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  • Ajay Maker Lab
  • Research Focus
  • Biography
  • Meet Our Team
  • Publications
  • In the News
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Publications

Home/Ajay Maker Lab/Publications
Publicationstlowery12020-11-30T08:38:49-06:00

Publications

Link to Pubmed and Cancer Research articles by Dr. Ajay Maker MD

  • Drain Placement After Pancreatic Resection: Friend or Foe For Surgical Site Infections?
    by Tommaso Pollini on February 3, 2023 at 11:00 am

    CONCLUSIONS: Drain placement is associated with an increased rate of organ/space SSI after distal pancreatectomy and not after pancreaticoduodenectomy. When drains are utilized, early removal is associated with a reduction of SSI after all types of pancreatectomy. In surgical units where post-pancreatectomy SSI is a concern, selective drain placement for high-risk glands or after distal pancreatectomy, combined with early drain removal, may be considered.

  • Hypertension Requiring Medication Use: a Silent Predictor of Poor Outcomes After Pancreaticoduodenectomy
    by Jackie J Lin on January 9, 2023 at 11:00 am

    CONCLUSIONS: HTNm is independently associated with cardiovascular and renal complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy and may need to be considered in preoperative risk stratification. Future studies are necessary to explore associations among underlying hypertension, specific antihypertensive medications, and postoperative outcomes to investigate potential risk mitigation strategies.

  • Contemporary Trends in Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma: Incidence and Survival in the United States
    by Lucia Calthorpe on January 8, 2023 at 11:00 am

    Background: Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare disease with a historically poor prognosis. Given the emergence of effective therapies, a contemporary analysis of MPM incidence and survival is warranted. Methods: The SEER-18 registry dataset was analyzed (2000−2018). Age-adjusted annual incidence was stratified by sex and histology. Joinpoint regression was used to estimate annual percent change (APC) in incidence. Multivariable cox proportional hazards models were used to...

  • The Landmark Series: Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms of the Pancreas-From Prevalence to Early Cancer Detection
    by Tommaso Pollini on January 4, 2023 at 11:00 am

    Modern series report a prevalence of pancreatic cysts in the general population of up to 50% in prospective studies. Of these, about half will be pancreatic cystic neoplasms (PCNs) that have varying degrees of malignant potential. Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) of the pancreas are the most common PCNs and are known predecessors of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Critically, they are one of the only radiographically identifiable precursors of pancreatic cancer and thus provide an...

  • Minimally Invasive Distal Pancreatectomy Techniques: A Contemporary Analysis Exploring Trends, Similarities, and Differences to Open Surgery
    by Fernanda Romero-Hernandez on November 26, 2022 at 11:00 am

    Limited contemporary data has compared similarities and differences between total laparoscopic (LDP), hand-assisted (HALDP), and open distal pancreatectomy (ODP). This study aimed to examine similarities and differences in outcomes between these three approaches in a contemporary cohort. Methods: Patients undergoing elective LDP, HALDP, and ODP in the NSQIP dataset (2014−2019) were included. Descriptive statistics and multivariate regression analyses were employed to compare postoperative...

  • Hand-Assisted Versus Pure Minimally-Invasive Distal Pancreatectomy: Is There a Downside to Lending a Hand?
    by Phoebe N Miller on November 19, 2022 at 11:00 am

    CONCLUSIONS: Compared with LDP, HALDP was associated with increased likelihood of postoperative hernia with insufficient evidence that HALDP shortens operative times. Our results suggest that HALDP may not be equivalent to LDP.

  • The tumour immune microenvironment and microbiome of pancreatic intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms
    by Tommaso Pollini on September 3, 2022 at 10:00 am

    Pancreatic intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) have gained substantial attention because they represent one of the only radiographically identifiable precursors of invasive pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Although most of these neoplasms have low-grade dysplasia and will remain indolent, a subset of IPMNs will progress to invasive cancer. The role of the immune system in the progression of IPMNs is unclear, but understanding its role could reveal the mechanism of neoplastic...

  • Diagnostic laparoscopy is underutilized in the staging of gastric adenocarcinoma regardless of hospital type: An US safety net collaborative analysis
    by Aleeza J Leder Macek on June 14, 2022 at 10:00 am

    CONCLUSIONS: Results from DL are a strong predictor of OS in GA; however, the procedure is underutilized. Patients from racial minority groups were more likely to undergo DL, which likely accounts for higher DL rates among SNH patients.

  • Resident Readiness for Senior Level Decision Making: Identifying the Domains for Formative Assessment and Feedback
    by Keon Min Park on June 12, 2022 at 10:00 am

    CONCLUSIONS: National consensus on the domain of the ACS SRRA has been achieved via the modified Delphi method among expert surgeon educators. ACS SRRA will identify clinical topics and areas in which each senior resident needs improvement and provide data to residents and residency programs to develop individualized learning plans. This would help in preparing the senior residents to assume their responsibilities and support their readiness for future fellowship training or surgical practice.

  • Physical exam reveals etiology of liver and pancreatic tumors
    by Lyonell B Kone on June 6, 2022 at 10:00 am

    No abstract

  • Langer's arch: An anatomic variant complicating axillary node dissection
    by Alison S Baskin on March 9, 2022 at 11:00 am

    No abstract

  • Robotic Surgery for Biliary Tract Cancer
    by Lyonell B Kone on February 25, 2022 at 11:00 am

    Biliary tract cancer consists of cholangiocarcinoma (CC) and gallbladder cancer (GBC). When resectable, surgery provides the best chance at long-term survival. Unfortunately, surgery for these tumors is associated with long operative times, high morbidities, and prolonged hospital stays. Minimally invasive surgery has been shown to impact selected outcomes, including length of stay, in other diseases, and robotic surgery may offer additional advantages compared to laparoscopic surgery in...

  • LIGHT enhanced bispecific antibody armed T-cells to treat immunotherapy resistant colon cancer
    by Guilin Qiao on February 18, 2022 at 11:00 am

    Increased tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) are associated with improved patient responses to immunotherapy. As a result, there is interest in enhancing lymphocyte trafficking particularly to colon cancers since the majority are checkpoint blockade-resistant and microsatellite stable. Here, we demonstrate that activated T-cells (ATC) armed with anti-CD3 x anti-EGFR bispecific antibody increases TIL and mediate anti-tumor cytotoxicity while decreasing tumor cell viability. Furthermore,...

  • Verona Evidence-Based Meeting (EBM) 2020 on Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms (IPMNs) of the Pancreas: Meeting Report
    by Verona EBM 2020 on IPMN Consortium on September 13, 2021 at 10:00 am

    No abstract

  • Clinical Presentation Patterns and Survival Outcomes of Hispanic Patients With Gastric Cancer
    by Gerardo A Vitiello on September 1, 2021 at 10:00 am

    CONCLUSIONS: A diagnosis of gastric cancer must be considered in previously healthy Hispanic patients who present to the emergency room with both abdominal pain and weight loss. Fewer than 50% of Hispanic patients have a PCP, indicating poor outpatient support. Efforts to improve outpatient support and screening may improve gastric cancer outcomes in this vulnerable population.

  • Attrition during neoadjuvant chemotherapy for gastric adenocarcinoma is associated with decreased survival: A United States Safety-Net Collaborative analysis
    by Joshua P Kronenfeld on August 11, 2021 at 10:00 am

    CONCLUSION: Attrition during NAC for nonmetastatic GC is independently associated with worse OS, even in patients undergoing surgery. Attrition during NAC may reflect unfavorable tumor biology not captured by conventional staging metrics.

  • The Evolution of Cancer Immunotherapy
    by Meshaal Khan on July 2, 2021 at 10:00 am

    Immunotherapy has changed the environment of cancer treatment by providing new and efficacious therapy options for many solid and hematologic malignancies. Although not a new field of oncology, immunotherapy has quickly developed into one of the most flourishing fields in medicine. In this review article, we explore key discoveries which helped to shape our current understanding of the immune system's role in neoplasms. Many landmark developments include the advancements in checkpoint...

  • Is there a difference in utilization of a perioperative treatment approach for gastric cancer between safety net hospitals and tertiary referral centers?
    by Michael K Turgeon on June 1, 2021 at 10:00 am

    CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in utilization of a perioperative treatment strategy between facility types for patients with gastric cancer. Pathologic downstaging from NAC was similar across treatment facilities, suggesting similar quality and duration of therapy. Treatment at an SNH is not a barrier to receiving standard-of-care perioperative therapy for gastric cancer.

  • Combining On-Table Embolization with Immediate Resection to Safely Excise Giant Hepatic Hemangiomas
    by Ajay V Maker on February 26, 2021 at 11:00 am

    The management of symptomatic giant hepatic hemangiomas (> 10 cm) varies in the literature. Multiple interventional approaches have been described including surveillance, embolization, enucleation, and resection based on tumor size, location, relationship to vascular and biliary structures, and the quality and quantity of the functional liver remnant. Resection is often performed as a last resort due to the risk of major hemorrhage. Preoperative arterial embolization is an option; however, many...

  • Combination Immunotherapy With LIGHT and Interleukin-2 Increases CD8 Central Memory T-Cells In Vivo
    by Manuel F Fernandez on February 25, 2021 at 11:00 am

    CONCLUSIONS: Combination of IL-2, whether soluble or liposomal, with exposure to LIGHT results in increased CD8+ central memory cells in the spleen and periphery. New combination immunotherapy strategies that support both effector and memory T-cell functions are critical to enhancing durable antitumor responses and warrant further investigation.

  • Guidelines on Pancreatic Cystic Neoplasms: Major Inconsistencies With Available Evidence and Clinical Practice- Results From an International Survey
    by Giovanni Marchegiani on February 20, 2021 at 11:00 am

    No abstract

  • ASO Author Reflections: How Can We Improve the Postoperative Experience for Our Pancreatic Cancer Patients? A Practical Technique to Optimize Pain Control After Major Abdominal Surgery
    by Ajay V Maker on September 11, 2020 at 10:00 am

    No abstract

  • Surgeon-Placed Continuous Wound Infusion Pain Catheters Markedly Decrease Narcotic Use and Improve Outcomes After Pancreatic Tumor Resection
    by Lyonell B Kone on September 4, 2020 at 10:00 am

    CONCLUSIONS: After open pancreatic tumor resection, CWI is safe and associated with decreased opioid requirements and improved functional outcomes without a negative impact on pain scores, supporting its potential for preferred use over PCA or EA alone.

  • Perioperative Broad-spectrum Antibiotics are Associated With Decreased Surgical Site Infections Compared to 1st-3rd Generation Cephalosporins After Open Pancreaticoduodenectomy in Patients With Jaundice or a Biliary Stent
    by Lyonell B Kone on August 3, 2020 at 10:00 am

    CONCLUSION: Broad-abx are associated with decreased SSI after open PD and may be preferred specifically for patients with preoperative biliary stent and/ or jaundice.

  • Epidural Analgesia Is Associated with Prolonged Length of Stay After Open HPB Surgery in Over 27,000 Patients
    by Lyonell B Kone on July 30, 2020 at 10:00 am

    CONCLUSION: In this cohort of over 27,000 patients with granular surgical details, there was a significant increase in LOS associated with EA after HPB surgery, along with increased procedure-specific UTI and blood transfusion. With the ever-increasing need for standardized and efficient patient care pathways that reduce LOS, alternative analgesic adjuncts may be considered to optimize patient outcomes.

  • Should Drains Suck? A Propensity Score Analysis of Closed-Suction Versus Closed-Gravity Drainage After Pancreatectomy
    by Lyonell B Kone on May 13, 2020 at 10:00 am

    CONCLUSION: The majority of drains utilized after pancreatectomy in the USA are placed to suction, though a significant proportion are kept to gravity. Neither type of drain is associated with increased CR-POPF or other post-operative outcomes compared with the other; therefore, both types remain reasonable options if drains are to be placed.

  • Oncolytic adenovirus encoding LIGHT (TNFSF14) inhibits tumor growth via activating anti-tumor immune responses in 4T1 mouse mammary tumor model in immune competent syngeneic mice
    by Shiyun Dai on April 21, 2020 at 10:00 am

    LIGHT, also known as tumor-necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily member 14 (TNFSF14), is predominantly expressed on activated immune cells and some tumor cells. LIGHT is a pivotal regulator both for recruiting and activating immune cells in the tumor lesions. In this study, we armed human telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter controlled oncolytic adenovirus with LIGHT to generate rAd.Light. rAd.Light effectively transduced both human and mouse breast tumor cell lines in vitro, and...

  • Management of Cancer Surgery Cases During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Considerations
    by David L Bartlett on April 10, 2020 at 10:00 am

    No abstract

  • A propensity score analysis of over 12,000 pancreaticojejunal anastomoses after pancreaticoduodenectomy: does technique impact the clinically relevant fistula rate?
    by Lyonell B Kone on February 6, 2020 at 11:00 am

    CONCLUSION: DTM or IG technique are not associated with CR-POPF for patients with average size pancreatic ducts; however, DTM is preferable in patients with large pancreatic duct diameter (>6 mm).

  • Race and Gender Differences in Awareness of Colorectal Cancer Screening Tests and Guidelines Among Recently Diagnosed Colon Cancer Patients in an Urban Setting
    by Leslie R Carnahan on December 16, 2019 at 11:00 am

    The purpose of this study was to first characterize the prevalence of recall, recognition, and knowledge of colon cancer screening tests and guidelines (collectively, "awareness") among non-Hispanic black (NHB) and NH white (NHW) urban colon cancer patients. Second, we sought to examine whether awareness was associated with mode of cancer detection. Low awareness regarding colon cancer screening tests and guidelines may explain low screening rates and high prevalence of symptomatic detection. We...

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