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Lymphoma patient hopes her participation in UI
research trials will benefit others
Charmain Murphy, a 66-year-old retired claims insurance
supervisor from East Moline, Illinois, was working in
Minneapolis eight years ago when she slipped on the ice.
"It happened as I was getting out of the car at the
mailbox," she said. "It wrenched my shoulder. Over time it
just kept getting worse. An orthopaedic physician gave me a
cortisone shot but that didn't help. Then an X-ray showed
signs of cancer."
Murphy wasn't told immediately of the finding, though she
wondered what caused the little black spots on the X-ray.
Instead, she was scheduled for further evaluation and biopsy
at the University of Minnesota, where doctors removed two
nodes.
"The next thing I knew I was sitting in a room full of
medical people," she said. "I couldn't figure out what was
going on. Then they told me I had cancer and I just sort of
said, 'OK, goodbye.' I figured 'That's the way it is.'"
It wasn't until a little later that day, while walking
out of the hospital with friends, that the reality of her
condition set in. Murphy broke down and cried.
Soon thereafter, the cancer she had was given a name:
non-Hodgkins lymphoma, a cancer of the immune (lymphatic)
system.
"My oncologist in Minnesota said it was a good type of
cancer to have, that I could live 10 years with treatment."
As a Quad Cities native, Murphy longed to return to her
friends and family back home. Her Minnesota oncologist
advised against it (out of concern that she might not have
access to lymphoma specialists).
"He totally changed his mind when I mentioned that I
would be close to The University of Iowa," Murphy said. "In
fact, he was very familiar with the reputation of (UI
oncologist) Dr. Brian Link and had attended some of his
lectures."
That was five years ago. Ever since then, her cancer care
has been managed by lymphoma specialists at the Holden
Comprehensive Cancer Center at The University of Iowa.
"I have so much trust in Dr. Link," Murphy said. "I don't
worry about anything. I know I'm in the best possible
hands."
Murphy's care includes access to the latest research
protocols. In fact, she credits research involving her late
sister as having had perhaps the biggest impact on her life.
"My sister, LaMayne, died back in 1966," Murphy said.
"She participated in research at University of Iowa Children's Hospital
before she passed away. We later found out that this
research helped a young girl. With that motivation--if I can
help anybody, that's my benefit."
Murphy's most recent opportunity arose when she became
the world's first participant in an investigational trial
testing a second-generation monoclonal antibody. Rituximab
was the first monoclonal antibody approved by the FDA for
cancer treatment in the U.S. The drug's approval in 1997
followed a nationwide study that included Holden
researchers. Rituximab was initially approved for use by
itself and later was tested in combination with other
chemotherapy drugs.
Link said, "We presented a report in 1998 concluding that
the combination of rituximab and traditional chemotherapy
was safe, and the response rates seemed a little better than
we might have expected with traditional chemotherapy alone."
Studies completed since have confirmed that conclusion.
Now, several new antibodies are being evaluated to improve
the success rate. In fact, UI Hospitals and Clinics is the
only North American center participating in a trial to
evaluate the new antibody HuMax CD20. Murphy enrolled in the
study because she was a good candidate for the antibody. It
was actually the third UI research trial in which she has
participated, and she hopes patients will benefit from
whatever breakthroughs might occur.
Patients and family members who want more information
about lymphoma treatment at the Holden may call UI
Health Access and ask for Paula McCue, or call McCue
directly at 319-353-8365. Physicians may call UI
Consult. Please specify having seen this article in
PACEMAKER.
Symptoms of non-Hodgkins lymphoma
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Fevers
- Excessive sweating (usually at night)
- Weight loss or gain
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Enlarged spleen
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