Digestive System Diseases Commons^™

Locoregional Therapy Pressure-Enabled Drug Delivery For Liver Cancers, Thomas Eggleston, Bassem Fayek, Jacqueline Kowalke, Mina Makary

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

Hepatic malignancies account for a substantial portion of global cancer mortality, with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHC), and metastatic liver disease representing the most common diagnoses. While surgical resection and liver transplantation remain curative options for eligible patients, most patients are diagnosed at stages unsuitable for surgery. This has shifted medical management towards locoregional therapies (LRTs) which are often catheter-directed. Of these interventions, the use of conventional end-hole catheters for therapeutic infusion has been a mainstay of treatment, but this method is constrained by retrograde particle escape and elevated tumoral interstitial fluid pressure. Together, these factors limit drug penetration …

Biotic Therapies For Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Current Interventions, Gina Wodarczyk, Maria Winte, Diana Mastellone, Termen Singh, Joshua Desipio, Sangita Phadtare

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by recurrent abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits without measurable disease processes. Recent research emphasizes the gut-brain-microbiome (GBM) axis and explores how microbiota influence gastrointestinal and central nervous system functions. Here, we first discuss a brief overview of various treatment approaches for IBS, focusing on interventions such as probiotics, prebiotics, or synbiotics that target the GBM axis in adults with IBS. Relevant trials discussed the use of probiotics, prebiotics, or synbiotics.

Specific Carbohydrate Diet Versus Mediterranean Diet In Adult Patients With Mild To Moderate Ulcerative Colitis: A Randomized Controlled-Feeding Trial, Albert Sheng-Yin Chen, Long Nguyen, Brianna Gray, Katherine Williams, Jenny Gurung, Lauren Canha, Jessica Mcgoldrick, Jane Hubbard, Hamed Khalili

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

Background and aims: This pilot randomized controlled-feeding trial compared the effect of Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) and Mediterranean diet (MeD) in mild to moderate ulcerative colitis (UC).

Methods: Seventeen adults were randomized to a 6-week SCD (n = 8) or MeD (n = 9) intervention. Primary outcome was change in partial Mayo Clinic score (pMCS).

Results: The study was discontinued early due to significant dropout (n = 9, 52.9%). There was no significant between-group differences observed for pMCS change (SCD, -0.8; MeD, -1.3; p = 0.499) or secondary outcomes. Exploratory metagenomic analysis revealed enrichment of Parasutterella excrementihominis …

Limited English Proficiency, Acculturative Stress, And Quality Of Life Among Korean American Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B, Hee-Soon Juon, Gilbert C. Gee, Julia G. Katcher, Daniel Yang, Katherine Smith, Ann C. Klassen

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is one of the most widespread liver diseases in the world and disproportionately affects Asian Americans, who are further impacted by the lower quality of life imposed by the infection. Limited English proficiency (LEP) and acculturative stress play an important role in the study of patients with CHB, but the interrelationships of LEP, acculturative stress, and health outcomes are not well studied in this population. This study aims to explore how acculturative stress mediates the relationship between LEP and health outcomes among Korean American patients with CHB.

METHODS: A total of 365 CHB patients completed …

Post-Traumatic Rupture Of Primary Solid Pseudopapillary Epithelial Neoplasm (Spen) Of The Pancreas In A Male Adolescent: A Case Report, Paulo Castro, Heather Hartman, Yashasvi Shukla, Michael Moore, Dennis Drehner, Harish Lavu

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Introduction Solid pseudopapillary epithelial neoplasm (SPEN) is a rare pancreatic tumor that typically presents in adult women and is usually asymptomatic. Case presentation A 12-year-old male presented to the emergency department with worsening abdominal pain one day after suffering mild abdominal trauma during a soccer match. Physical exam showed diffuse abdominal tenderness and guarding. CT abdomen with IV contrast showed a heterogeneous, round structure adjacent to the pancreatic tail with mass effect upon the spleen. MRI abdomen revealed a “claw sign” of pancreatic tissue surrounding the structure, suggesting a an underlying pancreatic mass with capsular rupture measuring 8.3 x 8.1 …

A Tissue Renewal-Based Mechanism Drives Colon Tumorigenesis, Ryan M. Boman, Gilberto Schleiniger, Christopher Raymond, Juan P. Palazzo, Anne Shehab, Bruce M. Boman

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

Our Goal is to identify how colorectal cancer (CRC) arises in the single-layered cell epithelium (simple columnar epithelium) that lines the luminal surface of the large intestine. Background: We recently reported that the dynamic organization of cells in colonic epithelium is encoded by five biological rules and conjectured that colon tumorigenesis involves an autocatalytic tissue renewal reaction. Introduction Our objective was to define how altered crypt turnover explains tissue disorganization that leads to adenoma morphogenesis and CRC. Hypothesis: Changes in rate of tissue renewal-based cell polymerization leads to epithelial expansion and tissue disorganization during adenoma histogenesis. Methods: Accordingly, we created …

Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography And Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis: A Retrospective Study Of A High-Volume Program, Kristel Leung, Michael Youssef, Yasi Xiao, Catherine Streutker, Aliya Gulamhusein, Bettina Hansen, Natalia Calo, Gary May, Jeffrey Mosko, Gideon Hirschfield

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is valuable in management of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Herein, we characterize individuals with PSC who underwent ERCP on-demand at a high-volume quaternary centre, with evaluation of pathology results and short-term postprocedural outcomes.

METHODS: This retrospective cohort study evaluated patients with PSC who underwent ERCP at St Michael's Hospital between April 2011 and July 2021. Chart review was conducted to collect clinical, procedural, and pathology data, and reported post-ERCP complications within 90 days. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to evaluate factors associated with post-ERCP complications and placement of a biliary stent.

RESULTS: One hundred and …

Epidemiology Of Metabolic Syndrome In Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Population-Level Cohort Study From The United States, Aakash Desai, Himsikhar Khataniar, Jana G. Hashash, Priya Sehgal, Francis A. Farraye, Gursimran S. Kochhar

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological data on metabolic syndrome (MetS) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are limited.

METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the United States (US) Collaborative Network (TriNetX) to obtain data for patients with IBD between 2010 and 2023. The primary aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of MetS in ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). Prevalence was further characterized by age, sex, race, disease location, IBD medications, history of surgery, and IBD phenotype.

RESULTS: Among 100,890 patients with IBD, metabolic syndrome (MetS) affected 34.4% overall (UC 32.4%, CD 34.3%). Prevalence rose sharply …

Aberrant Expression Of A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase With Thrombospondin Motifs 13 (Adamts13) In Pancreatic Cancer Leads To Dichotomic Functions, Stephanie Allmang, Hagen R. Witzel, Anne Hausen, Simone Marquard, Christoph Eckert, Nicole Marnet, Nina Hörner, Philipp Mayer, Stefan Heinrich, Hien Dang, Wilfried Roth, Matthias M. Gaida

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most aggressive cancers characterized by highly invasive growth into the surrounding peripancreatic fat tissue, where tumor cells can directly interact with adipocytes. Due to poor response to the currently available (radio)chemotherapies, there is an urgent need for advanced therapy concepts. The present study shows that ADAMTS13 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 13), a key factor in blood coagulation, is significantly overexpressed in human PDAC. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that ADAMTS13 expression is associated with prolonged survival and negatively correlated with vascular density. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrate its partial …

Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonists And The Clinical Outcomes Of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Ahmed B. Bayoumy, Lindsay M. Clarke, Parakkal Deepak, Aakash Desai, Priya Sehgal, Uri Gorelik, Haggai Bar-Yoseph, Marie Villumsen, Chris J. J. Mulder, Dirk J. Stenvers, Maarten E. Tushuizen, Nanne K. H. De Boer

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Prior studies showed worse outcomes in obese inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients, especially those related to hospitalizations, surgery, and steroid-free remission. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RAs) have demonstrated significant metabolic benefits for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity. Hence, GLP1-RAs may improve clinical outcomes in patients with IBD, especially those with obesity. The objective was to systematically evaluate the impact of GLP1-RAs on clinical outcomes in patients with IBD.

METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was performed using the databases PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library from inception to March 15, 2025. Studies reporting outcomes …

Neighborhood Social Cohesion Associated With Chronic Liver Disease Prevalence And All-Cause Mortality, Tiange P. Zhang, Jennifer L. Dodge, Divya Ayyala-Somayajula, Norah A. Terrault

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

Background and Aims: Neighborhood social cohesion (NSC)—the degree of trust and solidarity within a community—may influence health through multiple pathways including shaping healthy norms, perception of safety, and stress. Whether NSC influences chronic liver disease (CLD) prevalence and associated mortality in the United States is unknown. Methods: Using 172,047 adults from the 2013–2018 National Health Interview Survey with linkage to National Death Index mortality data, NSC was measured using questions on help availability, accountability, trustworthiness, and connectedness among neighbors, with composite scores (4–16) categorized as minimal (4–7), low (8–10), moderate (11–13), and high (14–16). Logistic and Cox regression tested the …

Failure To Rescue After Surgery For Pancreatic Cancer: A Systematic Review And Narrative Synthesis Of Risk Factors And Safety Strategies, Masashi Uramatsu, Yoshikazu Fujisawa, Paul Barach, Hiroaki Osakabe, Moe Matsumoto, Yuichi Nagakawa

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

Background: Failure to rescue (FTR), defined as death after major postoperative complications, is a critical quality indicator in pancreatic cancer surgery. Despite advances in surgical techniques and perioperative care, FTR rates remain high and vary across institutions. Methods: This systematic review uses a narrative synthesis followed by PRISMA 2020. A PubMed search (1992-2025) identified 83 studies; after screening, 52 studies (2010-2025) were included. Eligible designs were registry-based, multicenter, single-center, or prospective audits. Given substantial heterogeneity in study designs, FTR definitions, and outcome measures, a narrative synthesis was performed; no formal risk-of-bias assessment or meta-analysis was conducted. Results: …

A Comparative Evaluation Of Two Subharmonic-Aided Pressure Estimation (Shape) Analysis Methods, Hailee Mayer, Priscilla Machado, Trang Vu, Annalisa Berzigotti, Jaume Bosch, Elton Dajti, Antonina Antonenko, Kirk Wallace, Flemming Forsberg

Department of Radiology Faculty Papers

Pressure measurement in clinical practice is a valuable tool for diagnostic evaluation, especially in diseases such as portal hypertension. Currently, portal pressures are measured by invasive hepatic vein catheterization, posing risks to patients, and limiting how often measurements can be obtained. Subharmonic-aided pressure estimation (SHAPE) is an ultrasound-based technique that leverages ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) to estimate changes in hydrostatic pressure. UCAs act as nonlinear oscillators when exposed to high enough acoustic pressures (typically > 200 kPa) and produce significant energy components ranging from subharmonics to higher harmonics. Tissues do not generate significant subharmonic components, thus making it the optimal component …

Immunotherapy For Precision Medicine In Colorectal Cancer, Miao Cao, Michael Xu, Zinah Bairmani, Babar Bashir, Scott A. Waldman, Adam E. Snook

Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth most common cancer and second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. The implementation of CRC screening has decreased CRC incidence in adults older than 65 years. However, among young adults who experience more aggressive disease progression, CRC incidence has been increasing for decades. Immunotherapy represents a collection of innovative and promising approaches with greater efficacy and safety. In this review, we discuss modalities and selected targets of immunotherapies for CRCs that are guided by precision medicine.

AREAS COVERED: The following review focuses on immunological approaches for CRCs, including therapeutic monoclonal …

The Predilection Of Specific Diseases To Affect Different Sections Of The Esophagus, Monjur Ahmed

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

Certain esophageal diseases have a predilection for affecting different parts of the esophagus. This predilection is noted in our clinical practice as we investigate various esophageal diseases using multiple imaging and motility studies, as well as endoscopic procedures with biopsies. Clinical presentations vary with the stage and location of the disease. Clinicians can suspect certain diseases when a particular part of the esophagus is involved and then can perform appropriate investigations. Esophageal diseases with section involvement, with their symptomatology, diagnostic tests, and management, have been discussed in this narrative review. This review aims to revisit those diseases with a current …

The Role Of Liver Macrophages In Viral Liver Pathogenesis, Alexis Brantly, Kyle Yeakle, Michael J. Bouchard, Peter J. Gaskill, Michael R. Nonnemacher

Kimmel Cancer Center Faculty Papers

Liver macrophages play important roles in the pathophysiology of liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, liver macrophages are a heterogenous population and have differing roles in maintenance of liver function and response in disease. In a healthy liver, macrophages play a critical role in antigen processing, maintaining tolerance to the high levels of gut-derived bacterial products, and regulating inflammation through cytokine response. However, macrophages also play a critical role in liver pathology, specifically in the context of viral infection. The liver is targeted by multiple viruses, including human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus, which dysregulate macrophage …

Gastrointestinal Fistulas-What Gastroenterologists Need To Know In 2025, Monjur Ahmed

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

Gastrointestinal fistulas are increasingly being encountered in our clinical practice because of the increased burden of Crohn's disease, bariatric surgeries, interventional endoscopic procedures, nonsurgical trauma, and war and disaster zones worldwide. Presentation depends on the location and specific type of the fistula. Symptomatic ones can have a tremendous impact on social life and can cause dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, malnutrition, increased morbidity, and mortality. Different imaging studies and endoscopic procedures are done to establish the diagnosis. Treatment modalities to close the fistula depend on the underlying disease and the type of fistula. They include conservative treatment, medical therapy, endoscopic interventions, and …

The Effect Of Hcv On Methadone Dose During Pregnancy, Sarah Boudova, Neel S. Iyer, Danielle M. Tholey, Jonathan M. Fenkel, Rupsa C. Boelig

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty Papers

Pregnancy is a time of high patient motivation to initiate treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD). Hepatic drug metabolism can be altered by pregnancy and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We aimed to examine the impact of HCV during pregnancy on methadone dosing. Retrospective chart review of all pregnant patients with OUD admitted for initiation of methadone from 1/2020-6/2022. Associations were examined using Student's T-tests, chi-squared tests, Fisher's exact tests and univariate and multivariate linear regression. We identified 191 pregnancies initiated on methadone, of which 188 were screened for HCV. 111 (59.0%) were HCV Antibody (Ab)+, of whom 108 were …

The Need For Targeted Prevention And Screening In Gastrointestinal Cancer Disparities, Jason C. Lin, John C. Lin, Joy Zhao

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

Plane Xanthoma, Connor A. Sheehan, Theresa N. Tran, Jason B. Lee, Jeffrey Y. Liu, Sylvia Hsu

Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

Association Of Estimated Plasma Volume Status With Invasive Hemodynamics And All-Cause Mortality In Patients With Liver Cirrhosis, Esteban Kosak Lopez, Phuuwadith Wattanachayakul, Jose Manuel Martinez Manzano, Andrew Geller, Simone Jarrett, John Malin, Raul Leguizamon, Tara John, Rasha Khan, Ian Mclaren, Alexander Prendergast, Kevin Lo, Zurab Azmaiparashvili

Einstein Health Papers

BACKGROUND: Estimated plasma volume status (ePVS) correlates with intravascular congestion and prognosis in patients with heart failure. The ePVS relationship with invasive hemodynamic profiling and clinical outcomes in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) remains unclear.

METHODS: This single-center retrospective cohort study included LC patients who underwent right heart catheterization (RHC) between 2018 and 2023. Estimated plasma volume status (ePVS) was calculated using the Strauss-derived Duarte formula, with patients classified into high (> 5.5%) and low-ePVS (≤ 5.5%) groups. Cox-multivariable analysis was used to determine if ePVS was associated with all-cause mortality within 1 year post-RHC among transplant-free patients.

RESULTS: Of …

Colorectal Cancer And The Risk Of Mortality Among Individuals With Suicidal Ideation, Srikanta Banerjee, Jagdish Khubchandani, Stanley Nkemjika

Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior Faculty Papers

Suicide is a major public health problem that has grown at alarming rates in the last two decades. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common causes of cancer deaths in the United States in both males and females. However, the influence of suicidal ideation (SI) on the association between CRC and risk of mortality has not been well examined.

METHODS: For this study, the 2005-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a nationally representative survey of United States adults aged 20 years or older, was utilized. CRC survivorship was determined from self-reported data on CRC, and mortality …

Parvovirus B19 Infection In Kidney Transplant Recipients, Hatem Najar, Kiran Goli, Maria P. Martinez Cantarin

Division of Nephrology Faculty Papers

On August 14, 2024, the Centers for Disease Control issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) health advisory due to a surge in Parvovirus B19 (B19V) infections in the United States. Our report presents two cases of suspected donor-derived Parvovirus B19 infection in kidney transplant patients. Both cases had refractory anemia requiring treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin. These cases highlight the importance of awareness and monitoring of B19V infection in the context of recent epidemiologic trends to improve clinical outcomes in kidney transplant recipients.

Clinical Implications Of Mismatch Repair Deficiency In Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma, Zachary Kaplan, Elizabeth Prezioso, Aditi Jain, Harish Lavu, Charles Yeo, Wilbur Bowne, Avinoam Nevler

Kimmel Cancer Center Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic cancer is a highly aggressive and lethal disease, characterized by a limited response to chemotherapy and overall poor prognosis. Pancreatic cancers with a distinct mismatch repair deficiency, although relatively rare, have been shown to be associated with markedly better outcomes in comparison. Furthermore, whereas pancreatic cancers are generally unresponsive to current immunotherapy, this specific group of tumors has been shown to have a notable susceptibility to immune checkpoint inhibitors.

AIMS: In this review, we aim to summarize the relevant literature regarding mismatch-repair associated pancreatic cancers, the impacted biological mechanisms, and the resulting vulnerabilities for potential opportunistic immunotherapeutic treatment …

A Case Of Turmeric-Induced Hepatotoxicity With Hyperferritinemia, Nina R. Spitofsky, Albert A. Huang, Aria Jalalian, Stefanie Gallagher, Scott Fink

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Introduction: We present the first published case of turmeric-associated drug-induced liver injury (DILI) accompanied by significant ferritin elevation. Case Presentation: Our patient, a 59-year-old female with DILI caused by long-term ingestion of oral turmeric supplements, presented with painless jaundice on an annual exam. The patient’s liver function tests exhibited a hepatocellular pattern and hyperferritinemia (>2,000 ng/dL). Additional testing was negative except for heterozygosity for the H63D allele associated with hemochromatosis. A liver biopsy indicated acute hepatitis without fibrosis or stainable iron. Conclusion: Upon discontinuation of the supplement, liver enzymes normalized within a month. This case highlights the potential for …

Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists Improve Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease Outcomes, Brandon Havranek, Rebecca Loh, Beatriz Torre, Rachel Redfield, Dina Halegoua-De Marzio

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the leading cause of chronic liver disease and is associated with significant cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This study aims to investigate the association of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists with major cardiovascular events, clinically significant portal hypertension events, and all-cause mortality in patients with MASLD. A large, population-based retrospective cohort study was conducted using the TriNetX platform, which provided real-time access to electronic health records of 634,265 adult patients with MASLD/MASH. Propensity score matching (PSM) was employed to create two cohorts: A GLP-1 agonists group and a control group without GLP-1 agonists usage. Hazard …

Efficacy Of Dietary Interventions For Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review And Network Meta-Analysis, Hossein Haghbin, Fariha Hasan, Manesh Kumar Gangwani, Nurruddinkhodja Zakirkhodjaev, Wade Lee-Smith, Azizullah Beran, Faisal Kamal, Benjamin Hart, Muhammad Aziz

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

Introduction: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that alters the quality of life of patients. A variety of dietary interventions have been introduced to address this debilitating condition. The low-FODMAP diet (LFD), gluten-free diet (GFD), and Mediterranean diet are examples showing efficacy. The aim of this network meta-analysis was to compare these interventions to find the best approach. Methods: We performed a systematic review of the available literature through 14 March 2024 in the following databases: Embase, PubMed, MEDLINE OVID, Web of Science, CINAHL Plus, and Cochrane Central. We only included randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We used a …

Defining Renal Recovery In Patients With Hepatorenal Syndrome-Acute Kidney Injury: Experience From North American Studies, Muhammad A. Mujtaba, Hussien Elsiesy, Sara Faiz, Syed A. Hussain, Ann Kathleen N. Gamilla-Crudo, Aftab Karim, Mohammad I. Khan, Muhammad W. Khattak, Zunaira Zafar, Michael Kueht, Khurram Jamil

Jefferson Health - Northeast Papers (formerly Aria Health Papers)

INTRODUCTION: The degree of improvement in serum creatinine (SCr) has previously been suggested as a sensitive indicator of treatment response in patients with hepatorenal syndrome-acute kidney injury (HRS-AKI), while HRS reversal remains the primary endpoint in clinical trials.

METHODS: A total of ≥ 30% SCr improvement was analyzed as an exploratory prespecified endpoint in the CONFIRM trial. In this post hoc analysis, intent-to-treat population data from three Phase 3 studies (OT-0401, REVERSE, and CONFIRM) conducted in North America in patients with HRS-AKI were pooled to assess the incidence of > 30% improvement in SCr and its association with clinical outcomes.

RESULTS: …

Assessing Influence Of Mismatch Repair Mutations On Survival In Patients After Resection Of Pancreatic Ductal And Periampullary Adenocarcinoma, Elizabeth Prezioso, Eleanor Mancheski, Kylee Shivok, Zachary Kaplan, Wilbur Bowne, Aditi Jain, Harish Lavu, Charles Yeo, Avinoam Nevler

Kimmel Cancer Center Faculty Papers

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Previous studies have indicated that microsatellite instability and deficient mismatch repair (MMR) may be associated with improved survival in patients with pancreatic cancer. Here, we aim to investigate the impact of deficient MMR (dMMR) status on oncologic outcomes in patients after resection of PDAC and periampullary adenocarcinoma. Methods: This is a single-institution, retrospective study based on a prospectively maintained database. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (N = 342) and periampullary adenocarcinoma patients (N = 76) who underwent pancreatic resection surgery between 2016 and 2021 were …

Cd8Α Structural Domains Enhance Gucy2c Car-T Cell Efficacy, Trevor R. Baybutt, Ariana A. Entezari, Adi Caspi, Ross E. Staudt, Robert D. Carlson, Scott A. Waldman, Adam E. Snook

Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology Faculty Papers

Despite success in treating some hematological malignancies, CAR-T cells have not yet produced similar outcomes in solid tumors due, in part, to the tumor microenvironment, poor persistence, and a paucity of suitable target antigens. Importantly, the impact of the CAR components on these challenges remains focused on the intracellular signaling and antigen-binding domains. In contrast, the flexible hinge and transmembrane domains have been commoditized and are the least studied components of the CAR. Here, we compared the hinge and transmembrane domains derived from either the CD8ɑ or CD28 molecule in identical GUCY2C-targeted third-generation designs for colorectal cancer. While these structural …