News Releases - March 2012 Archives

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Today, the United States Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision in favor of Mayo Collaborative Services in a case against Prometheus Laboratories, ...

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Mayo Clinic researchers have trained mouse immune systems to eradicate skin cancer from within, using a genetic combination of human DNA from melanoma cells and a cousin of the rabies virus. The strategy, called cancer immunotherapy, uses a genetically engineered version of the vesicular stomatitis virus to deliver a broad spectrum of genes derived from melanoma cancer cells directly into tumors. In early studies, 60 percent of tumor-burdened mice were cured in fewer than three months and with minimal side effects. Results of the latest study appear this week in the journal Nature Biotechnology. "We believe that this new technique will help us to identify a whole new set of genes that encode antigens that are important in stimulating the immune system to reject cancer. In particular, we have seen that several proteins need to be expressed together to generate the most effective rejection of the tumors in mice," says Richard Vile, Ph.D., a Mayo Clinic researcher in the Department of Molecular Medicine and a coauthor of the study, along with Jose Pulido, M.D., a Mayo Clinic ophthalmologist and ocular oncologist. Dr. Vile's success with melanoma adds to Mayo Clinic's growing portfolio of experimental cancer vaccines, which includes an active clinical trial of vesicular stomatitis vaccines for liver cancers. Future studies could include similar vaccines for more aggressive cancers, such as lung, brain and pancreatic. "I do believe we can create vaccines that will knock them off one by one," Dr. Vile says. "By vaccinating against multiple proteins at once, we hope that we will be able to treat both the primary tumor and also protect against recurrence." The immune system functions on a seek-and-destroy platform and has fine-tuned its capacity to identify viral invaders such as vesicular stomatitis virus. Part of the appeal of building cancer vaccines from the whole spectrum of tumor DNA is that tumors can adapt to the repeated attacks of a healthy immune system and display fewer antigens (or signposts) that the immune system can identify. Cancers can learn to hide from a normal immune system, but appear unable to escape an immune system trained by the vesicular stomatitis virus with the wide range of DNA used in the library approach. "Nobody knows how many antigens the immune system can really see on tumor cells," says Dr. Vile. "By expressing all of these proteins in highly immunogenic viruses, we increased their visibility to the immune system. The immune system now thinks it is being invaded by the viruses, which are expressing cancer-related antigens that should be eliminated." Much immunotherapy research has slowed because of researchers' inability to isolate a sufficiently diverse collection of antigens in tumor cells. Tumors in these scenarios are able to mutate and reestablish themselves in spite of the body's immune system.

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Mayo Clinic is pleased to announce that General Mills is the newest consortium member of the Healthy Aging and Independent Living (HAIL) ...

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Medical school students around the country will learn their fate this Friday, March 16, on what is known as Match Day. This ...

ROCHESTER, Minn. — A one-time memory loss — for up to 24 hours — might not be a sign of a brain injury or dementia. ...

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Over the past few years, studies have found that vitamins previously considered beneficial may not be helping — and may be causing harm. The March issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter provides an overview on the latest advice about taking vitamins. The newest research is from the Iowa Women's Health Study. This 20-year study of 38,000 women age 55 and older showed that taking a multivitamin appears to increase the risk of premature death. Evidence from this study and others suggest there is no need to take most supplements for general health or disease prevention. Exceptions appear to be calcium supplements and vitamin D for bone health. The Mayo Clinic Health Letter highlights some potentially risky supplements: Vitamin E: A 2005 review of research found that taking daily vitamin E supplements of 400 international units (IU) or more and possibly as low as 150 IU a day may pose health risks, including increased risk of premature death. Vitamin A: A large study of postmenopausal women found that long-term intake of at least 6,660 IU of vitamin A acetate or palmitate may increase the risk of hip fractures. However, other research hasn't come to the same conclusion. Folate and folic acid (vitamin B-9): Supplementation helps prevent birth defects, but evidence of other benefits has been elusive. The Iowa Women's Health Study suggests that folic acid supplements might increase the risk of premature death by 5.9 percent. Other studies have linked folic acid supplements with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Vitamin B-6: Large daily doses — more than 100 milligrams (mg) — can cause nerve damage over time. In the Iowa study, vitamin B-6 appeared to increase the risk of premature death by 4.1 percent. Vitamin B-3 (niacin): High doses can help lower high cholesterol levels. This treatment should be done under a doctor's supervision because side effects can include severe liver disease. Trace minerals: Copper, chromium, magnesium, selenium and zinc are among the essential trace minerals. There is no solid evidence that trace mineral supplements have any benefit in the absence of deficiencies — which are rare. The Iowa Women's Health Study indicated that the risk of premature death increased 3.6 percent in those taking magnesium, 3 percent in those taking zinc, and 18 percent in those taking copper supplements.

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is on the rise in the United States, according to the March issue of Mayo Clinic Health ...

ROCHESTER, Minn. — People with symptoms suggesting rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, or RBD, have twice the risk of developing mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or Parkinson's disease within four years of diagnosis with the sleep problem, compared with people without the disorder, a Mayo Clinic study has found. The researchers published their findings recently in the Annals of Neurology. VIDEO ALERT: For video of Dr. Boeve talking about the study and for b-roll of study participants with RBD, visit the Mayo Clinic News Blog. One of the hallmarks of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is a state of paralysis. In contrast, people with rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, appear to act out their dreams when they are in REM sleep. Researchers used the Mayo Sleep Questionnaire to diagnose probable RBD in people who were otherwise neurologically normal. Approximately 34 percent of people diagnosed with probable RBD developed MCI or Parkinson's disease within four years of entering the study, a rate 2.2 times greater than those with normal rapid eye movement sleep. "Understanding that certain patients are at greater risk for MCI or Parkinson's disease will allow for early intervention, which is vital in the case of such disorders that destroy brain cells. Although we are still searching for effective treatments, our best chance of success is to identify and treat these disorders early, before cell death," says co-author Brad Boeve, M.D., a Mayo Clinic neurologist. Previous studies of Mayo Clinic patients have shown that an estimated 45 percent of people who suffer from RBD will develop a neurodegenerative syndrome such as mild cognitive impairment or Parkinson's disease within five years of diagnosis.

ST. CLOUD, Minn. — Mayo Clinic today announced that CentraCare's Coborn Cancer Center will be the first member of the Mayo Clinic Cancer Care Network. The Coborn Cancer Center is the first cancer-specific member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network. The agreement formalizes a long-standing relationship between the two organizations. Coborn Cancer Center physicians will benefit from enhanced access to Mayo physicians and clinical resources, which in turn will benefit local patients and their families. Mayo Clinic Cancer Care Network membership is based on a rigorous set of patient care and quality data. Network members have access to several unique Mayo services and tools, such as: AskMayoExpert, a state-of-the-art resource that provides access to Mayo Clinic's evidence-based disease management protocols, clinical care guidelines, treatment recommendations and reference materials for a variety of medical conditions eConsults, which give member physicians the ability to connect with a Mayo expert to get input on specific questions as they care for their patients Administrative consulting that supports clinical practice models and the unique needs of Coborn Cancer Center patients "We are proud to formalize our ongoing relationship with our colleagues at CentraCare's Coborn Cancer Center," says David Hayes, M.D., medical director of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, which was launched last year. "This relationship brings together two like-minded organizations that share a goal of improving the delivery of health care through high-quality, collaborative medical care." "CentraCare Health System is proud to work with Mayo Clinic to ensure an even stronger cancer program for the patients we serve," says Terence Pladson, M.D., president and CEO, CentraCare Health System. "We look forward to developing strong relationships with CentraCare physicians who care for cancer patients," says Jan Buckner, M.D., chairman of Mayo Clinic's Division of Medical Oncology. "This relationship will build upon our long-standing collaborations in conducting clinical trials as well as frequent informal patient consultations." "As a physician who trained at Mayo, I am excited that the Mayo Clinic Cancer Care Network will give me and my Coborn Cancer Center colleagues access to resources that can mean additional peace of mind for our patients," says Donald Jurgens, M.D., medical oncologist, Coborn Cancer Center.

ROCHESTER, Minn. — With spring break shorts and swimsuit season coming up, many people will soon show off their legs for the first time in months, and for some, that also means deciding what to do about unsightly varicose veins. The bulging purple or blue lines may be simply a cosmetic issue, or they could be a sign of a serious medical problem, says Mayo Clinic vascular surgeon Peter Gloviczki, M.D. VIDEO ALERT: Additional audio and video resources, including excerpts from an interview with Dr. Gloviczki, are available on the Mayo Clinic News Blog. "Twenty to 25 percent of Americans have varicose veins and about 6 percent have more advanced venous disease including skin changes or, occasionally, ulcerations," says Dr. Gloviczki, who helped develop Society for Vascular Surgery and American Venous Forum national guidelines for the treatment of varicose veins. "Evaluation of varicose veins with ultrasound is an easy and accurate way to assess the need for treatment. New, minimally invasive therapy is available today that is effective and is performed as outpatient treatment." Varicose veins typically appear in the legs, ankles and feet, because standing and walking put more pressure on veins in the lower body. Enlarged veins can ache, itch and burn. The loss of vein elasticity through aging may cause varicose veins, and pregnant women often develop them. People who are obese, sit or stand for long periods or have a family history of varicose veins also are likelier to get them. Varicose veins can lead to more serious problems such as swollen legs, skin changes, bleeding from varicose veins, blood clots (phlebitis) and ulcers. Exercising, losing weight and elevating the legs can ease pain and prevent varicose veins from worsening. Special hosiery called compression stockings that squeeze the legs, improving blood flow, is often suggested before medical procedures are pursued.

WHAT: Mayo Clinic and St. Cloud-based CentraCare Coborn Cancer Center will announce a formal agreement between the two organizations. WHO: David Hayes, ...

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Mayo Clinic Center for Humanities in Medicine invites the public to attend a free concert by accordion player, composer and arranger Dan ...