Cancer
cells can compress blood vessels, block entry of drugs A growing tumor needs an increased blood supply for its proliferating
cells. But these new vessels are often disorganized and abnormal and
can actually block therapeutic agents from reaching malignant cells.
In the Feb. 19 issue of Nature, MGH researchers describe how proliferating
cancer cells compress both blood and lymphatic vessels
within tumors.
Information
update about treating infectious illnesses With the heightened awareness this winter of such illnesses as severe
acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and different strains of influenza,
the MGH Infectious Diseases Division and the Infection Control Unit
have been keeping clinicians apprised of any new developments in the
spread of these illnesses.
Study
volunteers play a key role in medical progress According to the MGH Clinical Research Program (CRP), study volunteers
are critical to the process of bringing scientific discoveries into
patient care. Because volunteers are an important aspect of research,
the CRP and BWH Center for Clinical Investigation have launched a new
initiative — RSVP (Research Subject Volunteer
Program) for Health.
Wanted:
A few good men and women In the post- 9/11 world, where the threat of large-scale incidents
is a serious concern, the MGH has spent countless hours training and
preparing hospital employees for what to do in case of an incident in
the community. Training thus far has been aimed at specific groups of
MGH employees who traditionally respond to disasters. Now, the hospital
is looking for other employees who may not be directly involved in the
hospital's emergency response –
both clinical and nonclinical — to volunteer as members
of the MGH Hazmat (hazardous materials) Response Team.
Patel
honored with international award A member of the MGH Orthopædic staff, Dinesh Patel, MD, chief
of MGH Arthroscopic Surgery, recently was awarded a Gujarat Garima Award
by the government and people of Gujarat, India.
February
27, 2004