Whether working on dynamic discoveries in the lab, connecting with students and faculty or pursuing his passion for nature photography, acclaimed biomedical researcher John Kuriyan is inspired by his recent move to join Vanderbilt as the new dean of the School of Medicine Basic Sciences and Distinguished University Professor.
This phase III trial compares the safety and effect of adding vinorelbine to vincristine, dactinomycin, and cyclophosphamide (VAC) for the treatment of patients with high risk rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). High risk refers to cancer that is likely to recur (come back) after treatment or spread to other parts of the body. This study will also examine if adding maintenance therapy after VAC therapy, with or without vinorelbine, will help get rid of the cancer and/or lower the chance that the cancer comes back. Vinorelbine and vincristine are in a class of medications called vinca alkaloids. They work by stopping cancer cells from growing and dividing and may kill them. Dactinomycin is a type of antibiotic that is only used in cancer chemotherapy. It works by damaging the cells deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and may kill cancer cells. Cyclophosphamide is in a class of medications called alkylating agents. It works by damaging the cells DNA and may kill cancer cells. It may also lower the bodys immune response. Vinorelbine, vincristine, dactinomycin and cyclophosphamide are chemotherapy medications that work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. This trial may have the potential to eliminate rhabdomyosarcoma for a long time or for the rest of patients life.
This phase III trial compares the effect of open thoracic surgery (thoracotomy) to thoracoscopic surgery (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery or VATS) in treating patients with osteosarcoma that has spread to the lung (pulmonary metastases). Open thoracic surgery is a type of surgery done through a single larger incision (like a large cut) that goes between the ribs, opens up the chest, and removes the cancer. Thoracoscopy is a type of chest surgery where the doctor makes several small incisions and uses a small camera to help with removing the cancer. This trial is being done evaluate the two different surgery methods for patients with osteosarcoma that has spread to the lung to find out which is better.
This phase II trial studies the effect of hypofractionated radiotherapy followed by surgery in treating patients with soft tissue sarcoma. Hypofractionated radiation therapy delivers higher doses of radiation therapy over a shorter period of time and may kill more tumor cells and have fewer side effects. Giving hypofractionated radiotherapy followed by surgery may allow patients with sarcomas to be treated in a much more rapid and convenient fashion.
This clinical trial studies the effect of the ERAS pain management method in managing pain after surgery in patients with extremity soft tissue sarcoma. Enhanced Recovery After Surgery, or ERAS, is a pain management method that places emphasis on managing risk factors (things like smoking, nutrition and fitness), using multiple types of pain control, and early movement, with the goal of improving patient outcomes. ERAS has been shown to reduce the length of time some patients stay in the hospital, reduce complications from surgery, and even lower costs of some surgeries. ERAS is designed may help cut down on the use of these narcotics in managing the pain of surgery patients. The purpose of this trial is to demonstrate that ERAS is safe and effective for patients having surgery to treat their sarcoma. Specifically, this study will look at using a non-narcotic pain management program that includes other methods of managing the pain of sarcoma surgery patients.