At Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, research in hematologic malignancies (blood-related cancers) is conducted by scientists and clinical investigators in the Section of Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation. Under the direction of Stephanie Gregory, MD, a world renowned clinical researcher specializing in hematologic malignancies, Rush’s clinical trials office is staffed by experienced research nurses, clinical research associates, software programmers and biostatisticians who coordinate all clinical research activities, recruit research subjects, and ensure accurate data collection, patient safety and compliance with all institutional and federal regulations.
Rush is making strides toward building a strong translational research program, designed to take research “from the bench to the bedside.” The Section of Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, under the direction of Stephanie Gregory, MD, recently recruited Kent W. Christopherson II, PhD, to lead this effort. He is well known in the scientific field of stem cell transplantation for his contributions to the identification and validation of methods to improve stem cell transplant efficiency. Today, funds raised through Second Chance are supporting Dr. Christopherson’s leading-edge work at Rush.
Dr. Christopherson has ambitious plans to develop new initiatives focused on the collection, banking and transplantation of umbilical cord blood stem cells for clinical and research purposes. Umbilical cord blood, along with bone marrow and mobilized peripheral blood, is a validated source of blood stem cells for the treatment of blood cancers. Originally established as being useful for treatment of children, cord blood is now being extended to the treatment of adult blood cancers, including myeloma, lymphoma, and leukemia, as well as disorders of the cardiovascular system, nervous system, bone and joint systems. His continued focus is on discovering new ways to improve the efficacy of stem cell transplantation to treat those fighting life-threatening hematologic cancers.
The work of Dr. Christopherson and his fellow hematology researchers directly correlates to the Perlsteins’ aim when they established Second Chance eight years ago — to give those suffering from multiple myeloma and other blood cancers a second chance at life — and promises to usher in a new era that is full of possibilities and hope for the thousands of individuals who are suffering from life-threatening blood cancers.
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