Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts

The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA is a full-service treatment center specializing in cancer research and patient care for adult and pediatric patients. Dana-Farber consistently ranks among the top hospitals in the world for oncology care and other medical specialties.

The origin of Dana-Farber began in 1947 when a group of doctors and researchers came together with one goal in mind; to provide adult and pediatric patients hope during their cancer journey. After making a few remarkable treatment discoveries for childhood cancer, the cancer institute began seeing adult patients in 1969.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute hosts the International Mesothelioma Program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, which treats more mesothelioma patients than any other program of its kind. Hundreds of mesothelioma patients in Boston and across the United States consistently visit to access the latest therapies and receive care from the top mesothelioma treatment specialists. The Dana-Farber Cancer Insitute consists of two main hospital locations in Boston’s Longwood neighborhood and in Chestnut Hill (Newton), Massachusetts, and a variety of outpatient community-based locations.

What is Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Known For?

Throughout the decades, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute was responsible for discovering various childhood cancer treatments, significantly impacting outcomes of acute lymphocytic leukemia and Wilms’ tumor.

A few other important 20th-century discoveries at Dana-Farber include:

• Designed treatments for acute myelogenous leukemia, soft-tissue sarcomas, major histocompatibility complex, ovarian cancer, and human T-cell leukemia (HTLV-1, which causes HIV-1, then later AIDS).
• Helped make bone marrow transplantation safe and effective
• Discovered the gene that increases the risk of colon cancer (MSH-2 gene and MLH-1 gene)

The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute became a designated center for aids research in 1989, only nine years after the life-threatening condition was identified. Researchers at Dana-Farber made major breakthroughs in the understanding of what causes HIV and AIDS.

Mesothelioma Treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

From the first meeting and throughout the entire continuum of care, patients have access to multiple experts and support staff working together to reduce cancer and improve quality of life. These mesothelioma treatment teams at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute involve a team of surgical, medical, and radiation oncologists.

Mesothelioma pathology specialists at Dana-Farber play a significant role in determining the treatment course of action. Cancer cells have unique characteristics that can be distinguished by a pathologist under a microscope. Once the mesothelioma cell type is determined, an oncologist can make a more informed decision on the next course of action for a patient.

Mesothelioma treatment at Dana-Farber could involve radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or a combination of therapies. Surgery is available to some mesothelioma patients in earlier stages and is performed by a mesothelioma thoracic surgeon. Life-extending surgical options for mesothelioma patients offered at Dana-Farber include pleurectomy/decortication and extrapleural pneumonectomy.

Dana-Farber Support Services and Mesothelioma Specialists

Although coping with mesothelioma alone can be incredibly difficult, many patients deal with an assortment of related complications and side effects that come with it. Support services are available to help mesothelioma patients manage pain, receive emotional support, and access home care services. The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute comprises of several experienced mesothelioma doctors who have spent years researching, diagnosing, or treating mesothelioma.

Radiation Oncologists

• >Elizabeth H. Baldini, MD, MPH
• Kelly Fitzgerald, MD, PhD
• David. E. Kozono, MD, PhD
• Raymond H. Mak, MD
• Julia S. Wong, MD

Medical Oncologists

• David A. Barbie, MD
• Narjust Florez, MD
• David M. Jackman, MD
• Bruce E. Johnson, MD
• David J. Kwiatikowski, MD, PhD

Surgical Oncologists

• Raphael Bueno, MD
• Michael T. Jaklitsch, MD, FACS
• Hassan A. Khalil, MD

International Mesothelioma Program Partnership

The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Brigham and Women’s Hospital operate together to treat specialty diseases and all forms of lung cancer, including mesothelioma.

The integrated program called the International Mesothelioma Program (IMP), treats over 300 patients each year and is considered to be one of the top medical treatment centers for mesothelioma.  Specialists at the IMP use a multidisciplinary approach to care using the most advanced therapies while integrating support services such as counseling, housing assistance, and financial assistance.

The IMP consists of over 80 doctors, researchers, caregivers, and support staff under the direction of one of the top mesothelioma doctors, Dr. Raphael Bueno.

The treatment program consists of multiple mesothelioma specialists dedicated to providing a supportive environment for each patient, including:

• Medical oncologist
• Radiation oncologists or dosimetrists
• Surgical oncologists
• Anesthesiologists
• Pathologists or respiratory specialists
• Nurses
• Social workers
• Physician assistants
• Nutritionists

If your doctor suspects your symptoms or chest X-ray could be mesothelioma, they may refer you to the international Mesothelioma Program. However, you can still come to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for a second opinion or to receive treatment.

Mesothelioma Clinical Trials at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Since the beginning of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, research has been a driving force in the development of new drugs for mesothelioma and the advancement of existing treatments. With generous grant funding from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), there are several enrolling mesothelioma clinical trials.

• DuRvalumab (MEDI4736) with chemotherapy as the first line treatment in advanced pleural mesothelioma: Phase 3 randomized trial for patients with pleural mesothelioma in advanced stages. Patients receive standard chemotherapy (cisplatin or carboplatin and pemetrexed) with the immunotherapy drug durvalumab. Trial ID: NCT04334759
• NRG-LU006: Phase III Randomized Trial of Pleurectomy/Decortication Plus Chemotherapy with or Without Adjuvant Hemithoracic Intensity-Modulated Pleural Radiation Therapy (IMPRINT) For Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: Phase 3 trial investigating how well the addition of targeted radiation therapy to surgery and standard chemotherapy (pemetrexed, cisplatin, or carboplatin) works for stage I-IIIA pleural mesothelioma. Trial ID: NCT04158141
• Phase 1, Multi-Center, Open-Label Study of VT3989 in Patients with Refractory Locally Advanced or Metastatic Solid Tumors Enriched for Tumors Harboring Mutations of the Neurofibromatosis Type 2 Gene (mutant NF2 or mNF2): Phase I trial investigating the safety and tolerability of the orally administrated growth inhibitor drug, VT3989, in patients with advanced pleural mesothelioma. Trial ID: NCT04665206
• A Phase ½ STudy of CPI-0209 in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors and Lymphomas: First-in-human trial of molecule inhibitor, CPI-0209, in patients with advanced mesothelioma and lymphoma. Trial ID: NCT04104776
• A Phase ½ Multiple Expansion Cohort Trial of MRTX1719 in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors in Homozygous MTAP Deletion: Phase ½ study examining the safety and tolerability of MRTX1719 in patients with advanced mesothelioma, non-small cell lung cancer, and pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Trial ID: NCT05245500
• An Open-label, Dose Escalation and Expansion, Phase 1a/1b Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics of TAK-500, a Novel Stimulator of Interferon Genes Agonist, as a Single Agent and in Combination With Pembrolizumab in Adult Patients: Phase I trial involving patients with a variety of locally advanced cancer tumors, including mesothelioma, breast cancer, and esophageal cancer. Trial ID: NCT05070247
• A Master Protocol of Stereotactic Magnetic Resonance Guided Adaptive Radiation Therapy (SMART): Phase I-II trial evaluating the efficacy of stereotactic magnetic resonance radiation therapy in patients with cancer, including mesothelioma. Trial ID: NCT04115254
• A Phase 1/2 Dose Escalation/Expansion Study of NGM707 as Monotherapy and in Combination with Pembrolizumab in Advanced or Metastatic Solid Tumor Malignancies: Study of NGM707 as Monotherapy and in Combination with Pembrolizumab in Advanced or Metastatic Solid Tumor Malignancies. Trial ID: NCT04913337

Treatment Specialties at Dana-Farber, MA

The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an affiliate with Harvard Medical School and one of the top generators of doctors and the most educated teachers in the United States. The mesothelioma program at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is just a small part of the cancer care offered there. Although the treatment center focuses on cancer, Dana-Farber specializes in various areas of healthcare, including cardiology, hematology, urology, and orthopedics.

Other cancer specialties at Dana-Farber:

• Colon cancer
• Lung cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Uterine cancer

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s Adult Survivorship Program

The Adult Survivorship Program is offered to patients to find specialists, education, and support to help manage their cancer. The program helps patients manage the risk of developing a different form of cancer, understand the long-term effects of treatment, and address other concerns.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Location and Address

The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute consists of two main medical centers and various outpatient community-based locations in Brighton, Milford, South Weymouth, Methuen, Foxborough, and Londonderry.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute – Longwood Medica Area

360 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02215

Main Phone: 877-442-3324

General Information: 617-632-3000

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute – Chestnut Hill

300 Boylston Street Floors 3 & 4, Newton, MA 02459

Main Phone: 877-442-3324

General Information: 617-632-3000

Mesothelioma patients can get in contact with the mesothelioma department by calling 617-732-5922.

Financial Assistance and Billings Solutions Department: 617-632-3795

Financial Assistance for Mesothelioma Treatment

Mesothelioma cancer is caused by prolonged exposure to the naturally occurring mineral known as asbestos. Continuous exposure to inadequately removed or disturbed building products that contain asbestos can cause diseases such as mesothelioma. Because of its rarity, most patients travel long distances to receive treatment. The cost of cancer treatment and related expenses can burden patients, and that doesn’t seem to be changing as asbestos imports are still on the rise.

Mesothelioma patients can get financial assistance for treatment through legal compensation. Legal claims and lawsuits provide financial assistance that covers treatment, caregiver/hospice services, medications, and other related expenses. Experienced attorneys fight to recover the highest amount of compensation possible for each victim of asbestos.

MesotheliomaHub helps asbestos victims in Boston, Massachusetts attain financial assistance from a mesothelioma lawyer. Submit your information to the top mesothelioma lawyers and patient advocates in the country by filling out a case evaluation for yourself or a loved one.

Disclaimer: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute has no professional affiliation with Mesotheliomahub.com.