News Releases - May 2015 Archives

CHICAGO — Use of the targeted agent pacritinib significantly reduced the symptoms and burden of advanced myelofibrosis in patients, says a Mayo Clinic researcher who co-led PERSIST-1, the worldwide phase 3 clinical trial that tested the therapy. Specifically, pacritinib substantially reduced severe enlargement of the spleen, a typical feature of advanced myelofibrosis, in more than 20 percent of patients and alleviated debilitating side effects in more than 46 percent. Investigators further found that pacritinib could be used safely in patients with myelofibrosis who have thrombocytopenia, a life-threating loss of blood platelets that can lead to deadly bleeding. The only currently approved therapy for myelofibrosis — ruxolitinib — is not recommended in patients who have severe thrombocytopenia. Ruben A. Mesa, M.D., chair of Hematology and Medical Oncology at Mayo Clinic in Arizona, will present these results at a press conference held during the 2015 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting in Chicago. MEDIA CONTACT: Joe Dangor, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284-5005 Email: dangor.yusuf@mayo.edu  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTzjIdPfTSM

CHICAGO — Because of the significant benefit found in combining the targeted drug ibrutinib with standard chemotherapy for relapsed chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), an interim analysis has closed the international HELIOS phase III clinical trial. Led by Mayo Clinic, researchers found that ibrutinib and chemotherapy (bendamustine and rituximab, known as BR) reduced the risk of death or cancer progression by almost 80 percent in patients with previously treated CLL or SLL, compared to use of BR alone. MEDIA CONTACTS: Joe Dangor (on-site at ASCO), Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 651-261-9089 (cell), dangor.yusuf@mayo.edu. Paul Scotti, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 904-953-0199 (office), scotti.paul@mayo.edu. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTNKotg-hqI

Use caution when considering anticoagulants, especially for older adults PHOENIX — If you are over age 75, and taking an anticoagulant, the old standard may be the gold standard, Mayo Clinic researchers and collaborators have determined. In a study released online in April in the BMJ, a team of researchers from Mayo Clinic, and other collaborators, showed that for older patients, particularly individuals greater than 75 years of age,  the risk of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is 3 to 5 times higher when taking newer anticoagulant medications dabigatran or rivaroxaban compared to when using warfarin. One of the most common reasons people take anticoagulant medication – which lessens the blood’s tendency to clot – is to reduce potential or severity of clotting complications in patients with atrial fibrillation or venous thromboembolism. People with atrial fibrillation and venous thromboembolism have a much higher risk of strokes, heart attacks and clots in the lungs and legs, which can result in disability or death. MEDIA CONTACT: Jim McVeigh, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 480-301-4222, Email: mcveigh.jim@mayo.edu

ROCHESTER Minn. – Mayo Clinic today announced that fundraising associated with the VICE documentary “Killing Cancer,” which aired on HBO earlier this year, has exceeded $2 million. This achievement was reached a month earlier than anticipated. The Killing Cancer campaign also set a record at Mayo Clinic with 30 percent of gifts received online, compared to 10 percent for previous campaigns. Many of the gifts came from new supporters to Mayo Clinic a reflection the younger demographics of the VICE audience and VICE’s strong digital presence. “The money raised in the Killing Cancer campaign will have impact right away, helping advance cancer research and finding cures for patients,” said John Noseworthy, M.D., Mayo Clinic president and CEO. The success of the campaign was due in large part to a fundraising match challenge issued by VICE founder and CEO Shane Smith with a total goal of $2 million. Through the challenge, Mr. Smith matched the first $1 million in gifts made by more than 10,000 documentary viewers and loyal Mayo Clinic supporters. MEDIA CONTACT: Joe Dangor, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284-5005, newsbureau@mayo.edu

Non-Ownership Relationship Expands Knowledge and Reach  TAMPA, Fla.  — Mayo Clinic and Shriners Hospitals for Children today announced Shriners Hospitals for Children as a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, a national network of organizations committed to better serving patients and their families through physician collaboration. The network will allow Shriners Hospitals for Children, a national health care system, to offer providers and patients convenient access to additional expertise from Mayo Clinic. The closer relationship will enhance the delivery of local care and promote peace of mind as providers and patients make health care decisions. “With Mayo Clinic’s similar mission of providing the best care to every patient through integrated clinical practice, education and research, a relationship will give Shriners Hospitals the opportunity to further transform children’s lives,” said Dale W. Stauss, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Shriners Hospitals for Children.  MEDIA CONTACTS: Kevin Punsky, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 904-953-0746, punsky.kevin@mayo.edu Fabiana Lowe, Shriners Hospitals for Children, 813-281-7164, filowe@shrinenet.org

ROCHESTER, Minn. — When people think of kids and trauma, they often think about car accidents. “However, in reality, falls are the leading cause of childhood injury and most of them happen around the home,” says Christopher Moir, M.D., pediatric surgeon at Mayo Clinic Children's Center, who has cared for a wide variety of injuries related to falls. There are approximately 8,000 children treated in emergency rooms for falls every day, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At Mayo Clinic’s Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center, 35 percent of the children cared for in 2014 were the result of a fall. Falls can happen anywhere but some of the most common mechanisms for kids’ falls are from playground equipment, off changing tables, off infant seats placed on high surfaces, from baby walkers, out of shopping carts and out of windows. When children fall out of windows, the injuries that result are more serious than other types of falls. MEDIA CONTACT: Kelley Luckstein, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284-5005, email: newsbureau@mayo.edu https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e53l54cvf6Y

PHOENIX — Prior studies have shown that most dog bite injuries result from family dogs. A new study conducted by Mayo Clinic and Phoenix Children’s Hospital shed some further light on the nature of these injuries. The American Veterinary association has designated this week as Dog Bite Prevention Week. The study, published last month in the Journal of Pediatric Surgery, demonstrated that more than 50 percent of the dog bites injuries treated at Phoenix Children’s Hospital came from dogs belonging to an immediate family member. MEDIA CONTACT: Jim McVeigh, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 480-301-4222, Email: mcveigh.jim@mayo.edu Stacy Dillier, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, 602-933-0824, sdillier@phoenixchildrens.com

Embargoed Releases. See specific embargo information for each study. MEDIA CONTACT: Joe Dangor, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284-5005, newsbureau@mayo.edu ROCHESTER, Minn. — Mayo Clinic urologists will present research findings on several topics at the American Urological Association Annual Meeting May 15–19 in New Orleans. Researchers will be available to discuss their research with reporters who are covering the conference. Mayo Clinic studies to be presented include: Holmium Laser Excision of Genitourinary Mesh Exposure Following Anti-Incontinence Surgery: Minimum Six-Month Follow-up. Embargoed until Sunday, May 17, 2015 1:00 p.m. CT The polypropylene mesh implants used in some incontinence surgeries for women can erode tissue and sometimes intrude into the bladder or urethra, often causing pain, bleeding and infection. Conventional treatment requires major open surgery. Mayo Clinic researchers have discovered they can trim mesh with an endoscopic laser and remove it without having to make incisions. “Removal of mesh with old-fashioned surgery is a big surgery,” says lead author Daniel Elliott, M.D., a Mayo Clinic urologist. “We were trying to see if there is a way to get this done easier. With certain types of mesh exposures this is very effective and others it’s not. But it presents itself as a potential option for some of these people to avoid a major surgery.”

  ROCHESTER, Minn. — Mayo Clinic Hospitals in Rochester, Minn, and Phoenix earned the top-tier High Performing distinction in all five common care categories in the latest ratings by U.S. News & World Report. U.S. News Best Hospitals for Common Care evaluated how well more than 4,500 hospitals nationwide performed on routine individual procedures and conditions. The five areas of focus are heart bypass surgery, hip replacement, knee replacement, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart failure. Only about 10 percent of the hospitals were rated as high performers in any category. Mayo Clinic hospitals in Rochester and Phoenix are among fewer than 50 of more than 800 institutions that rated High Performing in all five categories. Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, earned the High Performing rating in hip replacement. Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire, Wis., is rated High Performing in heart failure. The ratings placed hospitals into one of five performance tiers, with hospitals that performed consistently well rated highest. The two highest tiers were collapsed to a single “High Performing” tier and the two lowest were collapsed to a “Below Average” tier. Approximately 800 hospitals were rated High Performing in at least one procedure or condition. MEDIA CONTACT: Ann Schauer, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284-5005, Email: newsbureau@mayo.edu

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Mayo Clinic campuses were recently recognized by Practice Greenhealth for its efforts in responsible environmental practices. Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire, Wis., received the 2015 Practice Greenhealth Emerald Award for demonstrating superior sustainability programs and cross-functional excellence. A Circles of Excellence award was also received for having shown outstanding performance for commitment to preserving water. In addition to these practices, other sustainability efforts include increasing the use of cooling towers that saved 14.3 million gallons of water; restoring natural prairie habitats on the grounds around buildings to reduce watering needs; 6,400 pounds of carbon dioxide were diverted from the air by conserving energy through efficient lighting, heating and cooling systems; and 11,000 pounds of plastic and 845 pounds of cardboard were diverted from landfills through recycling. MEDIA CONTACT: Kelley Luckstein, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284-5005, email: newsbureau@mayo.edu

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Patients with liver cancer can be cured with a liver transplant. But because of the shortage of donated organs, these patients often die waiting for a liver. That’s because most transplant centers predominantly use livers from donors who die from brain death. But in the largest study of its kind, transplant physicians at Mayo Clinic in Florida have found that liver cancer patients have the same beneficial outcomes using organs donated by patients who died of cardiac death. The study was recently published online in the American Journal of Transplantation. MEDIA CONTACT: Paul Scotti, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 904-953-0199, scotti.paul@mayo.edu https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkxVxcwk89g

Mayo Clinic Researcher Explains Five Individual Categories for Treatment of Obesity https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Sc_Q4ls6uk ROCHESTER, Minn. – Mayo Clinic researchers have identified five sub-categories of obesity in an effort to determine the most effective, individual treatments. More than two in three adults are considered to be overweight or obese and 17 percent of children are obese in the United States. Obesity is a costly health issue that increases the risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer, among others. The prevalence of obesity continues to rise despite education and efforts around diet, exercise, and drug/surgical therapy. In response, researchers asked how the gastrointestinal system affects obesity. MEDIA CONTACT: Brian Kilen, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284-5005 or newsbureau@mayo.edu