Updates from Dr. Loggie's Research

From Dr. Loggie...

A part of our most recent work with PMP is following on the heels of some important observations made on another rare disease called peritoneal mesothelioma. This has caused our expansion at a break-neck speed, which has been alarming and exciting (all at the same time). I’ve hired a talented PhD scientist to help with the identification of possible gene mutations in PMP tumors. Our major focus will be looking at the epidermal growth factor gene, but we are also looking at a number of selected genes as well as their related molecular pathways.

An additional project has begun to determine if we can develop more effective markers in the blood. We are expanding observations made on cell experiments looking into the biology of mucin which is characteristically produced by PMP tumors. This has turned up some surprises. The long and short of it is that mucin appears to be an important molecule to these cells, as opposed to being produced, expelled into the environment and forgotten. Interfering with mucin production does reduce mucin production but also slows cell growth, increases cell phase arrest, increases tumor cell death (apoptosis), and induces other changes which frankly I did not expect. We are finishing up and expanding these observations and will be working on a manuscript this summer.

Possible New Treatment Strategies
Switching from the basic sciences, I believe there is an additional promising treatment strategy available for cancer patients, specifically those with PMP. It is now timely to make hyperthermia treatment available as a unique “fourth” modality (after surgery, chemotherapy/drug therapy, and radiation therapy). Hyperthermia can be used alone to treat tumors but is typically used to enhance the effects of radiation and chemotherapy. I am of the belief that the unique biology of PMP, given the high mucin content, and therefore high water content, would lend itself to treatment with externally applied hyperthermia using microwave technology. Quite simply, hyperthermia gives us a chance to drastically expand treatment options.