January 22, 2018
Physicians at Montefiore Einstein Center for Cancer Care are in the vanguard of efforts to harness our own white blood cells to fight deadly cancers. Montefiore’s first procedure in a new pilot study with the New York Blood Center (NYBC) has successfully demonstrated that white blood cells can be removed from a patient, genetically modified and reinserted in that patient.
Illustration of microscopic T-cells attacking a cancer cell.
"IT IS GRATIFYING TO BE ON THE FRONT LINES OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH THAT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO HELP SO MANY PEOPLE."
—Katia Papalezova, MD,
Director, Melanoma and Soft Tissue
Tumors, and Co-Director, IL-2
Program at the Cancer Center, one
of the lead clinical investigators
The treatment has FDA approval for blood cancers, but is experimental for solid tumors. Montefiore holds the investigational new drug application to test the safety and feasibility of the therapy for solid tumors, such as breast cancer, sarcomas and lung cancer. The experimental treatment conducted at Montefiore saw immune cells reprogrammed to recognize and attack a specific cancer protein, called NY ESO-1. The complex procedure demands coordination of multiple departments and NYBC, where the cells are genetically modified. NY ESO-1 is found in approximately 30 percent of all tumors, and this treatment is solely for tumors expressing the NY ESO-1 protein.
"We are optimistic that this therapy could become a viable option for cancer patients running out of options," says principal investigator Ira Braunschweig, MD, Director, Stem Cell Transplantation, and Clinical Program Director, Hematologic Malignancies, at the Center. Learn more about Montefiore’s groundbreaking immunotherapy treatments by visiting www.montefiore.org/immunotherapy.
Steven M. Safyer, MD, President and CEO, Montefiore Medicine, and Susan Fox, President and CEO, White Plains Hospital, recently spoke at a press conference organized by Congresswoman Nita Lowey to call for reauthorization of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which expired on September 30. CHIP is a vital partnership between the federal government and states to expand access to health coverage for children. Some 55,000 children in the Bronx, Westchester, Rockland and Orange Counties rely upon Congress to fund CHIP for coverage.
Steven M. Safyer, MD (third from left), Congresswoman Nita Lowey (fourth from left) and Susan Fox (far right) at a press conference calling for reauthorization of CHIP.
"It’s inconceivable to me that the elected leaders of our country would deny children access to basic healthcare," says Dr. Safyer. He praised the efforts of Congresswoman Lowey, who has been a tireless advocate for this essential program.
Melissa Cebollero, Senior Director, Government & Community Relations and Mosholu Preservation Corporation, and Shalom Kalnicki, MD, at the groundbreaking of the New York Proton Regional Center.
Coming to East Harlem in 2019, the New York Proton Regional Center will provide specialized radiation treatment to children and adults with tumors extremely close to highly sensitive structures, such as the base of the brain and the heart. This pioneering center is a collaboration between Montefiore, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Mount Sinai Health System. Recently featured in the New York Times and Crain’s New York Business, it is the first of its kind in New York State and one of only 25 such facilities nationwide.
Proton-beam therapy is an alternative to traditional radiation, allowing physicians to deliver full therapeutic doses of radiation while sparing surrounding healthy tissues and organs. Evidence supports its use in pediatric cancers and areas where extreme precision is necessary to treat tumors, such as the central nervous system, head and neck, and eyes. Shalom Kalnicki, MD, Chair, Radiation Oncology, stated in the Crain’s article, “Pediatrics is the biggest need.”
Montefiore is expanding its buprenorphine treatment program, deepening our commitment to helping people with opioid use disorders. Buprenorphine treats prescription opioid and heroin addiction by stopping withdrawal symptoms and reducing cravings. Buprenorphine can be prescribed in the doctor’s office and taken at home. Montefiore has expanded this program into five practices within Montefiore Medical Group so that effective opioid use disorder treatment can be accessed in primary care. Montefiore providers have been specially trained to deliver buprenorphine treatment, and to lend support and guidance through the process of treating addiction. Learn more by visiting www.montefiore.org/buprenorphine.
Santa's helpers wrap presents at the CHAM free shopping event for families.
A host of volunteers made sure that children staying at Children’s Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM) during the holiday season did not miss out on the festivities. The Phoebe H. Stein Child Life Program hosted a free “shopping” event, inviting families to choose gifts for all of their children. The gifts were wrapped by volunteers from the New Rochelle cheerleading squad, Maritime Academy and other groups, while the families made holiday crafts, sipped hot cocoa and listened to holiday songs performed by the SAR (Salanter Akiba Riverdale) High School Music Club.
Anthony Mason Jr. visits with a young CHAM patient during the holidays.
At another event, Anthony Mason Jr., son of New York Knicks legend Anthony Mason, paid a visit, along with volunteers, to hand out presents. In honor of his dad, Anthony Jr. launched the Family on Three Foundation to provide inner-city kids with positive role models. Using his experience growing up in the world of basketball, Anthony Jr. teaches young people about life values that foster growth, awareness, education and achievement. CHAM is grateful to all the volunteers for bringing holiday cheer to our families!
Complete your Wellness Portal Health Assessment and Workshop for 2018 and earn a $30 reward! Simply log into your Wellness Portal account at toyourhealth.montefiore.org. Complete Steps 1 and 2 to collect your 30 points. The reward will show up in your upcoming paycheck. For more information, contact Customer Support at 888-252-8150.
The 2018 Annual Review is now available on Talent Management. The Annual Review must be completed each year by all associates. Completion records are tracked and monitored. The exception is that associates hired in the current calendar year will receive similar information as part of New Associate Orientation and therefore will not need to complete the Annual Review online this year. In addition, providers are sent the Provider version and therefore do not need to complete the Annual Review in Talent Management.
Researchers at Montefiore Medical Center are conducting a study in women who have been diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of an image guided ultrasound cryoablation (cryosurgery) procedure to treat early stage breast cancer as an alternative to surgical lumpectomy. This is an FDA approved technique for treating benign tumors (fibroadenomas). The cryoablation procedure will be using the IceSense3™ system.
Cryoablation uses a hollow, thin tube, called a cryoprobe, to kill a tumor by freezing it. The goal of the cryoablation is to destroy the tumor cells in the breast, including a margin of healthy breast tissue surrounding it. Including this additional tissue is done with the aim that the tumor will be destroyed completely. This research study is also intended to explore technical factors that may affect the success of cryoablation.
You may be eligible to participate in this study if you:
You may not participate in this study if you:
Call Ameriangel Roman at 718-862-8840 (x426) or email aromaner@montefiore.org to learn more.
Associate Wellness is bringing biometric screenings—for BMI, BP, cholesterol and A1c—to various campuses as part of the Associate Health Improvement Program (A-HIP). This program assists and rewards associates making positive lifestyle improvements—$100 for each improvement! Register at uswellness.com/montefiore and join us to learn how you can earn money to get healthy in 2018.
Friday, February 2 | 12:30 – 6:00 PM
Einstein Campus, Cafeteria
Monday, February 12 | 12:30 – 6:00 PM
Yonkers Campus, 3 O’Dell Plaza
Conference Room D
Tuesday, February 27 | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Tarrytown Campus, Cafeteria
Montefiore will be hosting the New York Blood Center Blood Drive. Come and donate blood to provide lifesaving support to those in need. Please bring identification with photo or signature. All lifesaving blood and platelet donations earn Donor Advantage points redeemable for a wide variety of gifts and gift cards. You can even donate your points to support a charitable organization.
Tuesday, February 13, 2018
9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Grand Hall, Moses Campus
Sign up in advance:
Tuesday, February 6, 2018 | 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
New York Blood Center Table, Food Pavilion, Moses Campus
You may also sign up here, or by calling 1-800-933-2566.
Mind-body techniques and music-assisted relaxation are simple approaches to relieving stress that are highly effective and easy to use. This foundation course will allow participants to learn about the evidence behind these approaches, and how to practice them in daily life. Each session will include a didactic portion and time to experience deep relaxation. CEU credit is available.
4 Wednesdays: February 21 – March 14 | 12:30 – 1:30 PM
Moses Campus, TLC 4*
*The March 7 session will be held in TLC 2.
