Physician Update - Minnesota

Expanded Treatment Options at Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center

Two new drug options, varenicline and bupropion, have been used successfully in the context of medically managed residential treatment at the Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center.

New Center on Aging

Mayo Clinic has established the Mayo Clinic Robert and Arlene Kogod Center on Aging. The mission of the new center is to understand and improve the aging process with the vision of a longer and healthier life for all. It will integrate aging-related research, education and practice across multiple medical disciplines and research themes.

The center is directed by James Kirkland, M.D., Ph.D., General Internal Medicine, a nationally recognized expert in geriatric medicine and aging research. Dr. Kirkland was recently recognized by the Mayo Clinic Board of Trustees as the recipient of the Noaber Foundation Professorship in Aging Research.

Highlighted Clinical Trials

Two studies currently enrolling patients:

Endoscopic Therapy of Early Esophageal Cancer in Patients with Barrett's Esophagus

This study will determine if removing just the cancer with endoscopy is enough treatment or if the addition of another treatment called photodynamic therapy (treatment with a red light and a drug called sodium porfimer) is needed. Learn more about this early esophageal cancer trial.

Measles Virus Derivative Producing CEA (MV- CEA) in Patients with Recurrent Glioblastoma Multiforme

This research study is being done to:

• Test the safety of the measles virus, MV-CEA, and see what effects (good and bad) it has on you and your brain cancer
• Find the highest dose of MV-CEA that can be given without causing harmful side effects
• Find out how the tumor and your cells respond to the MV-CEA
• Test levels of CEA in your blood at different doses of MV-CEA
• Test for the presence of measles virus in your body after you are given MV-CEA

Learn more about the measles virus study for glioblastoma multiforme.