Biologic Therapy Program
Our Biologic Therapy Program focuses on the treatment of advanced melanoma and kidney cancer. Physicians, including Drs. Michael Atkins, David McDermott, James Mier, Rupal Bhatt, and Daniel Cho, investigate and use biologic agents, such as cytokines and vaccines, to treat solid tumors in patients with metastatic melanoma and kidney carcinoma.
Their pivotal efforts have helped develop standard approaches to these cancers. Clinicians see 200 new patients a year, offer more than 20 open research protocols, and enroll 150 plus patients annually in research studies. Specialized areas of research and treatment include:
- Interleukin-2 based therapy
- Vaccines, cytokines, and other immunotherapies
- Angiogenesis and signal transduction inhibitors
- Pro-apoptotic agents to promote programmed cell death
A steady stream of NIH, foundation, and industry grants support this groundbreaking work, as do two NCI-sponsored SPORE grants in skin and kidney cancer, through the DF/HCC.
Patients with melanoma and kidney cancer who require surgical care are treated in our Cutaneous Oncology and Renal Tumor Programs.
Our Biologic Therapy Program is Internationally recognized for contributions to the biologic treatment of cancer using cytokines, vaccines, and other novel agents.
