University of Chicago Cancer Center

Mesothelioma Innovations at University of Chicago

University of Chicago has been a forerunner in cancer research since it was founded in 1973. This cancer center has a full team of mesothelioma specialists in every discipline of medicine, from imaging specialists to surgical oncologists. Each member of the mesothelioma program here has notable experience with diagnosing and treating the disease.

Clinical research at University of Chicago has been crucial to the development of more effective chemotherapy treatments like the combination of Alimta and cisplatin. This research helped establish what many consider to be the first chemotherapy to have a significant impact on mesothelioma patient survival rates.

University of Chicago was also one of the first to offer intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). IMRT has been a great asset to the treatment of mesothelioma when used in conjunction with chemotherapy and surgery. IMRT is beneficial in mesothelioma treatment because targeted radiation therapy avoids excessive radiation to the delicate organs in the chest cavity.

Home To Top Mesothelioma Specialist, Dr. Hedy Lee Kindler

University of Chicago Cancer Center is the home of one of the mesothelioma community’s top doctors, Dr. Hedy Lee Kindler. Her interest in treating mesothelioma hits closer to home than other mesothelioma specialists—her father was diagnosed with the disease. As one of the top mesothelioma researchers in the country, she has developed an uncommon focus on both pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma research. She is the principal investigator of several clinical trials at University of Chicago including the Tivantinib and tissue procurement studies.

Current Clinical Trials

University of Chicago is always involved with several mesothelioma studies. The cancer center directs research in novel targeted therapies, as well as assessing the viability of traditional treatment methods through further research, in the hope of continuing the advancement of mesothelioma treatment. Research currently underway includes:

• Novel Cancer Vaccine

  The development of cancer vaccines, also known as immunotherapy, is a promising area of treatment for mesothelioma patients. A study of CRS-207 is being conducted in patients who have received chemotherapy with Alimta and cisplatin. This study is evaluating the potential of CRS-207 to illicit an immune response, which could help kill mesothelioma cells.

• Maintenance Therapy Drug

  The development of an effective maintenance treatment for mesothelioma has yet to come to fruition. Maintenance treatment is used to prevent cancer growth after patients have gone through their initial treatment. University of Chicago is currently studying the effect of the drug Tivantinib on early- and late-stage patients in this capacity, as it may block certain cancer enzymes necessary for tumor growth.

• Mesothelioma Tissue Research

  Following its pursuit of a better understanding of the disease, University of Chicago is part of a tissue procurement study of peritoneal mesothelioma. Tissue procurement is an important part of research as it allows doctors to study mesothelioma at the molecular level, developing new scientific approaches to treatment such as novel immunotherapy treatments and cancer vaccines.

Is University of Chicago Right for You?

Every mesothelioma diagnosis should be treated as an individual case, so finding the right cancer center and specialist for you is important to receive the best treatment possible. University of Chicago Cancer Center, with the help of specialists like Dr. Hedy Kindler, has developed a mesothelioma program that ranks among the top in the nation. Reasons many patients choose this cancer center include:

• One of the largest programs in the U.S.
• Provides innovative treatment options
• Patients receive treatment under the supervision of Dr. Kindler

If this sounds like the right cancer center for you, getting in touch is the next step. Contact one of our patient advocates at 1-888-385-2024 to get in touch with University of Chicago or get a complete list of cancer centers in our free Mesothelioma Guide.