Cell Transplant.  This study is to evaluate the efficacy (measured by progression-free survival and overall survival) of pixantrone plus rituximab in patients with relapsed or refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell lymphoma and are not currently eligilble for high dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplant.  Principal Investigator:  Imad Tabbara, M.D.
  • VOS-AML-301:  Multinational Study of the Efficacy of Vosaroxin and Cytarabine in Patients With First Relapsed or Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia (VALOR).  Treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory AML has not improved in the last several decades.  This trial will study the  overall survivial for groups treated with Vosaroxin in combination with Cytarabine. Principal Investigator:  Imad Tabbara, M.D.
  • OMB110918:  A Randomized, Open Label Study of Ofatumumab and Bendamustine Combination Therapy Compared with Bendamustine Monotherapy in Indolent B-Cell Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Unresponsive to Rituxumab-Containing Regimen During or Within Six Months of Treatment.  To evaluate the progression-free survival in patients receiving ofatumumab in addition to salvage chemotherapy compared to patients receiving rituximab in addition to salvage chemotherapy. Principal Investigator:  Imad Tabbara, M.D.

MULTIPLE MYELOMA

For National Cancer Institute information on multiple myeloma, click here.

  • Cephalon C18083/1063/MM/US:  Bendamustine Combined with Bortezomib for Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma.  The primary objective of this study is to assess the safety and tolerability of bendamustine as combination therapy with bortezomib for patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (MM).  NOTE:  Study is closed for enrollment.  Principal Investigator:  Robert Siegel, M.D.
  • X05383:  A Retrospective Study to Evaluate the Incidence and Severity of Peripheral Neuropathy in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma Patients Retreated with Bortezomib.  To determine the incidence and change in the severity of peripheral neuropathy upon re-treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) patients with bortezomib as compared to initial bortezomib treatment.  Principal Investigator:  Imad Tabbara, M.D.

MYELOFIBROSIS 

  • INCB 18424-351:  A Study of JAK Inhibitor INCB018424 Tablets Administered Orally to Patients With Myelofibrosis.  This study will compare the efficacy and safety profile of INCB018424 tablets to matching placebo in patients with myelofibrosis .  NOTE:   Study is closed for enrollment.  Principal Investigator:  Robert Siegel, M.D.

MYELODYSPLASTIC SYNDROMES

For National Cancer Institute information on myelodysplastic syndromes, click here.

  • AMGEN 197:  Evaluating the Safety of Long Term Dosing of Romiplostim in Thrombocytopenic Subjects With Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS).  This is a study of the drug romiplostim for treatment of thrombocytopenia in MDS patients. The study is designed to assess long-term safety as measured by incidence of overall adverse events, the incidence of bleeding events, the utilization of platelet transfusions, and the duration of platelet response.   NOTE:  Study is closed for enrollment.  Principal Investigator:  Robert Siegel, M.D.
  • AMGEN 198:  Romiplostim Treatment of Thrombocytopenia in Subjects With Low or Intermediate-1 Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS).  This is a Phase 2 study of the drug romiplostim in thrombocytopenic MDS patients.   NOTE:  Study is closed for enrollment.  Principal Investigator:  Robert Siegel, M.D.

PROSTATE CANCER

For National Cancer Institute information on prostate cancer, click here.

  • CALGB 90203:  Surgery With or Without Docetaxel and Leuprolide or Goserelin in Treating Patients With High-Risk Localized Prostate Cancer.  This randomized trial is studying docetaxel and leuprolide or goserelin to see how well they work when given before surgery compared with surgery alone in treating patients with high-risk localized prostate cancer.   Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as docetaxel, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Androgens can cause the growth of prostate cancer cells. Antihormone therapy, such as goserelin and leuprolide, may stop the adrenal glands from making androgens. Giving docetaxel and leuprolide or goserelin before surgery may make the tumor smaller and reduce the amount of normal tissue that needs to be removed.  Principal Investigator:  Thomas W. Jarrett, M.D.
  • Medivation Protocol No. CRPC2:  Study of Oral MDV3100 In Patients With Progressive Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Previously Treated With Docetaxel-Based Chemotherapy.  This trial is to determine the benefit of MDV3100 as assessed by overall survival. NOTE: Study is closed for enrollment.  Principal Investigator:  Jeanny Aragon-Ching, M.D.
  • CA-184095:  Trial to Compare the Efficacy of Ipilimumab in Asymptomatic or Minimally Symptomatic Patients With Metastatic Chemotherapy-Naive Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer. This study will compare overall survival of patients with chemotherapy-naive metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer receiving ipilimumab.  Principal Investigator:  Robert Siegel, M.D.
  • 212082-PCT-3001:  Study of Abiraterone Acetate in Subjects with Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Who Have Progressed After Taxane-Based Chemotherapy.  This trial will collect additional safety data during treatment with abiraterone acetate plus prednisone  among patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. NOTE: Study is closed for enrollment.  Principal Investigator:  Jeanny Aragon-Ching, M.D.
  • ECOG 3805:  Chemohormonal Therapy Versus Androgen Ablation Randomized Trial for Extensive Di Prostate Cancer. This study will evaluate the ability of early chemotherapy to improve overall survival in men commencing androgen deprivation for metastatic prostate cancer.  Principal Investigator:  Jeanny Aragon-Ching, M.D.

PILOT PROJECT

    • Project to Determine the Role of Circulating Tumor Cells (CTC) in Patients With Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) Only Recurrence and its Association With PSA Doubling Time.     Principal Investigator:  Jeanny Aragon-Ching, M.D.

RESEARCH DATABASE PROTOCOL

    • Research Database for Hematopoitic Stem Cell Transplantation and Marrow Toxic Injuries.     Principal Investigator:  Imad A. Tabbara, M.D.