UMass Memorial Peritoneal Surface Malignancy

Research Program 

Traditionally, peritoneal-based malignancies have been considered an untreatable and terminal condition. Until the recent acceptance of cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), peritoneal-based tumor specimens were not available for investigation because these tumors were usually considered inoperable. Consequently, little is known about the molecular and cellular biology of these tumors. The Peritoneal Surface Malignancy Program at UMass Memorial has a basic and translational research program. This program is dedicated to bringing our clinical knowledge of the unsolved problems faced by patients with peritoneal-based cancers to the laboratory to find less toxic and more effective ways of treating and curing our patients. Some of our on-going projects and future endeavors are listed here. 

The role of mucin-regulating hormones in pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP)

Luteinizing hormone (LH) and beta human chorionogranin (b-HCG) have been shown to play a significant role in the production of gynecologic-associated mucins. The role of sex hormones in the production of gastrointestinal mucin, including that produced by the appendix, has never been determined. The purpose of this project is to investigate the role of sex hormones in the production of gastrointestinal mucin. The potential benefit of the results of this study is to identify a hormone-based therapy for the management of PMP.