Gastroenterology


Clinical Research

Excellence in biomedical research constitutes the principal emphasis and effort of the Section of Gastroenterology at Boston University School of Medicine, which continues to gain prominence in both basic and clinical research arenas. The research emphasis includes epithelial cell biology, gastrointestinal carcinogenesis, and obesity and other metabolic disorders. With regard to clinically oriented research, Dr. Paul Schroy has attained significant notoriety and prominence on the national and international levels as a leading investigator in developing colorectal cancer screening strategies. He is also investigating the use of other modalities for the detection of colorectal cancer, including virtual colonoscopy and stool-based DNA testing modalities. Dr. Brian Jacobson successfully procured a KO8 grant from the NIH to investigate the natural history of Barrett's esophagus in women in the Nurse's Health Study. Dr. Jacobson, along with Dr. Schroy have thus formed the nucleus for the future development of health services research in the Section of Gastroenterology.

In addition to Drs. Schroy and Jacobson, Dr. David Nunes has continued his active collaboration with the Section of Infectious Diseases at Boston University as a Co-Investigator of an NIH grant that evaluates interactions in individuals co-infected with hepatitis C and HIV. He has also continued to obtain funding from industry to evaluate various treatment modalities for hepatitis C and other hepatitidies. Along with Dr. Robert Lowe, these studies constitute a very important sector of the clinical research being performed in the Section of Gastroenterology. Dr. Francis Farraye, in collaboration with investigators at the Brigham and Women's Hospital, is studying the significance of adenomas found in patients with ulcerative colitis, management and diagnosis of dysplasia and cancer in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, and predictors of pouchitis after ileal pouch anal anastomosis. Additionally, he is a co-investigator with Dr. Michael O'Brien in the Department of Pathology examining the role of hyperplastic polyps as precursors to colon cancer. Dr. Albena Halpert is involved in the examination of various strategies for the management of functional bowel disorders. Dr. Daniel Mishkin acquired extensive experience in a new modality, capsule endoscopy, and he has been working closely with its manufacturer in the development of new applications for this exciting new technology. Finally, Dr. Christopher Huang has initiated a collaborative effort with Dr. Richard Rothstein, Chief of the Division of Gastroenterology at Dartmouth University College of Medicine to develop and evaluate new endoscopic modalities for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Dr. Marcos Pedrosa, Director of Endoscopy at the Boston VA Medical Center, is continuing his studies investigating surveillance strategies, as well as treatment of, Barrett's esophagus. Like Drs. Nunes and Lowe, he is engaged in hepatitis C protocols, utilizing various agents to treat this very common disorder. He was also actively involved in studies that include other investigators throughout the United States in the use of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for the ablation of high-grade dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus. Finally, he has been an active participant in VA cooperative studies evaluating the use of colchicines and other agents in the treatment of alcoholic liver disease. Along with Dr. M. Michael Wolfe, Chief of the Section of Gastroenterology, Dr. Jaime Oviedo has initiated a collaboration with Dr. Thomas Van Dyke of the Boston University School of Dentistry to evaluate the prevalence of periodontal disease in patients with GERD, as well as the effects of potent antisecretory therapy with proton pump inhibitors on the microbiological milieu of the oral cavity. Finally, Dr. Francis Farraye, Director of Clinical Services for the Section, has continued his clinical studies in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases.

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