Georgetown University Medical Center Staff
Jim Spies, M.D.
Dr. Spies and his group in the Division of Interventional Radiology have a nationally recognized reputation for treatment of uterine fibroids using uterine artery embolization, a minimally-invasive technique which decreases the blood supply to these benign tumors. Dr. Spies, in collaboration with investigators at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the University of Pittsburgh, will use a quality of life questionnaire to objectively measure outcomes in patients with fibroids that are managed using three different methods: hysterectomy (removal of the uterus), myomectomy (removal of the fibroid or fibroids), or uterine artery embolization. There has not been a similar study performed to date.
Anatoly Dritschilo, M.D.
Work by Dr. Dritschilo and his group in the Division of Radiation Medicine has focused on the development and evaluation of hollow titanium seeds for interstitial delivery of gene therapy into tumors. The gene therapy sensitizes the tumor to the effects of subsequent radiation therapy. Placement of the seeds will be performed using image-guided robotics developed by Dr. Kevin Cleary and Dr. Kenneth Wong of Georgetown University's ISIS (Imaging Science and Information Systems) Center. During the first year, the study will focus on defining the application doses needed for treatment in a rat model and further development of the robotics, computer software and imaging that will be required for accurate placement of the seeds into pelvic tumors of animal models. The initiation of clinical trials in human patients will begin after the preliminary work over 1-2 years is completed.
Robert Clarke, Ph.D., D.Sc.
Dr. Clarke aims to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms driving antiestrogen resistance and hormone independence in cancer. He also is interested in drug resistance, drug/hormone interactions, and the application of molecular profiling (e.g., gene expression microarrays, serial analysis of gene expression, tissue arrays) to predict gynecologic disease phenotypes and identify functionally relevant gene signaling networks.
Leena Hilakivi-Clarke, Ph.D.
Dr. Hilakivi-Clarke's research focuses on understanding the importance of timing of exposure to estrogens, phytoestrogens, and other dietary/nutrition components on the hormonal balance of an organism and its effects on development and progression of gynecologic disease, especially endometrial cancer.