SCIENTIFIC REPORT 2004 - Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center

C L I N I C A L O N C O L O G Y R E S E A R C H P R O G R A M
LEONIDAS G. KONIARIS, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Associate Professor of Surgery
DESCRIPTION OF RESEARCH
Dr. Koniaris’ research concentrates on the
mechanism of growth control and deregulation
in vivo in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and
breast. In particular, he has focused on the role of
two secreted factors—interleukin-6 (IL-6) and
macrophage inflammatory cytokine-1 (MIC-1).
IL-6 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine essential
in normal liver homeostasis. Investigators in the
laboratory have recently demonstrated that IL
functions as a growth factor for hepatocytes
through an apparent direct mechanism that does
not involve activation of cMET or epidermal
growth factor (EGF). Subsequent work has demonstrated
that this mitogenic response is associated
with profound anti-apoptotic activity. Other
work from the laboratory has examined how the
IL-6 response affects insulin signaling and contributes
to the hepatocellular dysfunction seen in
chronic liver disease. In addition, they are examining
the effects of IL-6 on hepatocellular carcinoma
with collaborators at the University of
North Carolina.
MIC-1 is a divergent member of the transforming
growth factor-beta (TGF-β) superfamily
of growth and differentiation factors. MIC-1
strongly has been implicated in the pathogenesis
of both colorectal and prostate cancers and may
have a potent anti-tumor function. The laboratory
has examined the expression of MIC-1 and
found it to be an immediate early response to a
variety of organ injuries and exposures to carcinogens.
They have generated MIC-1 null mice and
are examining their propensity to the development
of liver, colorectal, breast, and prostate
cancers.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
2002
Barreiro, CJ, Lillemoe, KD, Koniaris, LG, Sohn,
TA, Yeo, CJ, Coleman, J, Fishman, EK, and
Cameron, JL. Diagnostic laparoscopy for
periampullary and pancreatic cancer: what is the
true benefit? Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery
6:75-81, 2002.
Kovach, SJ, Hendrickson, RJ, Cappadona, CR,
Schmidt, CM, Groen, K, Koniaris, LG, and
Sitzmann, JV. Cryoablation of unresectable pancreatic
cancer. Surgery 131:463-64, 2002.
Sayeed, S, Koniaris, LG , and Papadakos, PJ. Image
of the month. Acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Archives of Surgery 137:491-92, 2002.
Abt, PL, Halaby, I, Schoeniger, LO, and
Koniaris, LG. Intrahepatic gas. Journal of the
American College of Surgeons 195:129, 2002.
Cirillo, RL Jr. and Koniaris, LG. Detecting blunt
pancreatic injuries. Journal of Gastrointestinal
Surgery 6:587-98, 2002.
Hendrickson, RJ, Koniaris, LG, Kovach, SJ, and
Johnson, JA. Gamma probe-confirmed
laparoscopic accessory splenectomy. Surgical Endoscopy
16:1364, 2002.
Hendrickson, RJ, Koniaris, LG, Schoeniger, LO,
Strang, J, Killackey, MA, and Peacock, JL. Small
bowel obstruction due to a paracolonic retroperitoneal
hernia. American Journal of Surgery
68:756-58, 2002.
Sayeed, S, Koniaris, LG , Kovach, SJ, and
Hirokawa, T. Torsion of a wandering spleen. Surgery
132:535-36, 2002.
Ognibene. SJ, Koniaris. LG, Pegoli, W Jr., and
Drugas, GT. Intraoperative colonic lavage in a
premature infant: a case report. Journal of Pediatric
Surgery 37:1645-47, 2002.
UM/Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center Scientific Report 2004 39