Current Research & Innovations

Colorectal

• A study of the peri-operative use of Cetuximab in colon cancer patients. —To determine the safety of giving Cetuximab before and after colon cancer surgery. (Richard Whelan, MD)
• Analysis of mismatch repair proteins in young patients with colorectal cancer —Genetic analysis of young patients with colorectal cancer will be compared with the same analysis done in older patients with colorectal cancer to determine what differences exist and how age and family history affect patients developing colorectal cancer. (Daniel Feingold, MD)
• Does In vitro Chemoresistance assessment predict clinical response to chemotherapy in patients with colorectal cancer? —The purpose of the study is to determine if chemoresistance analysis predicts patient response rates to chemotherapy in the setting of colorectal cancer. (Richard Whelan, MD)
• Feasibility and short term safety of laparoscopic colectomy without mechanical bowel preparation. —To demonstrate that elective laparoscopic colorectal surgery resections can be performed safely without mechanical bowel preparation. (Tracey Arnell, MD)
• Prospective, randomized trial comparing colonic distention after intra-operative sigmoidoscopy using ambient air or carbon dioxide. —The purpose of the study is to determine whether or not intra-operative sigmoidoscopy using carbon dioxide gas is associated with a more rapid return to baseline, in regards to the diameter of the colon compared to using air. (Richard Whelan, MD)
• Randomized, controlled trial comparing ambient air to carbon dioxide during colonoscopy. —Conventional colonoscopy uses ambient air to insufflate the colon in order to advance the endoscope through the bowel lumen and to adequately visualize the mucosa. The air causes abdominal distension and discomfort that can be lasting and severe. Carbon dioxide can be used for insufflation and is readily and safely absorbed across the mucosa. The purpose of the study is to demonstrate whether or not carbon dioxide insufflation results in quicker resolution of abdominal distension and less patient discomfort. (Richard Whelan, MD)
• Study of circulating growth in healthy control subjects. —Analysis of blood from healthy control subjects to compare to patients with colorectal cancer. (Richard Whelan, MD)
• Study of tumor growth promoting factors after minimally invasive vs. open surgery as evaluated by levels of circulating growth factors, their binding proteins and receptor. —The principle purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of open and minimally invasive surgery on the expression of growth factors and their binding proteins in serum, their mRNA expression in PBMC and their receptor expression in tumor tissue. The study will also evaluate the ability of these alterations to support tumor growth. (Richard Whelan, MD)
• The effect of mechanical bowel preparation on circulating angiogenic factors. —The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of mechanical bowel preparation on the expression of growth factors and serum binding proteins. (Richard Whelan, MD)
• The influence of negative pressure wound therapy on local and systemic angiogenic factors. —The principle purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy on angiogenic proteins such as angiopoetin 1 and 2, sVEGFR1, sVEGFR2, in the setting of an open abdominal wound in patients after colorectal surgery. (Richard Whelan, MD)