THE IMP
About The International Mesothelioma Program (IMP)
David J. Sugarbaker, M.D., founded the International Mesothelioma Program (IMP) in response to the rising incidence of mesothelioma worldwide. Its mission encompasses treatment, research, and support of patients and families. The IMP's clinical focus is on developing the most effective, cutting-edge treatment strategies that can significantly extend patients' lives. Its research focus is collaborative - to bring together basic, translational, and clinical researchers who seek to understand how and why the disease develops and to translate those findings into improved patient care. Its supportive focus involves social work, pastoral care, and palliative care professionals who work to improve the quality of life for patients and their families.
The IMP is built on an existing multidisciplinary team collaborating on mesothelioma research and treatment, including:
- Brigham and Women's Hospital - Division of Thoracic Surgery and the Departments of Anesthesiology, Dermatology, Pathology and Radiology
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute - Departments of Medical and Radiation Oncology; Department of Society, Human Development, and Health; Pain and Palliative Care Service; and the Thoracic Oncology Program
- Harvard School of Public Health - Departments of Environmental Health and Cancer Cell Biology
- Massachusetts General Hospital - Biostatistics Center
The goals of the IMP include:
- Pioneering the latest, most advanced therapies through clinical and research collaboration
- Coordinating a translational research program to develop new diagnostic and screening tools and treatment options
- Characterizing in depth each patient's exposure to a large panel of suspected carcinogens by collaborating with a dedicated epidemiologist to collect historical data looking for risk factors leading to the development of MPM
- Providing the infrastructure of clinical materials, cell lines, animal models and pilot funding to assist talented scientists in their studies of biological mechanisms of mesothelioma initiation and progression
- Broadening the availability of assessment and therapy by training additional specialists
- Building a database of patients with the goal of identifying geographical areas for outreach and development of satellite centers
- Establishing satellite assessment centers in selected international institutions in high-prevalence areas
- Identifying international centers for potential research collaborations
The ultimate mission of the IMP is to offer state-of-the-art treatment to patients with mesothelioma. The success in the fight against mesothelioma will be the direct result of the hard work and effort of these dedicated professionals.
All proceeds from the Stevan E. Downey Memorial Golf Tournament are donated directly to the IMP.
For more information, please visit
www.impmeso.org
