UPMC Cancer Centers works in tandem with the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI), which comprises the academic and research activities for cancer at the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC Health System, to offer patients the latest advances in cancer prevention, detection, diagnosis and treatment.
The Colon and Gastrointestinal Cancer Program's particular areas of research focus on colorectal, pancreatic and gastric carcinomas as well as other cancers of the gastrointestinal tract. We also focus on maintenance of the current phase I-III treatment protocols with novel agents in advanced disease, including oxaliplatin, 9-nitrocamptothecin and gadolinium-texaphy, and the evaluation of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of these agents.
A high-risk assessment clinic exists to support research on the etiology of colorectal carcinoma, including the molecular basis of familial cancer, particularly hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC). Research into role of MUC-1 antigens in cancer has led to a synthetic MUC-1 peptide vaccine being tested in a phase I clinical trial in patients with resected pancreatic cancer.
Patients seen at the Colon and Gastrointestinal Cancer Program have access to many innovative clinical trials, including National Cancer Institute cooperative group studies, industry-sponsored trials and unique, early phase protocols based on research conducted at UPCI.
For more detailed information on the Program's research activities, including current research, accomplishments and future directions, visit the Gastrointestinal Cancer Disease Site at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute.