Ganciclovir can cause pain or inflammation at the site of intravenous § 
administration. It can cause a lowering of the white blood cells or of the blood 
platelets (often referred to as blood counts) creating a risk of infections or f 
bleeding, but this risk is small, and the blood counts recover when the drug is 1 
discontinued or transfusions may be given to offset this risk. w 
Laparoscopy-1 aparotomv - to determine the extent of your disease and for the ability h 
to follow the course of this therapy. We will examine the inside of your abdominal Jy 
cavity. This will be done by making a small incision in your abdomen and placing a o 
small telescope into your abdomen. In the event that the telescope cannot be placed ic 
into the cavity due to scar tissue from previous treatments, a larger incision will 
be made so that your abdomen can be directly viewed. This procedure will be | § 
performed at least twice, no later than 45 days before and after the beginning of 
therapy. The main risk to this procedure is infection. There is an unlikely i 
possibility of death due to anesthesia. t 
BENEFITS 
r 
It is not possible to predict whether or not any personal benefit will result from 3 
my participation in this treatment program. Should the disease become worse, should r 
side effects become too severe, should new scientific developments occur that 
indicate that the treatment is not in my best interest, or should I or my physician * 
feel that this treatment is no longer in my best interest, the treatment will be 
stopped. Further treatment would be discussed at that time. I 
ALTERNATIVES j 
Alternative treatments are mainly therapy with chemotherapy drugs. There is no . 
clear evidence that such therapy would provide an increased chance of controlling 
the disease. None of these alternatives is yet considered curative or standard 
medical treatment. Some of them are under research just as is this gene-modified : 
cancer treatment. An additional alternative is no therapy at all. 
The doctors can provide detailed information about my disease and the benefits of 
any available treatments. I should feel free to discuss my disease and prognosis 
with my doctors and nurses. The physician involved in my care will be available to 
answer any questions I have concerning this research program now, or at any time in 
the future. 
CONTACT PERSONS/COMPENSATION 
In the event that physical injury occurs which the University determines to have 
been a direct result of participating in this study, facilities for treatment of 
injury will be provided. Compensation for non-negl igent injury is not available 
from the Strong Memorial Hospital. For more information concerning the research, 
research-related risks, or injury, I may contact my oncology physician or nurse at 
(716) 275-4651 or 4652. For more information regarding patients’ rights in research 
studies, please call the Cancer Center’s Social Work Clinical Coordinator at (716) 
275-5908. 
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Recombinant DNA Research, Volume 15 
