by Dr. William C. Zamboni
Volume 1/Number 1
|  | | Dr. Bill Zamboni University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute | My research program is part of the Program of Molecular Therapeutics and Drug Discovery at University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute.
Like so many other people, my first experience with cancer was when a friend or family member developed cancer. In my situation, it was when my high school football coach developed Hodgkin’s disease. Coach Paul M. Shandor was more than just my high school football coach, he was my Father’s childhood friend, and I had known him for most of my life. All kids growing up should be fortunate enough to be associated with a person like Coach Shandor. He gave his players love and support, guidance in good times and bad, taught us about the hard work and determination required to attain goals, and most of all, he made us believe in ourselves. Coach Shandor passed away a few months after coaching our team in the District Championship game. I think about him often, especially when people ask me how and why I decided to be involved in cancer research. I believe it has a lot to do with him, his desire to help others, and the guidance and determination he instilled in me. I am now a member of the committee for the Paul M. Shandor Memorial Scholarship Fund that raises money for scholar-athletes from the high school were he coached and I played. It is another way to continue his love, support, and dedication to people.
My interests focus on the application of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles in the optimization of the chemotherapeutic treatment of cancer. Pharmacokinetic studies evaluate “how the body affects the drug”. For example, we study how the drug is removed from the body via the liver or kidney and how it is metabolized in the liver. In addition, we evaluate how much of the drug reaches the brain in order to determine if a drug may be a possible treatment for patients with brain tumors. Pharmacodynamic studies evaluate “how the drug affects the body”.  | | Dr. Zamboni | For example, we study the relationships between the exposures of anticancer agents in blood and tissues, and how this affects the incidence, severity, and type of side effects, such as the reduction in a patient’s white blood cells or platelets. In addition, we evaluate the relationship between the exposure of anticancer agents in blood and tumors, the pharmacologic effect (how the drug works), and response. The results of these studies are then used to rationally design future studies of the chemotherapeutic agents in patients with cancer.
A second focus of my research is evaluating the tumor disposition of anticancer agents, and factors affecting the delivery and removal of anticancer agents in tumors. It is currently unclear why in a patient with cancer and multiple tumor sites, such as melanoma or non small cell lung cancer, there can be a reduction in the size of some tumors while other tumors continue to grow during or after treatment. Such variable antitumor responses within a single patient may be associated with inherent differences in the amount of the drug that is able to get to the tumor via the blood supply and how long the drug remains in the tumor. The differences in tumor exposure of chemotherapeutic agents may be related to the number of blood vessels that lead to the tumor, how functional the blood vessels are within the tumor, and the structure and makeup of the tumor. As part of my work in this area, I was awarded a “V Foundation / Papa Johns Research Award” for my research entitled “Factors Affecting the Tumor Disposition of Anticancer Agents in Preclinical Models and in Patients with Melanoma”. These studies evaluate the variability in the exposure of anticancer agents within the same tumor and in different tumors. The clinical relevance of the studies is underscored by the need to treat solid tumors with anticancer agents that have high tumor penetration and to develop administration schedules to enhance selective tumor uptake, and ultimately improve the treatment of patients with cancer. | ..............................................................................................................................
Editor's Note: | | Dr. Bill Zamboni received his B.S. and Doctorate of Pharmacy degrees from the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy in Pittsburgh, PA. He performed his Residency in the Department of Pharmacy at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD, and his Fellowship in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Medicine in the Schools of Pharmacy and Medicine, respectively, at the University of Pittsburgh. He is also the Co-Chair of the Senate Athletic Committee at the University of Pittsburgh and a member of the Board of Directors of the University of Pittsburgh Alumni Association. He was recently married to Cara Ann O’Neill of Columbia, MD. Bill enjoys playing golf, running, and working out. In addition, he attends many University of Pittsburgh, and Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates, and Penquins sporting events, a schedule that his wife can not fully comprehend. |
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