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Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Research
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| The cancer research center at Children's
Hospital of Orange County was established in 1982 to improve
the care, quality of life, and survival rate of children with
cancer. Because Children's Hospital participates with a number
of national cooperative research groups, eligible patients may
receive experimental treatments and drugs available through
major national cancer centers. Every year since its inception,
the pediatric cancer research laboratory at CHOC has received
national recognition.
The division of Hematology/Oncology has participated in collaborative
studies with the National Cancer Institute, Memorial Sloan-Kettering
Cancer Center and Mayo clinic. Broad community support, state
of the art laboratory equipment, and a highly respected professional
staff ensure that CHOC patients receive the newest, most effective
techniques for improved care and control of their disease.
Diane
Nugent, MD, Director of Hematology, was recently awarded
a 5-year, $1.09 million NIH (National Institutes of Health)
grant to study immune mechanisms in hematologic diseases.
The Hematology department, is actively studying the collagen
receptors on platelets and their influence on bleeding and
thrombotic disorders.
In addition to this, there are ongoing collaborative studies
with Scripps Institute in La Jolla, California on megakaryopoiesis
and platelet function. CHOC maintains one of the largest and
most comprehensive hemophilia diagnostic and treatment programs
in the country, which receives funding from the CDC (Center
for Disease Control) and the Maternal Child Health Bureau.
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| Pediatric Rheumatology
Research |
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| The Rheumatology Department at CHOC
maintains one of the largest populations of pediatric rheumatology
patients in California. A Pediatric Rheumatology fellowship,
in association with the Lupus Foundation, began in July of 1999.
Dr.
Deborah McCurdy, Dr. Lisa Mohyi, and Dr.
Sheryl Boon are participating in clinical trials of antiinflammatories
and other new biologic agents in JRA (juvenile rheumatoid arthritis)
patients, and collaborate with the other departments here in
studying cytokine-mediated disease processes.
The Arthritis Foundation of Southern California is helping
to support research on the T-cell markers that are preferentially
expressed in patients with active autoimmune disease. Dr.
McCurdy is also investigating the genetic factors that predispose
children to JRA and lupus, the DNA repair process in autoimmune
disease, and the link of infection to the development of HSP
(Henoch-Schonlein purpura) and other vasculitidies. In association
with the Heme/Onc division, they are looking at the use of
stem cell transplants in treating patients with severe autoimmune
conditions.
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| Pediatric Infectious
Disease Research |
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| In the ID department, Dr.
Antonio Arrieta, Dr.
David Lang, and Dr.
Jasjit Singh are participating in ongoing clinical trials
of numerous antimicrobials - including antifungal, antiviral
and antibacterial agents. Additionally, they are involved in
the testing of new vaccines, and collaborate on bench research
related to cytokines. Dr. Arrieta is involved in clinical research
on otitis media and pneumococcal resistance to antibiotics.
As CHOC has a large population of cystic fibrosis patients,
there are many studies being done in conjunction with the
Pulmonology department on better antimicrobial agents and
treatment modalities for this chronic disease. Dr. Arrieta
also cares for the largest population of pediatric HIV patients
in Orange County, and is involved in data collection on many
of the new antiretroviral agents and on the long term survival
of these patients. Postinfectious syndromes and infectious
causes of other idiopathic diseases, along with the causes
and treatment of fever with neutropenia are other areas of
interest in this department.
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| Molecular Neurobiology
Research |
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| Research in Molecular Neurobiology
here at CHOC seeks to understand the role of thyroid hormone
and endocrine disturbances of early growth, development and
behavior. Stuart Stein, MD, Director of the Brain and Tissue
Bank for Developmental Disorders, was recently awarded a 5-year,
$1.06 million NIH grant to study the metabolic and environmental
causes of severe developmental and behavioral disorders. The
Brain and Tissue Bank at CHOC is designed to provide academic
researchers around the world with tissue as they work to understand
and treat these complex disorders of childhood. |
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| Pediatric Endocrine
Research |
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| The current focus of the diabetes
research lab at CHOC is the study of abnormal cytokine responses
and immune attack on pancreatic insulin producing islet cells.
The diabetes research team is also studying the effects of certain
drugs on the reduction of the eye, kidney, skin and joint complications
often experienced by diabetics. |
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| Critical Care
and Neonatology Research |
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| The NICU staff is involved in multiple
ongoing studies investigating the use of nitric oxide, high
frequency ventilation, inhaled steroids, surfactant use and
ECMO in the care of premature and other critically ill infants.
Other studies in the NICU include the use of GCSF and thrombopoietin
in premature infants and an ongoing study on neonatal skin care.
The PICU faculty is involved in data collection on the survival
and outcome of near drowning victims along with investigation
of the use of nitric oxide, ECMO, and surfactant in their patients.
The PICU fellowship program, which is linked to Harbor/UCLA,
requires involvement by its fellows in research projects. |
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| Pediatric Gastroenterology
Research |
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| With the addition of a fellowship
program hosted in concert with its new Gastrointestinal Motility
Center, CHOC now houses a state-of-the-art facility for the
evaluation and study of perplexing gastrointestinal disorders.
The Pediatric Gastrointestinal Motility Center performs evaluations
of children and adolescents referred for digestive disorders
that are undiagnosed or fail to respond to standard treatments. |
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| Pediatric Cardiology
Research |
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| In the Cardiology department, Dr.
Farhouch Berdjis is participating in FDA clinical trials
evaluating new devices inserted via catheter to close congenital
heart defects (Patent Ductus Arteriosus and Atrial Septal Defects).
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| Resident Participation
in Research |
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| CHOC Residents are encouraged to
initiate new research studies or to participate in ongoing clinical
research projects. Numerous residents have made presentations
at national meetings or have published their findings in the
scientific literature. Up to 2 months of the 3 year curriculum
can be devoted solely to research. |
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