Department of Medicine shares Research news for Summer 2021
A quarterly recap of distinguished grant awards and impactful publications from our DOM faculty throughout Summer 2021
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Hot Off the Press
The following articles written by our faculty have appeared in top-tier journals and publications — great work to all of our amazing authors!
“The Durability of EUS-Guided Chemoablation of Mucinous Pancreatic Cysts: A Long-Term Follow-Up of the CHARM trial”
Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Courtney Lester; Leonard Walsh, MD; Kayla Hartz, MD; Abraham Mathew, MD; John Levenick, MD; Brandy Headlee; Jennifer Maranki, MD; Charles Dye, MD; and Matthew Moyer, MD
Lester C, Walsh L, Hartz KM, Mathew A, Levenick J, Headlee B, Maranki J, Dye C, Moyer M, et al. The Durability of EUS-Guided Chemoablation of Mucinous Pancreatic Cysts: A Long-Term Follow-Up of the CHARM trial. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. Apr 2021;doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2021.03.041
“Penicillin allergy label increases risk of worse clinical outcomes in COVID-19”
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice
Lauren Kaminsky, MD; Shannon Dalessio; Taha Al-Shaikhly, MD; Rana Al-Sadi, MD
Kaminsky LW, Dalessio S, Al-Shaikhly T, Al-Sadi R. Penicillin allergy label increases risk of worse clinical outcomes in COVID-19. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. Jul 2021;doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2021.06.054
“Revisiting the Association Between Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Parkinson’s Disease”
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Matthew Coates, MD; Shannon Dalessio
Coates MD, Ba DM, Liu G, Dalessio S, Leslie DL, Huang X. Revisiting the Association Between Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Parkinson’s Disease. Inflamm Bowel Dis. Jul 2021;doi:10.1093/ibd/izab175
June
Moyer ED, Lehman EB, Bolton MD, Goldstein J, Pichardo-Lowden AR. Lack of recognition and documentation of stress hyperglycemia is a disruptor of optimal continuity of care. Sci Rep. Jun 2021;11(1):11476. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-89945-3
Syed N, Moyer MT. Endoscopic resection of large Paris 0-Ip pedunculated polyps: video demonstration of recent U.S. Multi-Society Task Force recommendations on resection and removal for general endoscopists. VideoGIE. Jun 2021. doi:10.1016/j.vgie.2021.04.012
Hartz K, Lee Roland, Walsh L, Moyer Matthew, et al. Endoscopic hemostatic spray for uncontrolled bleeding after complicated endoscopic mucosal resection or endoscopic submucosal dissection: a report of 2 cases. VideoGIE. Jun 2021. doi:10.1016/j.vgie.2021.05.010
Syed N, Desai M, Bethards D, Razeghi S, Clarke K. Redeploying gastroenterologists during the COVID-19 pandemic: early experience with telehealth including clinical access and financial implications. Gastroenterology Report. 2021;9(3):276-278. doi:10.1093/gastro/goab017
July
Clarke K. Targeted Tuberculosis Surveillance Testing in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Is That the Best Way Forward? Crohn’s & Colitis 360. 2021;3(3)doi:10.1093/crocol/otab027
Kadry Z, Stine JG, Dohi T, Kwon O, Riley T, Krok K, Schreibman I, Ghahramani N, et al. Renal Protective Effect of Everolimus in Liver Transplantation: A Prospective Randomized Open-Label Trial. Transplant Direct. Jul 2021;7(7):e709. doi:10.1097/TXD.0000000000001159
Funding Feats
Congratulations to these grant awardees — we are proud to have you as colleagues!
Click each tab to view new grant awards by month.
April
PI: Benjamin Vipler, MD
Division: General Internal Medicine
Project Title: Evaluation of an Innovative Public Speaking Curriculum
Sponsor: Naval Medical Center Portsmouth
PI: John Levenick, MD
Division: Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Project Title: Cold endoscopic resection of large colorectal polyps: A randomized trial (Cold snare EMR trial)
Prime Sponsor: Aries Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Sponsor: Veterans Education and Research Association of Northern New England, Inc.
Total Funding: $25,000
PI: Judie Ann Howrylak, MD
Division: Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine
Project Title: CFF Care Center – Adult Program
Sponsor: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Total Funding: $109,880
PI: Jed Gonzalo, MD
Division: General Internal Medicine
Project Title: Measuring Team Effectiveness for Students Training in Health System Science
Prime Sponsor: Kaiser Permanente
Sponsor: American Medical Association
Total Funding: $6,560
PI: Larry Sinoway, MD
Division: Cardiology
Project Title: I-Corps@NCATS Program
Prime Sponsor: National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
Sponsor: University of Alabama at Birmingham
Total Funding: $78,420
PI: Patrick Ma, MD
Division: Hematology and Oncology
Project Title: Phase II, Open-Label Safety and Efficacy Study of Drug A in Subjects with Previously Treated c-Met Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Sponsor: AbbVie Inc.
Total Funding: $112,284
Project Title: A Phase II Randomized, Multicenter, Double-Blind Study of the Drug X with Drug P and Chemotherapy Versus Placebo with Drug P and Chemotherapy in First-Line, Metastatic KEAP1/N
Sponsor: Calithera Biosciences, Inc.
Total Funding: $66,623
PI: Tim Craig, MD
Division: Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine
Project Title: A Multicenter, Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Arm Study to Investigate the Efficacy and Safety of Subcutaneous Administration of DRUG A in the …
Sponsor: CSL Behring
Total Funding: $98,519
Project Title: Systemic Allergic Reactions to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination
Prime Sponsor: National Institutes of Health
Sponsor: Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason
Total Funding: $585,150
PI: Ankit Maheshwari, MD
Division: Cardiology
Project Title: GUARD-AF: Reducing Stroke by Screening for Undiagnosed Atrial Fibrillation in Elderly Individuals
Sponsor: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Total Funding: $5,000
PI: David Claxton, MD
Division: Hematology/Oncology
Project Title: ECOG-ACRIN Operations Center
Prime Sponsor: National Institutes of Health
Sponsor: ECOG-ACRIN Medical Research Foundation, Inc.
Total Funding: $20,000
PI: Lauren Van Scoy, MD
Division: Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine
Project Title: Parker B. Francis Jo Rae Wright Award for Scientific Excellence
Sponsor: Parker B. Francis Foundation
Total Funding: $5,000
PI: Nicole Osevala, MD
Division: Geriatric Medicine
Project Title: POST-ACUTE & LONG-TERM CARE (PALTC) COVID-19 Regional Response Health Collaborative
Sponsor: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: Department of Human Services
Total Funding: $23,106,922
PI: John Boehmer, MD
Division: Cardiology
Project Title: A Prospective, Multi-Center, Randomized, Controlled, Single Blind Clinical Trial Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of the XXXX in New York Heart Association Class III Heart F
Sponsor: Endotronix, Inc.
Total Funding: $367,300
May
PI: Peter Cygan, MD
Division: Hematology and Oncology
Project Title: Von Willebrand Factor in Pregnancy (VIP) Study: A Multicenter Study of Wilate Use in von Willebrand Disease for Childbirth
Sponsor: Bloodworks Northwest
Total Funding: $26,600
PI: Joe Drabick, MD
Division: Hematology and Oncology
Project Title: A Phase III, Randomized, Open-label Study to Compare Adjuvant Immunotherapy of Drug B Combined with Drug N Versus Drug N After Complete Resection of Melanoma in Patients at Hi
Sponsor: Nektar Therapeutics
Total Funding: $165,812
PI: Kebin Hu, MD
Division: Nephrology
Project Title: Novel Roles of Annexin A2 in Chronic Kidney Disease
Sponsor: PA Tobacco Settlement Fund (TSF)
Total Funding: $60,000
PI: Mitchell Machtay, MD
Division: Hematology and Oncology
Project Title: Randomized Phase II/III Trial of Adjuvant Radiation Therapy with Drug C, Drug D-Drug B, or Drug C-Drug A in Pathologic High-Risk Squamous Cell Cancer of the Head and Neck
Sponsor: NRG Oncology
Total Funding: $2,905
PI: Leslie Parent, MD
Division: Infectious Diseases
Project Title: Role of biomolecular condensates in regulating HIV-1 viral ribonucleoprotein complex formation in the setting of substance use disorder
Sponsor: National Institute on Drug Abuse
Total Funding: $360,238
PI: Chris Sciamanna, MD
Division: General Internal Medicine
Project Title: Impact of PlayFit on Physical Activity Adherence and Health Outcomes in Populations at Risk
Sponsor: PA Tobacco Settlement Fund (TSF)
Total Funding: $180,000
PI: Monali Vasekar, MD
Division: Hematology and Oncology
Project Title: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Phase III Trial of Drug P/Drug T/Drug B with Drug A or Placebo in First-Line HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer
Sponsor: NRG Oncology
Total Funding: $13,700
June
PI: Susan Hafenstein, MD
Division: Hematology/Oncology
Project Title: Structural Controls of Functional Receptor and Antibody Binding to Viral Capsids
Prime Sponsor: National Institutes of Health
Sponsor: Cornell University
Total Funding: $902,537
PI: Hong Zheng, MD
Division: Hematology and Oncology
Project Title: DOT1L, reconstitution of plasmacytoid dendritic cells and alloimmunity
Prime Sponsor: National Institutes of Health
Sponsor: Temple University
Total Funding: $588,045
PI: John Gorcsan, MD
Division: Cardiology
Project Title: Stimulation of the Left Ventricular Endocardium for Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in Non-Responders, Previously Untreatable and High-Risk Upgrade Patients
Sponsor: EBR Systems, Inc
Total Funding: $270,904
Project Title: Reducing Lung Congestion Symptoms Using the V-WAVE Shunt in Advanced Heart Failure
Sponsor: V-Wave Ltd
Total Funding: $642,529
PI: Karen Krok, MD
Division: Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Project Title: A Double-blind Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study and Open-label Long Term Extension to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Drug X mg in Patients with Primary Biliary Cholan
Sponsor: GENFIT S.A.
Total Funding: $115,325
PI: Joe Drabick, MD
Division: Hematology and Oncology
Project Title: An Open-Label, Multicenter, Phase I/II Study of Drug X as a Single Agent and in Combination with Drug Y Blockade in Patients with Solid Tumors
Sponsor: Replimune Inc.
Total Funding: $225,058
PI: Cristina Truica, MD
Division: Hematology and Oncology
Project Title: A Randomized, Multicenter, Double-blind Phase III Study of Drug S Plus Palbociclib Versus Letrozole Plus Palbociclib for the Treatment of Patients With ER ( ), HER2 (-) Breast
Sponsor: Sanofi US Services, Inc.
Total Funding: $348,545
Project Title: A Phase II, Single Arm, Non-randomized Study of Drug A in Combination with Continued Endocrine Therapy Following Progression on Endocrine Therapy in Hormone Receptor Positive…
Prime Sponsor: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.
Sponsor: Hoosier Cancer Research Network
Total Funding: $27,224
PI: Ian Gilchrist, MD
Division: Cardiology
Project Title: Open-Label, Sequential-Dose Escalation/De-escalation Trial Testing XXXXX in Patients Undergoing PCI Due to Acute Coronary Syndrome with NSTEMI
Sponsor: Shaanxi Micot Technology Co. Ltd
Total Funding: $56,567
PI: Jonathan Stine, MD
Division: Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Project Title: Mobile Health Delivered Lifestyle Intervention Program in Patients with Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis: A Proof of Concept Study
Sponsor: Noom, Inc.
Total Funding: $6,000
PI: Nancy Olsen, MD
Division: Rheumatology
Project Title: A Phase 2 Dose Ranging Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of X in Subjects With Active Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) With Inadequate Response to Standard of Care
Sponsor: Amgen
Total Funding: $66,609
PI: Catharine Paules, MD
Division: Infectious Diseases
Project Title: A Multicenter Platform Evaluating Putative Therapeutics for the Treatment of COVID-19 in Hospitalized Adults
Prime Sponsor: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Sponsor: Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc.
Total Funding: $41,500
PI: Patrick Ma, MD
Division: Hematology and Oncology
Project Title: A Phase III Study of Drug M in Combination with Concurrent Chemoradiation Therapy Followed by Drug P with or without Drug O, Compared to Concurrent Chemoradiation Therapy Foll…
Sponsor: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
Total Funding: $366,867
July
PI: Catharine Paules, MD
Division: Infectious Diseases
Project Title: A Multicenter Platform Evaluating Putative Therapeutics for the Treatment of COVID-19 in Hospitalized Adults
Prime Sponsor: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Sponsor: Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc.
Total Funding: $41,500
PI: Patrick Ma, MD
Division: Hematology and Oncology
Project Title: A Phase III Study of Drug M in Combination with Concurrent Chemoradiation Therapy Followed by Drug P with or without Drug O, Compared to Concurrent Chemoradiation Therapy…
Sponsor: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
Total Funding: $366,867
Project Title: A Phase II Adjuvant Treatment With Drug C-based Chemotherapy Plus Concomitant Drug A in Patients With Stage I , IIA, IIB, and Select IIIA Resected Non-small Cell Lung Cancer…
Prime Sponsor: Genentech, Inc.
Sponsor: Hoosier Cancer Research Network
Total Funding: $31,121
PI: M. Elaine Eyster, MD
Division: Hematology and Oncology
Project Title: Regional Hemophilia Diagnostic and Treatment Centers (HRSA/MCHB)
Prime Sponsor: Health Resources and Services Administration
Sponsor: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Total Funding: $289,055
PI: Sarah Hussain, MD
Division: Cardiology
Project Title: XXXXXX Sensing Ablation System US IDE for Atrial Flutter
Sponsor: Acutus Medical, Inc.
Total Funding: $35,575
PI: Monika Joshi, MD
Division: Hematology and Oncology
Project Title: Biomarker-Based Decision Support Tools for Treatment Response of Bladder Cancer
Prime Sponsor: National Institutes of Health
Sponsor: University of Michigan
Total Funding: $103,906
PI: Joe Drabick, MD
Division: Hematology and Oncology
Project Title: A Phase II Study of Biomarker Driven Early Discontinuation of Anti-PD-1 Therapy in Patients with Advanced Melanoma
Sponsor: ECOG-ACRIN Medical Research Foundation, Inc.
Total Funding: $3,383
August
PI: John Boehmer, MD
Division: Cardiology
Project Title: Reducing Lung Congestion Symptoms Using the XXXX Shunt in Advanced Heart Failure
Sponsor: V-Wave Ltd
Total Funding: $183,868
Project Title: Benefit of XXXXX in Ambulatory Decompensated Heart Failure
Sponsor: Zoll Services, LLC
Total Funding: $64,924
PI: Sarah Hussain, MD
Division: Cardiology
Project Title: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Investigator and Participant Blinded Study to Evaluate the Efficacy, Safety, Tolerability and Pharmacokinetics of XXXX in Participants with …
Sponsor: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp. [MP]
Total Funding: $63,525
PI: Mitchell Machtay, MD
Project Title: A Randomized Phase II Study of Drug A Plus Stereotactic Re-irradiation Versus SBRT Alone for Locoregionally Recurrent or Second Primary Head and Neck Carcinoma
Prime Sponsor: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. [MP]
Sponsor: RTOG Foundation, Inc.
Total Funding: $17,000
PI: Karen Krok, MD
Division: Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Project Title: Novel Mechanisms of Hepatopulmonary Syndrome
Prime Sponsor: National Institutes of Health
Sponsor: University of Pennsylvania
Total Funding: $142,996
Getting to Know Our Faculty Researchers
Timothy Craig, MD
Dr. Timothy Craig
Dr. Tim Craig brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the College of Medicine. He received his medical degree at the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, completed an Internal Medicine residency at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego, and also served as an Allergy and Immunology fellow at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. He leads the Allergy section of the Department of Medicine’s Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine and is also a Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics.
Over the course of the past two decades, Dr. Craig has become a leader in the field of Allergy and Immunology. He has written guidelines for international management of urticaria, hereditary angioedema and rhinitis, and he also has more than 300 publications and around 400 invited lectures. His areas of research focus include asthma, COPD, immunodeficiency and vaccine response.
Dr. Craig and his research team, with funding from the NIH as noted above, are participating in an ongoing national clinical trial evaluating whether people who have previously experienced severe allergic reactions are at an increased risk for an immediate, systemic allergic reaction to the Moderna or Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines. HMC is the only hospital in Pennsylvania participating in the study. Learn more about the clinical trial here.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Craig on his recent grant awards!
Research Reminders, News and Updates
March: Christine Quimby
“For showing incredible patience, understanding and creative thinking to keep the needs of HIV patients at the forefront of decisions that will impact how they are served, despite challenging funding guidelines. She is a valuable team player!”
April: Erica Francis
“For being an awesome leader and a great team player. She juggles a lot and does it with grace, intelligence, and kindness, and is always a pleasure to interact with.”
May: Lisa Schultz
“For working non-stop during COVID on improving processes, obtaining patient research consent forms electronically, and collaborating with nurses to retrieve study samples, refer patients and better understand the research. She even helps lost patients and visitors find their way on campus. She never gives up, is committed to her work, and is always a nurse at heart!”
June: Kristina Richwine
“For making an important NIAID grant a success. She is fully on board, dedicated and caring. These attributes are keeping the study moving along. Thank you, Kristina!”
July: Donna Griffiths
“For being a highly organized, pro-active, research project manager with a can-do attitude and strong team building skills. She has maintain idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis clinical trials during the pandemic, and her passion for helping COVID patients was shown through tireless work to ensure the ACTT1-4 trial’s success.”
[Photo not available]
August: Gavin Luzier
“For showing initiative to diagnose and address emerging research issues, is always on task, and has played a critical role in launching multiple time-sensitive research projects in the short time he has been with our team. Gavin is an example of what a Research Coordinator should strive to be.”
Dr. Thomas Ma, professor and chair of the Department of Medicine at Penn State College of Medicine, leads a research team exploring how a probiotic may be used to treat intestinal inflammation disorders like inflammatory bowel disease.
Dr. Thomas Ma and his research team were highlighted in College of Medicine and Penn State Health communications and on social media channels in June for leading a study that suggests a type of probiotic shows promise for treating IBD and other intestinal inflammation disorders!
A study by Penn State College of Medicine researchers suggests that a type of probiotic called Lactobacillus acidophilus found in various brands of yogurt may help with treating certain intestinal inflammation disorders.
Dr. Thomas Ma, professor and chair of the Department of Medicine at the College of Medicine and Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, led a team that examined more than 20 probiotic bacteria to determine their ability to increase intestinal barrier function, which protects against harmful biological agents that cause diseases like inflammatory bowel disease.
“Our data indicate that LA1, a specific strain of L. acidophilus, could be used in a wide variety of intestinal permeability disorders,” said Ma. He is in the process of getting approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to conduct a clinical trial.
Dr. Monika Joshi
Dr. Monika Joshi was featured as the June 2021 Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium member of the month! Dr. Joshi was named in January as the Chief Scientific Officer for the Big Ten CRC. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition, Dr. Joshi! Learn more about Dr. Joshi and her work with the Big Ten CRC here and read her feature on the Big Ten CRC website here.
Dr. Patrick Ma
Dr. Patrick Ma has been appointed to represent the Cancer Institute on the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium Steering Committee! Committee members meet regularly to review activities of the consortium, decide matters of policy and determine criteria for approving concepts for development with the consortium. Read more here. Congratulations, Dr. Ma!
Dr. Philippe Haouzi
Dr. Philippe Haouzi was a guest in June on the “Journal of Neurophysiology Podcast” and spoke with the editor of the Journal of Neurophysiology about a recent paper on opioid overdose! Editor-in-Chief Nino Ramirez discussed the paper titled “Respiratory effects of low and high doses of fentanyl in control and β-arrestin 2 deficient mice.” The paper attracted the attention of the journal and its editorial board, as it presents a new way to analyze and understand how the respiratory control system, in mammals, deals with opioid-induced fatal breathing depression. Click here to listen to the podcast! The research paper can be found at this link. Great job, Dr. Haouzi!
Andrea Murray
The national Partnering for Vaccine Equity organization, funded by the CDC, featured our very own Andrea Murray on their website in August as their member spotlight! Andrea does an amazing job leading our Penn State REACH award and supplemental project focused on COVID-19 vaccination for our underserved populations. Thank you, Andrea, for all of your incredible work for our Hispanic and Latino communities! We are so grateful to have you on our team!
Pre-Award Services
- Identification of internal and external funding opportunities
- Preparation and submission of proposals
- Preparation of proposal budgets
- Preparation and submission of subaward/subcontract request forms
- Oversight and guidance on progress report submissions
Pre-Award Contacts
- Erica Carpenter, ecarpenter@pennstatehealth.psu.edu
- Rhonda Shaffer, rshaffer1@pennstatehealth.psu.edu
Post-Award Services
- Financial management of internal and external awards
- Financial management of gifts, endowments, startup, and other University funds
- Guidance on procurement processes
- Reporting of budgets and expenses
- Preparation of final expense reports to sponsors
Post-Award Contacts
- Beth Conner, econner@pennstatehealth.psu.edu
- Rachael Van Eijsden, rroberts4@pennstatehealth.psu.edu
- Debbie Musser, dmusser@pennstatehealth.psu.edu
Have a research question? All research faculty and staff are welcome to drop in during our Zoom office hours.
Thursdays 10-11 a.m.
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Contact the Newsletter Team
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