2002

Since 1993, Neal Murray of Gowanda has suffered with various forms of cancer, including the often-fatal form called melanoma. Traditional methods of treatment such as surgery, radiation and chemotherapy were no match for Murray's spreading disease.

However, in late February 2001, Murray was given a ray of hope when he learned of two new experimental immune therapy treatments from Constantine Karakousis, M.D., a surgeon at Buffalo General Hospital. The new treatments are injections of a substance directly into the tumor, which "flags" the tumor cells to help the body's immune system destroy them. Researcher Stephen Brooks, Ph.D., and Hiroshi Takita, M.D., are co-investigators along with Dr. Karakousis.

Murray has received regular injections at Millard Fillmore Gates Circle Hospital since the treatment began. Without any surgical interventions, his tumors have all but disappeared, including a brain tumor. Nine patients are in the study and have received the immune therapy injections, eight of whom have shown a significant clinical response. In addition, three patients have also shown a systemic immune response, meaning that there is a regression of uninjected tumors as well.

The researchers' findings were reported at an international conference on cancer in San Francisco in April, which were met with enthusiasm, according to Brooks.

For more information on the new cancer treatment or to determine if you or someone you know is a candidate for the study, please call Kaleida Health at (716) 887-4807.

(Updated April 26, 2002 at 9:25 a.m.)