Security Upgrades Throughout DHS Underway
Department of Medicine – Medical Education and Research Update
Danbury Hospital To Train Next Generation of Surgeons
Exciting Developments in Research Distinguish Danbury
Exciting Developments in Research Distinguish Danbury
Danbury Hospital's Biomedical Research Program. The program is focused on the rapid translation of newly discovered cancer bio-markers and the refined, molecularly targeted therapies of the future. This program aims to speed the development of new treatment options and cancer drugs, initially focusing on gynecological oncology. Studies currently underway involve:
- the use of drugs derived from natural products such as Taxol, Epothilone (EpoB) and all related microtubule stabilizing agents for the treatment of malignancies, specifically in the field of women's cancer;
- the evaluation of tubulin and resistance to microtubule stabilizing agents in type II endometrial cancer;
- the problem of drug resistance. Epothilone B, like Taxol, induces tubulin polymerization and microtubule stabilization, and is presently being evaluated in phase III clinical trials.
An EpoB analog, Ixabepilone, has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. The mechanism of action of microtubule stabilizing agents will be pursued. The program will generate extensive interest in evaluation of the new drug with the same mechanism of action. The research will focus on functional genomics and proteomics with last generation BIACORE biosensors for preclinical/ clinical experiments in women's cancer specimen.
The Original Research and Scholarly Activities section works with the faculty and staff at Danbury Hospital to design and conduct epidemiologic studies which help locate where diseases occur in the population and identify the causes and those at greatest risk. The section is also actively involved in Health Services Research, which will lead to new approaches to improve performance in the delivery of high quality medical care. This team is currently directing projects in Cardiology, Pulmonary, Gastroenterology, Internal Medicine, Neonatology and Obstetrics and Gynecology, including a landmark, community-based Lyme disease registry that will serve as the basis for research leading to a better understanding of the disease.
The Clinical Trial Section assists Principal Investigators with the business aspects of clinical research, to attract more important research work to the Danbury Health System and to assist the public and patients in their search for clinical trials information. The section is involved in more than 20 active clinical research trials in many specialty areas, including: Cardiology, Rheumatology, Oncology, Pulmonary, Gastroenterology, Emergency Medicine, and Nephrology. This section can conduct any clinical trial Phase I to Phase IV, from the smallest pilot study to worldwide multi-center trials, medical device trials to outcomes and quality of life analyses.
The Quality Improvement Section conducts studies that help evaluate the extent, severity and impact of a need or problem; assess and compare the effectiveness of various clinical or administrative approaches; identify areas for educational efforts; set performance goals; and track performance improvements.