Baylor Scott & White Research Institute scientists presented breakthrough findings at this year's Digestive Disease Week® (DDW). DDW is the world's largest and most prestigious gathering of physicians, researchers and academics in the fields of gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy and gastrointestinal surgery.
The annual conference, which took place May 21-24 in San Diego, Calif., offered four different learning tracks that span the digestive diseases spectrum. Baylor Scott & White Research Institute had a strong showing that included researchers based at Baylor University Medical Center, Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center – Fort Worth, and Scott & White Memorial Hospital – Temple. The researchers were invited to speak about new developments in the areas of gastroenterology, hepatology and islet cell transplantation and showcased notable advances in these areas.
Among the many highlights Baylor Scott & White researchers presented at this year's DDW:
Novel Findings in Detection and Prognoses in Colorectal Cancers, Chemoresistance in Colorectal and Pancreatic Cancer
"Our team was excited to share our findings in new frontiers of cancer research, such as circular RNAs," said Ajay Goel, PhD, director of the Center for Epigenetics, Cancer Prevention, and Cancer Genomics at Baylor Scott & White Research Institute. "Technological advances are allowing us to study biomarkers, chemoresistance, and prevention with greater accuracy. Our efforts are focused on making progress to understand, treat and prevent colorectal cancer, which is expected to take nearly 50,000 lives in 2016." Dr. Goel's team performs studies through the Center for Gastrointestinal Research at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas.
The team presented first research of its kind to provide evidence of the role of colorectal cancer stem cells in chemoresistance and a microRNA network that could be used to overcome it.
Dr. Goel's team also presented information on a novel class of oncogenes and circular RNAs. The findings serve as a useful prognostic biomarker for colorectal cancer, the third most common type of cancer in the United States. This research was presented in a plenary session, which is one of the most distinguished research sessions at DDW.
In addition, researchers highlighted the positive effects of curcumin, a substance found in turmeric, on chemoresistant pancreatic cancer, as well as results of a study to determine who might benefit from aspirin's colorectal cancer-preventing properties.
Shusuke Toden, PhD; Wenhao Weng, PhD; Timothy Zumwalt, PhD; Kazuhiro Yoshida, MD; Jinsei Miyoshi, MD; and Kunitoshi Shigeyasu MD, PhD were the post-doctorate fellows with Baylor Scott & White Research Institute in Dallas who presented their findings at the conference.
For more information about gastrointestinal cancer research at Baylor Scott & White, visit http://www.baylorhealth.edu/Research/BSWRI/Dallas/InstitutesCenters/GICancerResearch/Pages/default.aspx.
Advancing Knowledge of Fibrosis, Fatty Liver Disease, and Hepatitis C
Researchers at Baylor Scott & White's Digestive Disease Research Center in Temple, Texas, presented new findings on how to deactivate stellate cells to reduce fibrosis. This concept is the first of its kind to be presented at DDW and was one of a few to be awarded a Poster of Distinction.
Researchers also advanced knowledge in the area of fatty liver disease, a growing epidemic due to soaring obesity rates. They presented findings from a study that provided a better understanding of the signaling pathways involved in regulating food consumption that might potentially prevent fatty liver damage.
Additionally, the group's research shed light on mechanisms for stem cells to communicate during liver injury. These findings have therapeutic potentials in cholestatic liver injury and fibrosis.
"Our research group has multiple interests, but the overall goal of our program is to examine and potentially identify targets to better diagnose and treat patients suffering from liver diseases including cholestatic injury/fibrosis, alcoholic injury, hepatic encephalopathy, fatty liver disease, and liver cancer," said Gianfranco D. Alpini, PhD, director of Baylor Scott & White's Digestive Disease Research Center in Temple, Texas. "Each member has a specific area of expertise and the group also works in coordination to share finding and resources."
Heather Francis, PhD; Kelly McDaniel, M.S.; Konstantina Kyritsi, MD; Lindsey Kennedy, BS; Laura Hargrove, MS; and Fanyin Meng, MD, PhD, were the researchers with Baylor Scott & White's Digestive Disease Research Center in Temple who presented their findings at the conference.
For more information on research from Baylor Scott & White's Digestive Disease Research Center in Temple, visit http://researchers.sw.org/digestive-disease-research-center/digestive-disease-research-center.
With the advent of extremely successful therapies for hepatitis C, researchers with Baylor Scott & White Research Institute presented data on patients with hepatitis C that have been historically more difficult to treat. The effectiveness of hepatitis C combination antivirals was showcased, with one team achieving a 100 percent cure rate in patients.
Apurva Modi, MD, a hepatologist on the medical staff at Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center – Fort Worth, presented findings at the conference.
For more information on research for liver and other digestive diseases at Baylor Scott & White, http://www.baylorhealth.com/AdvancingMedicine/AreasOfResearch/Digestive/Pages/Default.aspx.
New Biomarkers Identified that Predict Success in Islet Cell Transplantation
Researchers with Baylor Annette C. and Harold C. Simmons Transplant Institute identified microRNA biomarkers that could predict successful outcomes for patients undergoing total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TPIAT), a curative treatment option for patients who suffer from chronic pain associated with pancreatitis. Their research determined that TPIAT is an effective way to relieve chronic pain and can prevent, or better manage, diabetes in patients who had their pancreas removed.
Baylor Scott & White was the first medical center in Texas to perform FDA-approved processing of pancreatic islet cells for transplantation, a procedure available at only a handful of medical centers in the world.
"Baylor's islet team has recently reported that inflammation is a major cause for islet damage in TPIAT, and Baylor is using a unique anti-inflammatory treatment to improve the islet function in these patients," said Bashoo Naziruddin, PhD, director of Baylor Scott & White's Islet Cell Laboratory.
Gumpei Yoshimatsu, MD, PhD, a post-doctorate fellow at Baylor Annette C. and Harold C. Simmons Transplant Institute in Dallas presented the findings at DDW. He also was chosen by the AGA Institute Council and the CP, NGM and PAN Sections as one of the young investigator winners of AGA's Poster Judging Competition.
For more information about islet autotransplantation at Baylor Scott & White, visit http://www.baylorhealth.com/SpecialtiesServices/transplantservices/transplantsperformed/isletcelltransplant/Pages/Default.aspx.
Renowned Gastroenterologist Honored for Outstanding Academic Career
C. Richard Boland, MD, AGAF, former chief of gastroenterology at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas, received the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Julius Friedenwald Medal for his distinguished career in gastroenterology during DDW. He currently serves as medical director of epigenetics and cancer prevention at Baylor Scott & White Research Institute. The award was established in 1941 to recognize an individual who has contributed significantly to AGA and has made lifelong contributions to the field of gastroenterology. This is the highest honor bestowed upon an AGA member.
For more information about Dr. Boland's honor HERE.
Physicians provide clinical services as members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Scott & White Health's subsidiary, community or affiliated medical centers and do not provide clinical services as employees or agents of those medical centers, Baylor Health Care System, Scott & White Healthcare or Baylor Scott & White Health. ©2015 Baylor Scott & White Health.
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As the largest not-for-profit health system in the state of Texas, Baylor Scott & White promotes the health and well-being of every individual, family and community it serves. It is committed to making quality care more accessible, convenient and affordable through its integrated delivery network, which includes the Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, the Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance and its leading digital health platform – MyBSWHealth. Through 51 hospitals and more than 1,200 access points, including flagship academic medical centers in Dallas, Fort Worth and Temple, the system offers the full continuum of care, from primary to award-winning specialty care. Founded as a Christian ministry of healing more than a century ago, Baylor Scott & White today serves more than three million Texans. For more information, visit: BSWHealth.com
