Established through a generous contribution from the Robert Saligman Charitable Foundation in 2017, the Department of Surgery Pilot Grant Program provides essential funding for faculty members, residents and fellows to pursue independent research. Four projects have received funding for 2025 (see sidebar), and past projects continue to drive innovations in treatment and care.
Exploring novel energy targeting approach for bile duct cancer
A project led by Avinoam Nevler, MD, (funded in 2022) is exploring a promising approach to treating bile duct cancer. While traditional chemotherapies cause DNA damage, Dr. Nevler’s research focuses on disrupting the metabolism of cancer cells.
“For seven decades, chemotherapies have focused on causing breaks and errors in the DNA. When there’s enough DNA damage, cells die or selfdestruct,” explains Dr. Nevler. “Our approach is completely different. We target energy.”
His research traces its roots to 2017, when studies of an old antimicrobial drug called pyrvinium pamoate showed effectiveness against pancreatic cancer. Building on that success, Dr. Nevler’s pilot grant-funded project has been examining a similar drug called dithiazanine iodide, which was used to treat pinworms in the 1940s and 1950s.
“Dithiazanine iodide has a molecular structure very similar to pyrvinium pamoate but is more easily absorbed into the bloodstream, potentially making it more effective as a cancer drug,” notes Dr. Nevler. “We’ve done work in mice and have shown even better effects than with the original compound.”
Dr. Nevler is now collaborating with a medicinal chemist in Spain to modify these obsolete drugs – making them more bioavailable and better targeted specifically to cancer cells.
Using ultrasound to predict postoperative ileus
Through his pilot grant-funded research (funded in 2022), Benjamin R. Phillips, MD, is tackling a common but unpredictable post-surgical complication: postoperative ileus (POI). This temporary paralysis of intestinal function affects about one-third of patients after gastrointestinal surgery.
“When people have POI, the intestines stop pushing content through the digestive system, which leads to nausea, vomiting, increased pain, risk of aspiration and extended hospital stays,” explains Dr. Phillips. “We need better ways of knowing who is likely to develop this condition.”
In his study, medical students used portable ultrasound technology to examine patients’ stomachs after surgery. They identified and recorded the volume status of each patient’s stomach – with the premise that an empty stomach likely indicates normal intestinal function, while a full stomach may predict ileus.
“We looked at patients’ stomachs the day after surgery and then followed their outcomes,” says Dr. Phillips. “Our data convincingly showed that patients with empty stomachs on ultrasound generally recovered well and went home without complications while those with full stomachs mostly did poorly and required additional interventions. In other words, ultrasound can identify postoperative ileus before patients have symptoms rather than waiting until they become ill.”
This discovery has significant clinical implications. Through early identification of patients at risk of POI, physicians can modify their care – being cautious about advancing diets for high-risk patients while confidently sending low-risk patients home sooner. Dr. Phillips is now preparing a larger study into using this technology to adjust postoperative patient care in real time.
To learn more or make a gift online, please visit: Jefferson.edu/GiveSurgery or contact Kelly Austin at 215-955-6383 or Kelly.Austin@jefferson.edu.
2025 Awardees
Sneha S. Alaparthi, MD, and Olugbenga Okusanya, MD: Identification of benign findings in patients who underwent segmentectomies after surgery
Sami Tannouri, MD: Creation of an evidence-based model for physiotherapy-enhanced ventral hernia repair
Andrew Morgan, MD: The value of indocynanine G (icG) fluorescence imaging technology on enhancing teaching effectiveness during colorectal and general surgery
Renee Tholey, MD: Development and Implementation of a formalized surgical mentorship program at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
Recommended Citation
(2024)
"Department Pilot Grants Enable Continued Scientific, Clinical Advances,"
Jefferson Surgical Solutions: Vol. 20:
Iss.
3, Article 5.
Available at:
https://jdc.jefferson.edu/jss/vol20/iss3/5
Avinoam Nevler, MD
Benjamin R. Phillips, MD, FACS, FASCRS