GBMC Oncology Physicians Investigators In Research  On Advanced Ovarian Cancer  

Clinical Research Results Show Extended Survival Rate; Published In New England Journal of Medicine

BALTIMORE – January 5, 2006 – Two leading GBMC oncology physicians were investigators in a clinical trial examining new ways to treat women with advanced ovarian cancer, the results of which show an extended survival rate for some patients.  The study is published in the Jan. 5^th New England Journal of Medicine.

Paul Celano, M.D., division head of medical oncology, and Francis Grumbine, M.D., division head of gynecologic oncology, led GBMC’s participation in the trial, supported by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and an affiliated research network known as the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG).  GBMC’s clinical trials team also included Mechelle Barrick, oncology research nurse; Paula Pearl, R.N., CRNP, oncology nurse practitioner; and Lauren Titus, clinical research associate.

“We were looking at what is the best way to treat women with ovarian cancer following surgery, with the intent to reduce recurrence and improve life expectancy,” said Dr. Celano.

Results of the trial, which involved 429 women, show combining two methods of delivering anticancer drugs into a woman’s body after surgery – via a vein (IV) and directly into the abdomen (IP) – extends the overall survival for women with ovarian cancer by about 16 months.  “For women diagnosed with ovarian cancer, this is life-changing because there aren’t many procedures in oncology that improve overall survival by more than a year,” said Dr. Celano. 

Laura Geiwitz of Westminster, Md. was a patient in the experimental arm (IP) of the trial and has been cancer-free for more than seven years.  “This new protocol is the only way to go,” said Geiwitz, who was 47-years-old when diagnosed in June 1998 with stage three ovarian cancer.  Three weeks after her diagnosis, Geiwitz was involved with the clinical trial, and has “truly been blessed.”

“I feel fine,” she said.  “Every four months I have a check-up with Dr. Celano.  If I had to do the treatment all over again, I’d do it the exact same way.”

Ovarian cancer patients typically present with stage three cancer, since there is no screening method available, and the disease develops deep in a woman’s body.   The standard approach to treating ovarian cancer had been surgical removal of the tumor (“debulking”), followed by a chemotherapy regimen via IV, with the goal of removing as much cancer as possible.

Based on this study, the NCI today formally recommended the combination of IV and IP therapy for ovarian cancer patients who have undergone effective surgical debulking.  “Now we have solid data showing this combination of IV and IP chemotherapy definitely makes a positive difference in these women’s lives,” said Dr. Celano.  “This will now be the standard of care for appropriate ovarian cancer patients.”

Oncology Services @ GBMC
GBMC was named one of America's Best Hospitals in Cancer Care by US News & World Report in 2005 and 2001 and has achieved certification by the American College of Surgeons as a Comprehensive Community Cancer Program.  Through its participation with several cooperative groups, GBMC has been engaged in clinical trials in gynecologic oncology, radiation oncology and medical oncology for two decades, with more than 100 patients a year participating in prevention, treatment, or symptom management trials.    GBMC’s oncology services are unique in a community hospital setting, offering genetics and dedicated oncology social services in addition to the standard cancer-related specialties found in most university-level settings.

About GBMC
GBMC includes Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC), Central Maryland’s leading community hospital; Hospice of Baltimore, which provides comfort and care to patients with life-limiting illnesses; the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Community Health Center, which offers comprehensive health and family services to the residents of East Baltimore; and the GBMC Foundation, which supports the GBMC mission by managing fundraising efforts.  The 300-bed Medical Center, located on a beautiful suburban campus, serves nearly 22,000 inpatients annually and provides approximately 50,000 emergency room visits. For more information, go to www.gbmc.org.

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Editor’s Notes: Please contact Michael Schwartzberg to interview Dr. Celano or Laura Geiwitz.

For Questions and Answers about IP treatment for advanced ovarian cancer, after 5 p.m. EST on Jan. 4, 2006, please go to http://www.cancer.gov/newscenter/pressreleases/IntraperitonealQandA

To obtain accompanying video footage, please contact the NCI Media Relations Branch at (301) 496-6641 or ncipressofficers@mail.nih.gov.