TumorImmunotherapy

Program

Howard L. Kaufman, MDDirector, Tumor Immunotherapy ProgramAssociate Professor of Surgery & Pathology

Charles S. Hesdorffer, MDDirector, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research,

Clinical Tumor Immunotherapy Program

Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine & Surgery

Heidi Hoerig, PhDDirector, Immune Monitoring Laboratory

Assistant Professor of Surgical Science

Danila Valmori, PhDDirector, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Laboratory

Associate Professor of Medicine

Columbia University Collegeof Physicians & Surgeons

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital atColumbia Presbyterian Medical Center

What is tumor immunotherapy?

A general term, tumor immunotherapy refersto the use of elements of the bodys naturalimmune system to fight cancer. Specific ap-proaches include tumor vaccines, IL-2, andInterferon.

What are tumor vaccines?

Patients typically associate the term vaccine withthe prevention of infectious diseases, such asmeasles. Recent research has indicated that thevaccine approach may also be useful in theprevention and treatment of cancer.

Tumor vaccines contain a specific protein of thetumor cell that can be used to stimulate animmune response. Different types of vaccines areused to treat different types of cancer.

Typically, patients receive tumor vaccine therapyon an out-patient basis. Vaccines are often deliv-ered through an injection into the skin. Ourprogram is also investigating the benefits, forselect patients, of delivering vaccines directlyinto the tumor site.

What types of cancers do tumor vaccines target?

Currently, the Tumor Immunotherapy Programis investigating the effects of tumor vaccines onthe following types of cancer:

Early Melanoma Metastatic Melanoma Myeloma Pancreas Prostate

Breast Colon Kidney Lung Lymphoma

What is IL-2?

A small protein naturally produced by the cells of theimmune system, IL-2 stimulates the growth of tumorkilling cells. High-dose IL-2 is an approved therapy foradvanced melanoma (skin cancer) and advanced renalcell (kidney) cancer.

Patients may receive IL-2 therapy alone or in combina-tion with tumor vaccines. The comprehensive IL-2 Unitof the Tumor Immunotherapy Program administers IL-2 through an intravenous (IV) line on an in-patientbasis.

Researchers are also investigating the potential benefitsof additional cytokines, including IL-12 and IL-18.

What is Interferon?

A natural protein, Interferon stimulates the bodysresponse to fight infections and possible cancers. Inter-feron has shown some promise in treating melanoma(skin cancer) and renal cell (kidney) cancer. Interferon isadministered either through an IV or an injection intothe skin on an outpatient basis.

Am I a candidate for tumor immunotherapy?

Most tumor immunotherapy treatments are only avail-able through clinical trials. You or your medical oncol-ogist can contact us to determine whether you areeligible to participate. Participation is voluntary and youmay withdraw at any time.

The FDA has approved treatment with IL-2 and Inter-feron for stage III and IV renal cell (kidney) cancer andmelanoma (skin cancer).

Additional resources

The Multidisciplinary Melanoma TreatmentProgram of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospitaloffers comprehensive treatment services for cu-taneous and ocular melanoma. Center co-direc-tors Howard L. Kaufman, MD (surgical onco-logy) and Desiree Ratner, MD (dermatologicalsurgery) lead a multidisciplinary team withexpertise in:

Dermatologic screening Treatment of early and advanced malignant

melanoma Staging and post-treatment surveillance Clinical trials using promising new tumor

vaccines Patient and family-centered support groups

Howard L. Kaufman, MD

About the Tumor ImmunotherapyProgram

Unique in the New York Metropolitan region,the Tumor Immunotherapy Programs dedi-cated, multidisciplinary team develops noveltreatments that use the bodys natural defensesto treat patients with cancer. Patients benefitfrom this translational approach, which drawsupon the collaborative efforts of our labora-tory research teams and clinical staff.

Howard L. Kaufman, MD, Director of theTumor Immunotherapy Program, leads a teamof doctors, nurses, and research scientists whohave specialized training in vaccine therapy andbiotherapy. The Tumor Immunotherapy Pro-gram also educates health-care professionals inthe various aspects of immunotherapy researchand patient care.

Heidi Hoerig, PhD founded the ImmuneMonitoring Laboratory to evaluate vaccine effi-cacy in cancer patients. Her research focuses onunderstanding the host/tumor interactionswithin the tumor microenvironmentin partic-ular, how local immunotherapy might tip thebalance in order to induce and sustain an anti-tumor immune response.

Charles S. Hesdorffer, MD, Director, LudwigInstitute for Cancer Research, Clinical TumorImmunotherapy Program, is a part of an interna-tional effort to study immune monitoring andvaccine therapy.

Danila Valmori, PhD, Director, Ludwig Insti-tute for Cancer Research Laboratory, works inconjunction with researchers from around theworld on the development of new strategies andtechnologies for vaccination, as well as adoptiveimmunotherapy.

Contact Information

To learn more about tumor vaccines, IL-2, orInterferon through the Tumor ImmunotherapyProgram, please contact:

Gail DeRaffele, RNClinical Coordinator212.342.0232

You can also visit our website at http://www.tumorvaccines.com

Directions

The IL-2 Unit of the Tumor ImmunotherapyProgram is located at NewYork-PresbyteriansColumbia Presbyterian Medical Center Campusin the Milstein Hospital Building (177 FortWashington Avenue).

Parking

Valet parking is available at the Milstein entranceor you may park at the hospital lot on Fort Wash-ington Avenue between 164th and 165th Streets.

Public Transportation:

By subway, take the A, C, #1, or #9 to 168thStreet. By bus, take the M2, M3, M4, M5, M100,or BX7 to the hospital.

For additional transportation information, pleasecall 212.305.2500.

Milstein Hospital Building, 7SK177 Fort Washington AvenueNew York, NY 10032Phone: 212.342.6042Fax: 212.342.0234