The Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition Service has an active clinical research program investigating endoscopic therapies and prevention strategies. Ongoing research includes:

• a prospective randomized study of the effect of endoscopic implantation of silencing RNA directed against mutated KRAS in people with locally advanced pancreatic cancer
• a clinical trial investigating the safety and efficacy of a new drug and endoscopic laser combination, WST11-VTP, in the treatment of people with obstructing esophageal cancer
• a study of the safety of fecal microbiota transplantation for recurrent or refractory C. difficile in immunocompromised patients with solid tumors who have received chemotherapy

We are also investigating enhanced screening and early detection of cancer in people at a high risk. For example, we lead MSK’s screening program for people at an increased risk of pancreatic cancer due to family history or a known genetic syndrome. We are also examining enhanced screenings for people at a high risk of colorectal cancer, specifically those with Lynch syndrome and young-onset colorectal cancer. We are initiating a prospective study of young-onset patients to better understand the nature of cancer in this group of people so we can help decrease the incidence of and mortality from this curable disease.