Author: awesterb@bsdad.uchicago.edu

New checkpoint inhibitor shows promise in clinical trial for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma


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By combining the experimental anti-cancer antibody known as 5F9 (Hu5F9-G4) with the established anti-cancer antibody rituximab, researchers managing a small phase-1b clinical trial were able to induce a positive response in 11 out of 22 people with relapsed/refractory non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. About 36 percent of the patients (8 out of 22) in this trial went into complete remission from their cancers. This new approach to immunotherapy, published November 1, 2018 in the New England Journal of Medicine, relies on immune system cells called macrophages, rather than T cells, to attack and kill cancer cells. “5F9 is a macrophage immune checkpoint inhibitor,” … Read More

Genetic flaw causes problems for many with hypothyroidism


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With an estimated 120 million prescriptions filled each year, the thyroid medicine levothyroxine (marketed as Synthroid ®) is one of the most popular prescription medicines in the United States. Most patients who suffer from hypothyroidism — a shortage of thyroid hormone, usually caused by a damaged or missing thyroid gland — respond favorably to treatment with this drug. Nearly 15 percent of patients, however, get only limited benefit from levothyroxine. Their symptoms, such as fatigue, weakness, weight gain, cramps, irritability and often memory loss, persist, even among patients who take this affordable medicine consistently. On Oct. 23, 2018 the Journal of … Read More

University of Chicago Medicine Receives 14th Consecutive A grade in Hospital Safety


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The University of Chicago Medicine (UCM)  has received its 14th consecutive A grade in hospital safety from the prestigious industry watchdog Leapfrog Group.  Of the more than 2,600 hospitals surveyed in the fall 2018 period, UCM is  one of 42 health care organizations — and the only academic medical center in Chicago — to have consistently received the top mark since Leapfrog began its semi-annual hospital ratings in 2012. In this past spring’s survey, there were 49 institutions that earned consecutive A’s. Leapfrog assesses hospitals using 30 publicly available safety metrics, which are selected and reviewed by a panel of experts. … Read More

Leslie DeGroot, MD (1928-2018)


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A renowned endocrinologist specializing in diseases of the thyroid, Leslie DeGroot, MD, professor emeritus in the departments of Medicine and Radiology at the University of Chicago, former director of the Thyroid Study Unit and chief of endocrinology at the University of Chicago, died surrounded by his family on Oct. 23, 2018 in South Dartmouth, Massachusetts. His death came one month after his 90th birthday. Les DeGroot was a giant in endocrinology and thyroid disease. He had a very broad impact through his original scientific papers, text books and participation in important societies and organizations. Endocrinology at the University of Chicago benefitted … Read More

University of Chicago Medicine receives $6 Million as part of the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer MoonshotSM to target colorectal cancer prevention control


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The University of Chicago Medicine’s Center for Asian Health Equity (CAHE) is joining the National Cancer Institute’s Beau Biden Cancer MoonshotSM Initiative to accelerate the pace of progress in the fight against cancer.  The National Cancer Institute (NCI) established multiple mechanisms to fund Cancer Moonshot-related research, one of them being ACCSIS (Accelerating Colorectal Cancer Screening and Follow-up through Implementation Science).  The ACCSIS Program will provide an evidence base for multilevel interventions that increase rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, follow-up, and referral-to-care, and best practices for how multilevel interventions can be scaled-up to reduce the burden of CRC and generate … Read More

RNA splicing plays major role in genetic variation linked to Alzheimer’s disease


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Over the past decade, genetic sequencing tools have been very successful at identifying variations in the human genome that are associated with traits such as height or complex conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. Despite these successes, 90 percent of genetic variants found to be linked to disease are located in noncoding DNA, or parts of the genome that don’t encode proteins involved in biological processes. Instead, these noncoding regions likely carry out utilities that regulate the expression of functional genes. These variants are often located in sections of DNA containing several genes, so it’s difficult for scientists to pin down the … Read More

Data analysis uncovers differences in drug prescription rates in the U.S.


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A new analysis of prescription rates of 600 commonly-used drugs across the United States reveals influences of racial composition, state-level health care laws, and wealth on prescription choices. The study, published October 9 in Nature Communications, also shows that some regions consistently prefer more expensive drugs, even when they have not been proven more effective than cheaper alternatives. The United States is socially and culturally heterogeneous, with significant disparities and inequality in health metrics such as life expectancy. However, it’s not clear to what extent these disparities extend to health care. Andrey Rzhetsky, PhD, the Edna K. Papazian Professor of … Read More

Vineet Arora,MD- Named 2018 Macy Faculty Scholar


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Vineet Arora,MD, Professor of Medicine (General Internal Medicine)has been named a 2018 Macy Faculty Scholar by the Josiah Macy, Jr. Foundation. Dr. Arora’s project focuses on expanding IGNITE (Improving GME Nursing Interprofessional Team Experiences) to enable health care providers to practice in well-functioning teams providing safe, high quality, and high value care. Specifically, she will focus on matrixed learning experiences between nurses and residents, encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration to reduce patient mortality, medication errors, length of stay, and provider career satisfaction. Her work dovetails national initiatives in interprofessional teamwork set by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), the National Collaborative to Improve … Read More

Kirk T. Spencer, MD ( 1962-2018)


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The Department of Medicine is deeply saddened by the sudden passing of one of their most beloved colleagues, Kirk T. Spencer, MD. Dr. Spencer was a longstanding and distinguished member of the Department of Medicine who was recognized as for his outstanding work as a  clinician, investigator, mentor and leader. During his nearly 25 year career, Dr. Spencer contributed immensely to the Section of Cardiology, the Department and the institution through his service. He will be greatly missed.  Dr. Spencer was born on February 8, 1962. He received his bachelor’s degree in physics (with highest distinction) from the University of Michigan in … Read More