Jeff Miller, M.D.

Jeffrey Miller, M.D., hematology/oncology specialist and co-leader of the Cancer Center's Transplant Biology and Therapy Program, is the physician researcher overseeing both clinical studies, along with University of Minnesota physicians Sarah Cooley, M.D., and Melissa Geller, M.D.

"Each year in Minnesota alone, more than 2,000 people are diagnosed with cancers of the blood and bone marrow (leukemias, lymphomas, and myelomas), and over 4,000 women are told they have breast cancer or one of the other cancers common to women," Miller says. "Our pilot research studies aim to find better ways to treat these patients and improve their survival."

One of the pilot studies involves taking natural killer (NK) cells from a patient's family member and transfusing the cells into the patient diagnosed with advanced AML or advanced breast cancer. The goal is to use the donated NK cells to stimulate the patient's own immune system to fight the cancer.

Miller has successfully used this treatment to help some adult patients with advanced AML. This new study will expand on his previous research to test the experimental treatment in patients with advanced breast cancer as well as AML.

The other pilot study involves experimental treatment for patients with all types of hematological malignancies (leukemias, lymphomas, and myelomas), and women's cancers, including breast, ovarian, endometrial, and cervical cancer, and for whom standard therapies have failed. The treatment involves using a novel-immune-system-stimulating drug, called a Toll-like receptor stimulator. This new drug is believed to stimulate an important part of the immune system to indirectly and more efficiently activate the body's own lymphocytes. The new drug is given as a shot two times per week in an outpatient clinic or at the patient's home.

A limited number of adult patients who have the specified cancers will be enrolled to participate in the studies. Patients who are in the advanced stages of these cancers and wish more information, may call the Cancer Center's information line at 612-624-2620 or toll-free at 1-888-CANCER MN (1-888-226-2376).