Thomas Jefferson University Hospital Experts Available to Comment on Lung Cancer Screening and Diagnosis, Pulmonary Fibrosis

American Thoracic Society International Conference, May 17 – 22, Philadelphia

Newswise — (PHILADELPHIA) – Experts from the Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital are available to comment on issues related to lung cancer screening and diagnosis, and development of pulmonary fibrosis, specifically at the American Thoracic Society International Conference in Philadelphia, its home, May 17-22.

Jefferson’s recent investments in its clinical and research programs in lung cancer and lung disease build on its national prominence in pulmonary and critical care medicine, currently ranked #12 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

Jefferson-Jane and Leonard Korman Lung Center Jefferson’s newly-created Jane and Leonard Korman Lung Center’s core missions are to better understand lung disease through innovative research and expanded clinical programs for exceptional patient care. With its primary focus on lung cancer, the cause of more than 160,000 deaths a year in the U.S., the Center will attack this leading cause of cancer death.

“Innovative new therapies for early diagnosis of lung disease are beginning to change the landscape of the field and the expected disease trajectory for many of these patients,” says Mani Kavuru, MD, director of the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and director of the Jefferson-Jane and Leonard Korman Lung Center.

Lung Cancer Screening Program Following the groundbreaking 2011 National Lung Cancer Screening Trial which showed that screening with low-dose CT scans cut lung cancer deaths by 20 per cent over standard x-rays, Jefferson started the lung cancer screening program, a one-day, low-cost service that uses low-dose CT scans to screen those at high risk for lung cancer—age 55-74 with total smoking history of 30 pack years or more.

This multidisciplinary effort – with support from Jefferson’s Kimmel Cancer Center experts in Radiation Oncology and Medical Oncology as well as Thoracic Surgery and Radiology – is one of the first in the region with the hopes of detecting lung cancer in patients sooner. In addition, other emerging technologies including biomarkers, nonsurgical approaches to biopsy and novel therapies involving radiotherapy are giving hope to patients.

Boyd T. Hehn, MD, director of Bronchoscopy Services will bring the latest science of lung cancer diagnosis to the practicing pulmonologist in a Meet the Professor Seminar, "Bringing Molecular Characterization of Lung Cancer to the Bronchoscopist" (#MP604) on Tuesday, May 21st, 12 – 1:00 p.m.

“With the growing number of pharamacologic agents available to treat lung cancer, it is now essential that the genetics of the tumor are known before we can decide the appropriate, most personalized course of treatment for the best possible outcome for the patient,” says Dr. Hehn.

Lung Nodule Clinic Jefferson’s lung nodule clinic provides a one-stop systematic approach to detecting lung nodules and interpreting the results and follow up care. A "spot on the lung" typically isn't a cause for concern. But they can signal the early stages of lung cancer, especially in older adults and smokers.

Under the direction of Pulmonologist Rohit Kumar, MD, with support from related disciplines of radiology, thoracic surgery, medical oncology and radiation oncology, the Clinic's staff provides one-stop access to detect whether lung nodules are benign or look worrisome by performing chest x-ray, CT or PET scans as needed to show the presence of cancer cells. Biopsy by either bronchoscopy or percutaneous needle collects a sample of tissue from the nodule.

Dr. Kumar will address the need for a low dose CT lung cancer screening program in his talk, "Should Every Institution Develop A Low Dose CT Lung Cancer Screening Program" (#SS109) on Monday, May 20th from 7 – 8:00 a.m.

Pulmonary FibrosisIn addition to lung cancer, experts in the Pulmonary and Critical Care Department will be presenting their latest findings on the mechanisms leading to development of lung fibrosis. Lung fibrosis, which is a term used to describe scarring of the lung, is a rare, but often serious condition that leads to shortness of breath and severely impairs the lung’s ability to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide. Despite decades of research, the mechanisms leading to development of pulmonary fibrosis are still poorly understood and there are currently no effective treatments for patients with this condition.

However, it is the hope of physicians and scientists at Thomas Jefferson University that a better understanding of lung fibrosis is just around the corner. Research in Ross Summer, MD’s laboratory suggests that lung fibrosis is actually a metabolic disorder, and that abnormalities in lung lipid (fat) metabolism play a pivotal role in the development of this condition. His laboratory hopes that treatments targeting lung lipid metabolism may someday be an effective treatment for patients’ with this serious condition.

Drs. Summer M.D. and Romero PhD. will present their work entitled "Impaired AMP-Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK) Activity And Increased Lipogenesis Are Early Events In The Development Of Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis" on Wednesday, May 22nd from 10:45-12:30 pm. Read More: http://www.atsjournals.org/doi/abs/10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2013.187.1_MeetingAbstracts.A5659

Editor’s Note: To speak with any of the Jefferson experts, please contact Lee-Ann Landis at 215-459-2092 or [email protected] # # #

About Thomas Jefferson University HospitalsThomas Jefferson University Hospitals (TJUH) are dedicated to excellence in patient care, patient safety and the quality of the healthcare experience. Consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the nation's top hospitals, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, established in 1825, has over 900 licensed acute care beds with major programs in a wide range of clinical specialties. TJUH is one of the few hospitals in the U.S. that is both a Level 1 Trauma Center and a federally-designated regional spinal cord injury center. TJUH patient care facilities include Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience, the region’s only dedicated hospital for neuroscience, Methodist Hospital in South Philadelphia, and additional patient care facilities throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. TJUH partners with its education affiliate, Thomas Jefferson University.