Brian Boone , MD

Assistant Professor, Surgical Oncology

Organization:

West Virginia University School of Medicine

Department:

Surgery

Classification:

Clinical Faculty

Adjunct Assistant Professor

Organization:

West Virginia University School of Medicine

Department:

Microbiology, Immunology & Cell Biology

Classification:

Faculty

Member

Organization:

West Virginia University WVU Cancer Institute

Department:

WVU Cancer Institute Research Laboratories

Classification:

Faculty

• MD, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida

Most Recent:

Enhanced neutrophil extracellular trap formation in acute pancreatitis contributes to disease severity and is reduced by chloroquine.
Murthy P, Singhi AD, Ross MA, Loughran P, Paragomi P, Papachristou GI, Whitcomb DC, Zureikat AH, Lotze MT, Zeh HJ, Boone BA.
Front Immunol. 2019; 10: 28.
PMC6353831

Can post-hoc video review of robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy predict portal/superior mesenteric vein margin status in pancreatic adenocarcinoma?
Jung JP, Zenati MS, Hamad A, Hogg ME, Simmons RL, Zureikat AH, Zeh HJ, Boone BA.
HPB (Oxford). 2019; 21(5): 679-686.
PMC Journal - In process

Neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX in patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer: a systematic review and patient-level meta-analysis.
Janssen QP, Buettner S, Suker M, Beumer BR, Addeo P, Bachellier P, Bahary N, Bekaii-Saab TS, Bali MA, Besselink MG, Boone BA, Chau I, Clarke S, Dillhoff M, El-Rayes BF, Frakes JM, Grose D, Hosein PJ, Jamieson NB, Javed AA, Khan K, Kim KP, Kim SC, Kim SS, Ko AH, Lacy J, Margonis GA, McCarter MD, McKay CJ, Mellon EA, Moorcraft SY, Okada KI, Paniccia A, Parikh PJ, Peters NA, Rabl H, Samra J, Tinchon C, van Tienhoven G, van Veldhuisen E, Wang-Gillam A, Weiss MJ, Wilmink JW, Yamaue H, Homs MYV, van Eijck CHJ, Katz MHG, Koerkamp BG.
J Natl Cancer Inst. 2019.

Risk of venous thromboembolism for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma undergoing preoperative chemotherapy followed by surgical resection.
Boone BA, Zenati MS, Rieser C, Hamad A, Al-Abbas A, Zureikat AH, Hogg ME, Neal MD, Zeh HJ, 3rd.
Ann Surg Oncol. 2019; 26(5): 1503-1511.

The platelet NLRP3 inflammasome is upregulated in a murine model of pancreatic cancer and promotes platelet aggregation and tumor growth.
Boone BA, Murthy P, Miller-Ocuin JL, Liang X, Russell KL, Loughran P, Gawaz M, Lotze MT, Zeh HJ, 3rd, Vogel S.
Ann Hematol. 2019.

ASO author reflections: dissecting the risk and impact of venous thromboembolism during neoadjuvant treatment and the subsequent perioperative period for patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
Boone BA.
Ann Surg Oncol. 2019.

Hepatic artery infusion of melphalan in patients with liver metastases from ocular melanoma.
Boone BA, Perkins S, Bandi R, Santos E, McCluskey K, Bartlett DL, Pingpank JF.
J Surg Oncol. 2018; 117(5): 940-946.
PMC6388637
 

Education
Bachelor of Science - Jacksonville University        
Doctor of Medicine - University of South Florida College of Medicine       

Post Graduate Training
General Surgery Residency – University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship – University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Hillman Cancer Center
Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowship – University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

Board Certification
General Surgery - #061797   Sept 2016-Dec 2027
Surgical Oncology: #000244  Feb 2019-Dec 2019

Honors and Awards
American Pancreatic Association Young Investigator Award                                                                   2018
PanCan Research Award, Best Presentation on Pancreatic Cancer Research, Pancreas Club             2018
Doris Maxwell Award for Best Resident Research, UPMC Department of Surgery                                 2016
Society of Surgical Oncology Harvey Baker Traveling Fellow Award                                                      2014
PanCan Research Award, Best Presentation on Pancreatic Cancer Research, Pancreas Club             2014
Best Oral Presentation, University of Pittsburgh Department of Surgery Research Day                         2014
National Institute of Health Loan Repayment Award                                                                           2013-15
Ruth L. Kirchstein Institutional National Research Service Award, T32 Grant Recipient                    2012-14
Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism and Excellence in Teaching                                                         2011

Publications

Peer Reviewed Publications

1. Zeh HJ, Bahary N, Boone BA, Singhi AD, Miller-Ocuin J, Normolle DP, Zureikat AH, Hogg ME, Bartlett DL, Lee K, Tsung A, Marsh JW, Murthy P, Tang D, Seiser N, Amaravadi RK, Espina V, Liotta LA, Lotze MT. A Randomized Phase II Preoperative Study of Autophagy Inhibition With High-Dose Hydroxychloroquine and Gemcitabine/Nab-Paclitaxel in Pancreatic Cancer Patients.  Clin Cancer Res. Clin Cancer Res. 2020 Mar 10. pii: clincanres.4042.2019. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-19-4042. [Epub ahead of print].
2. Zureikat AH, Beane JD, Zenati MS, Al Abbas AI, Boone BA, Moser AJ, Bartlett DL, Hogg ME, Zeh HJ.  500 Minimally Invasive Robotic Pancreatoduodenectomies: One Decade of Optimizing Performance.  Ann Surg.  2019 Dec 5. [Epub ahead of print].
3. Borhani AA, Dewan R, Furlan A, Seiser N, Zureikat AH, Singhi AD, Boone B, Bahary N, Hogg ME, Lotze M, Zeh HJ, Tublin ME.  Assessment of Response to Neoadjuvant Therapy Using CT Texture Analysis in Patients with Resectable and Borderline Resectable Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.  AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2019 Dec 4; 1-8.
4. Snoderly H, Boone BA, Bennewitz M.  Neutrophil extracellular traps in breast cancer and beyond: Current perspectives on NET stimuli, thrombosis and metastasis, and clinical utility for diagnosis and treatment.  Breast Cancer Research. 2019 Dec 18;21(1):145.
5. Murthy P, Boone BA. ASO Author Reflections: Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index (SII) as a Biomarker of Response to Neoadjuvant Therapy in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma.  Ann Surg Onc. In press.
6. Murthy P, Zenati MS, Abbas AI, Reiser CJ, Bahary N, Lotze MT, Zeh HJ, Zureikat AH, Boone BA.  Prognostic Value of the Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index (SII) After Neoadjuvant Therapy for Patients with Resected Pancreatic Cancer.  Ann Surg Onc.  2020 Mar;27(3):898-906.
7. Dyer MR, Alexander W, Hassoune A, Chen Q, Alvikas J, Liu Y, Halderman S, Plautz W, Loughran P, Li H, Boone B, Sadovsky Y, Sunnd P, Zuckerbraun BS, Neal MD.  Platelet-derived extracellular vesicles released after trauma promote hemostasis and contribute to DVT in mice.  J Thromb Haem.
8. 2019 Jul 11. doi: 10.1111/jth.14563. [Epub ahead of print].
8. Lui A, Zeh HJ, Boone BA. Pancreatic cancer presenting as pancreatic duct disruption.  Case Rep Surg.  May 26; 2019:6381249.
9. Boone BA.  ASO Author Reflections: Dissecting the Risk and Impact of Venous Thromboembolism During Neoadjuvant Treatment and the Subsequent Perioperative Period for Patients With Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma. Ann Surg Onc. 2019 Apr 23. doi: 10.1245/s10434-019-07396-7.[Epub ahead of print].
10. Boone BA, Murthy P, Miller-Ocuin JL, Liang X, Russell KL, Loughran P, Gawaz M, Lotze MT, Zeh HJ.  The platelet NLRP3 inflammasome is upregulated in a murine model of pancreatic cancer and promotes platelet aggregation and tumor growth.  Ann Hematol. Jul;98(7):1603-1610.
11. QP Janssen, S Buettner, M Suker, BR Beumer, P A, P Bachellier, N Bahary, T Bekaii-Saab, MA Bali, MG Besselink, BA Boone, I Chau, S Clarke, M Dillhoff, BF El-Rayes, JM Frakes, D Grose, PJ H, NB Jamieson, AA Javed, K Khan, K Kim, SC Kim, SS Kim, AH Ko, J Lacy, GA Margonis, MD McCarter, CJ McKay, EA Mellon, SY Moorcraft, K Okada, A Paniccia, PJ Parikh, NA Peters, H Rabl, J Samra, C Tinchon, G Tienhoven, E Veldhuisen, A Wang-Gillam, MJ Weiss, JW Wilmink, H Yamaue, MYV Homs, CHJ van Eijck, MHG Katz, BG Koerkamp. Neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX in Patients with Borderline Resectable Pancreatic Cancer: A Systematic Review and Patient Level Meta-analaysis.  JNCI.  2019 May 14. pii: djz073. doi: 10.1093/jnci/djz073. [Epub ahead of print].
12. Murthy P, Singhi AD, Ross MA, Loughran P, Paragomi P, Papachristou GI, Whitcomb DC, Zureikat AH,  Lotze MT, Zeh HJ, Boone BA.  Enhanced neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation in acute pancreatitis contributes to disease severity and is reduced by chloroquine.  Front Immunol.  2019 Jan 24;10:28. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00028. eCollection 2019.
13. Boone BA, Zenati MS, Rieser C, Hamad A, Al-abbas A, Zureikat AH, Hogg ME, Neal MD, Zeh HJ.  Risk of Venous Thromboembolism in Patients with Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Undergoing Pre–operative Chemotherapy Followed by Surgical Resection.  Ann Surg Onc.  2019 May; 26(5):1503-1511.
14. Miller-Ocuin JL, Liang X, Boone BA, Doerfler WR, Singhi AD, Tang D, Kang R, Lotze MT, Zeh HJ.  Neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) DNA activates stroma, enhancing pancreatic tumor growth.  Oncoimmunology.  Jun 11;8(9):e1605822.
15. Jung JP, Zenati MS, Hamad A, Hogg ME, Simmons RL, Zureikat AH, Zeh HJ, Boone BA. Can Post-Hoc Video Review of Robotic Pancreaticoduodenectomy Predict Portal/Superior Mesenteric Vein Margin Status in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma? HPB. 2019 Jun; 21(6):679-686.
16. Boone BA, Murthy P, Miller-Ocuin J, Doerfler WR, Ellis JT, Liang X, Ross MA, Wallace CT, Sperry JL, Lotze MT, Neal MD, Zeh HJ.  Chloroquine Reduces Hypercoagulability in Pancreatic Cancer through Inhibition of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps.  BMC Cancer.  2018 Jun 22; 18(1):678.
17. Anunobi R, Boone BA, Cheh N, Tang D, Kang R, Loux T, Lotze MT, Zeh HJ.  Extracellular DNA Promotes Colorectal Tumor Cell Survival Following Cytotoxic Chemotherapy.  J Surg Res. 2018 Jun;226:181-191.
18. HY Kim, X Wang, R Kang, D Tang, BA Boone, HJ Zeh, MT Lotze, WB Edwards.  RAGE-specific Single Chain Fv for PET Imaging of Pancreatic Cancer. PLoS One.  2018 Mar 12;13(3):e0192821.
19. Boone BA, Perkins S, Bandi R, Santos E, McCluskey K, Bartlett DL, Pingpank JF.  Hepatic Artery Infusion of Melphalan in Patients with Liver Metastases from Ocular Melanoma.  J Surg Onc. 2018 Apr; 117(5):940-946.
20. Rogers MB, Aveson V, Firek B, Yeh A, Brooks B, Brower-Sinning R, Steve J, Banfield JF, Zureikat A, Hogg M, Boone BA, Zeh HJ, Morowitz MJ. Disturbances of the Perioperative Microbiome Across Multiple Body Sites in Patients Undergoing Pancreaticoduodenectomy.  Pancreas. 2017 Feb;46(2):260-267.
21. Polanco PM, Zenati MS, Hogg ME, Shaki M, Boone BA, Bartlett DL, Zeh HJ, Zureikat AH.  An Analysis of Risk Factors for Pancreatic Fistula After Robotic Pancreaticoduodenectomy: Outcomes from a Consecutive Series of Standardized Pancreatic Reconstructions.  Surg Endosc.  2016 Apr; 30(4): 1523-9. 
22. Downs-Canner S, Zenati M, Boone BA, Varley PR, Hogg ME, Zureikat AH, Zeh HJ, Lee KK.  The Indolent Nature of Pulmonary Metastases from Ductal Adenocarcinoma of the Pancreas.  J Surg Onc.  2015 Jul; 112(1):80-5.
23. Wagner P, Boone BA, Ramalingam L, Jones H, Zureikat A, Holtzman M, Ahrendt S, Pingpank J, Zeh H, Choudry H, Bartlett DL.  Histologic and Immunohistochemical Alterations Associated with Cytoreductive Surgery and Heated Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy.  Ann Surg Onc. 2015 Dec; 22 Suppl 3:588-95.
24. Boone BA, Bahary N, Zureikat AH, Moser AJ, Normolle D, Wu W, Singhi AD, Bao P, Bartlett DL, Liotta L, Espina V, Loughran P, Lotze MT, Zeh HJ.  Safety and Biologic Response of Pre-operative Autophagy Inhibition in Combination with Gemcitabine in Patients with Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma.  Ann Surg Onc. 2015 Dec; 22(13): 4402-10.
25. Boone BA, Huynh C, Spangler ML, Sumkin J, Johnson R, Mcguire KP, Soran A, Ahrendt GM.  Axillary Lymph Node Burden in Invasive Breast Cancer: A Comparison of the Predictive Value of Ultrasound Guided Needle Biopsy and Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy.    Clin Breast Cancer.  2015 Oct; 15(5):e243-8. 
26. Nguyen T, Zenati M, Boone BA, Steve J, Hogg M, Bartlett DL, Zeh HJ, Zureikat AH.  Robotic Pancreaticoduodenectomy in the Presence of Aberrant or Anomalous Hepatic Arterial Anatomy: Safety and Oncologic Outcomes  HPB.  2015 Jul; 17(7):594-9.
27. Shakir M, Zureikat AH, Boone BA, Polanco, P, Zenati M, Hogg ME, Tsung A, Choudry M, Moser AJ, Bartlett DL, Zeh HJ.  The Learning Curve for Robotic Distal Pancreatectomy: An Analysis of Outcomes of the First 100 Consecutive Cases at a High Volume Pancreatic Cancer.  HPB.   2015 Jul; 17(7):580-6.
28. Boone BA, Orlichenko L, Schapiro N, Loughran P, Gianfrate G, Ellis J, Singhi A, Kang R, Tang D, Lotze MT, Zeh HJ.  The Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products (RAGE) Enhances Autophagy and Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in Pancreatic Cancer. Cancer Gene Ther. 2015 Jun;22(6):326-34.
29. Boone BA, Zenati M, Hogg ME, Steve J,  Moser AJ, Bartlett DL, Zeh HJ, Zureikat AH.  Assessment of Quality Outcomes for Robotic Pancreaticoduodenectomy: Identification of the Learning Curve.  JAMA Surg.   2015 May; 150(5):416-22.
30. Downs-Canner S, Van der Vliet WJ, Thoolen SJ, Boone BA, Zureikat AH, Hogg ME, Bartlett DL, Callery MP, Kent TS, Zeh HJ, Moser AJ.  Robotic Surgery for Benign Duodenal Tumors.  J Gastrointest Surg. 2015 Feb; 19(2):306-12.
31. Kirk KA, Boone BA, Evans L, Evans S, Bartlett DL, Holtzman MP.  Analysis of outcomes for single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) right colectomy reveals a minimal learning curve.  Surg Endosc. 2014 Jun;29(6):1356-62.
32. Boone BA, Steve J, Zenati MS, Hogg ME, Singhi A, Bartlett DL, Zureikat AH, Bahary N, Zeh HJ.  Serum CA 19-9 Response to Neoadjuvant Therapy is Associated with Outcome in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma.  Ann Surg Onc.  2014 Dec; 21(13):4351-8.
33. Zureikat AH, Nguyen T, Boone BA, Wijkstrom M, Hogg ME, Humar A, Zeh HJ.  Robotic Total Pancreatectomy with or without Autologous Islet Cell Transplantation: Replication of an Open Technique through a Minimal Access Approach.  Surg Endosc. 2015 Jan; 29(1):176-83.
34. Boone BA, Sabbaghian S, Zenati M, Marsh JW, Moser AJ, Zureikat A, Singhi A, Zeh HJ, Krasinskas AM.  Loss of SMAD4 staining in pre-operative cell blocks is associated with distant metastases following pancreaticoduodenectomy with venous resection for pancreatic cancer.  J Surg Oncol. 2014 Aug; 110(2):171-5.
35. Boone BA, Kirk KA, Tucker N, Gunn S, Forsythe R.  Iliac Venous Pressure Estimates Central Venous Pressure Following Laparotomy.  J Surg Res. 2014 Sep; 191(1):203-7.
36. Zureikat AH, Moser AJ, Boone BA, Bartlett DL, Zenati M, Zeh HJ.  250 Robotic Pancreatic Resections: Safety and Feasibility.  Ann Surg. 2013 Oct; 258(4):554-62.
37. Boone BA, Steve J, Krasinskas AM, Zureikat AH, Lembersky BC, Gibson MK, Stoller R, Zeh HJ, Bahary N.  Outcomes with FOLFIRINOX for Borderline Resectable and Locally Unresectable Pancreatic Cancer.  J Surg Oncol. 2013 Sep;108(4):236-41.
38. Boone BA, Zeh HJ, Mock B, Johnson P, Dvorchik I, Lee KK, Moser AJ, Marsh JW.  Resection of Isolated Local and Metastatic Recurrence in Periampullary Adenocarcinoma.  HPB. 2014 Mar;16(3):197-203.
39. Boone BA, Zureikat AH, Hughes S, Zeh HJ, Lee KKW.  Abdominal Compartment Syndrome is an Early, Lethal Complication of Acute Pancreatitis.  Am Surg. 2013 Jun;79(6):601-7.
40. Boone BA, Hamad G.  A Well Circumscribed, Painless Abdominal Mass.  JAMA Surg. 2013 Nov; 148(11):1071-2. 
41. Boone BA,  Wagner P, Ganchuk E, Evans L, Evans S, Zeh HJ, Bartlett DL, Holtzman MP.  Single Incision Splenectomy: Preliminary Experience and Comparison to Standard Laparoscopic Splenectomy.  Surg Endosc. 2013 Feb;27(2):587-92.
42. Boone BA, Wagner P, Ganchuk E, Evans L, Zeh HJ, Bartlett DL, Holtzman MP.  Single-incision laparoscopic right colectomy in an unselected patient population. Surg Endosc. 2012 Jun;26(6):1595-601.
43. Marshall WG Jr, Boone BA, Burgos JD, Gografe SI, Baldwin MK, Danielson ML, Larson MJ, Caretto DR, Cruz Y, Ferraro B, Heller LC, Ugen KE, Jaroszeski MJ, Heller R.  Electroporation-mediated delivery of a naked DNA plasmid expressing VEGF to the porcine heart enhances protein expression.  Gene Ther. 2010 Mar;17(3):419-23.

Reviews and Book Chapters

1. Boone BA, Zeh HJ.  Robotic Pancreatic Surgery.  Master Techniques in Surgery: Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery. In Press.
2. Boone BA, Zeh HJ, Bahary N.  Autophagy Inhibition in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma.  Clin Colorectal Cancer. 2018 Mar; 17(1):25-31.
3. Boone BA, Zureikat AH, Hogg ME, Zeh HJ.  Minimally Invasive Pancreatic Surgery.  Current Surgical Therapy: 12^th Edition. 2017. Ch 282.
4. Boone BA, Lotze MT.  Targeting Damage Associated Molecular Pattern Molecules (DAMPs) and          DAMP Receptors in Melanoma.  Methods Mol Biol. 2014;1102:537-52.
5. Boone BA, Bartlett DL, Zureikat AH.  Isolated hepatic perfusion for treatment of liver metastases.  Curr Probl Cancer. 2012 Mar;36(2):27-76.
6. Khreiss M, Zeh HJ, Boone BA, Zureikat AH.  Robotic-assisted pancreaticoduodenectomy.  Curr Surg Rep. 2013; 1:98–105.
7. Boone BA, Downs-Canner S, Zeh HJ.  Minimally invasive liver and pancreatic surgery.  ACS Surgery Online.  April 2014.
8. Boone BA, Zeh HJ.  Robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy: Resection and Pancreaticojejunostomy.   Operative Techniques in Surgery. Dec 2014. Vol 1, Part 3, Section 1, Ch 35.

Presentations

Invited Lectures

1. “Autophagy and Neutrophil Extracellular Trap Formation in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: Bench to Bedside to Bench.”  Japanese Gastrointestinal Surgical Society.  Hamamatsu, Japan. July 26, 2015.
2. “Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) Enhance Pancreatic Cancer Progression and Promote Cancer-Associated Hypercoagulability.”  Cancer Cell Biology Seminar, WVU, August 29, 2018.

Podium Presentations

1. “Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) Enhance Pancreatic Cancer Progression and Promote Cancer-Associated Hypercoagulability.”  Cancer Cell Biology Seminar, WVU, August 29, 2018.
2. “Chloroquine Ameliorates Pancreatitis through Inhibition of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps.”  Pancreas Club,Washington DC, June 1, 2018.
3. “Identification of Risk Factors for Venous Thromboembolism in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Patients Undergoing Pre–operative Chemotherapy.”  Pancreas Club.  Washington DC, June 2, 2018.
4. “Chloroquine Ameliorates Pancreatitis through Inhibition of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps.”  Academic Surgical Congress, Jacksonville, Fl.  February 1, 2018.
5. “Development of Autophagy and Checkpoint Inhibition with Gemcitabine/Abraxane in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma.”  UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Scientific Retreat and Conference.  June 22, 2017.
6. “Safety and Efficacy of Infusional Melphalan for Patients with Hepatic Insufficiency Secondary to High Volume Metastatic Uveal Melanoma.”  Regional Cancer Therapies, Snowbird, UT.  February 18, 2017.
7. “Management of Middle Bile Duct Cholangiocarcinoma.” University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Department of Surgery Grand Rounds, Pittsburgh, PA. November 4, 2015. 
8.  “Advances in the Management of Gastric Cancer.”  University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Department of Surgery Grand Rounds, Pittsburgh, PA.  November 12, 2014.
9. “Ca 19-9 Response to Neoadjuvant Therapy Predicts Outcome in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma.”  Pancreas Club, Chicago, IL.  May 2, 2014.
10. “Neutrophil Autophagy Promotes Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) in Pancreatic Cancer Contributing to Hypercoagulability.”  Pancreas Club, Chicago, IL.  May 3, 2014.
11. “Phase I/II Trial of Autophagy Inhibition in Combination with Neoadjuvant Gemcitabine in High-Risk Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: Safety, Clinical Response and Correlative Study.” Society of Surgical Oncology, Phoenix, AZ.  March 14, 2014. 
12. “Outcome Analysis of Robotic Pancreaticoduodenectomy versus Open Pancreaticoduodenectomy.”  AHPBA, Miami, Fl.  Feb 23, 2014.
13. “Randomized Phase II Trial of Pre-Operative Gemcitabine and nab-Paclitaxel +/- Autophagy Inhibition In Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma.” AHPBA, Miami, FL. Feb 22, 2014.
14. “Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) are Upregulated in Pancreatic Cancer as a Result of Autophagy and Promote Hypercoagulability.”  Academic Surgical Congress, San Diego, CA.  February 6, 2014.
15.  “Minimally Invasive Pancreatic Surgery.”  University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Department of Surgery Grand Rounds, Pittsburgh, PA.  November 13, 2013.
16. “Neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX for Pancreatic Cancer: Is the Clinical Reality Worth the Hype?” Society of Surgical Oncology, National Harbor, MD.  March 7, 2013.
17.  “Evolution of Robotic Surgical Technique: The Learning Curve of Robotic Assisted Pancreaticoduodenectomy.”  AHPBA, Miami, Fl.  Feb 24, 2013.
18.  “Abdominal Compartment Syndrome is an Early, Lethal Complication of Severe Acute Pancreatitis.”  Southeastern Surgical Congress, Jacksonville, Fl. Feb 10, 2013.
19.  “Phase I/II Trial of Autophagy Inhibition in Combination with Gemcitabine in High Risk Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: Safety and Response to Treatment.”  Academic Surgical Congress, New Orleans, La.  February 6, 2013.
20.  “Abdominal Compartment Syndrome: An Early Lethal Complication of Acute Pancreatitis.”  Pancreas Club.  New Orleans, La.  May 1-2, 2010.
21.  “Electro-Gene Transfer in the Porcine Lung.”  Chest 2008.  American College of Chest Physicians.  Philadelphia, Pa.  October 26-30, 2008
22.  “Gender Differences in Cardiac Surgery.”   Advances in the Management of Cardiovascular Disease Symposium, Tampa, FL April 3, 2008.
23.  “Gene Therapy for Treatment of Cardiac and Pulmonary Disease.” Scholarly Concentration in Research Meeting.  Tampa, Fl.  February 16, 2008.

Department of Surgery, Non-Programmatically Aligned MBRCC Member

Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive malignancy marked by propensity for early metastatic spread and resistance to therapy.  My research interests span basic science, translational and clinical research projects to improve our understanding of the pancreatic cancer pathobiology and improve outcomes for patients diagnosed with this disease.  Broadly, our research focuses on the inflammatory and immune response to pancreatic cancer and its associated treatments.  Specific research topics include: 1) the role of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in the pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer and pancreatitis, 2) thromboinflammatory mechanisms of cancer associated hypercoagulability, 3) clinical trials evaluating the NET inhibitors in pancreatic disease, 4) the inflammatory response to surgery for resection of cancer and the impact on long term oncologic outcome, 5) minimally invasive approaches to pancreatic surgery, and 6) treatment response to neoadjuvant therapy for pancreatic cancer. 

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) occur when activated neutrophils expel their intracellular contents including DNA, histones, granules and other components into the extracellular space, tumor, or circulation.  We have identified a critical role of NETs in pancreatic cancer progression and hypercoagulability.  The components released from NETs promote pancreatic tumor microenvironment fibrosis which limits efficacy of treatment and prevents an effective immune response.  NETs released in the circulation promote establishment of metastatic tumor deposits. NETs are also a critical component of the inflammatory and immune response to surgery in cancer patients, thus we are investigating how these responses impact long term cancer associated outcomes.  

Pancreatic cancer is known to result in a hypercoagulable state with venous thromboembolism (VTE) affecting up to 40% of patients during their course of treatment.  Furthermore, VTE is an independent predictor of worse survival in pancreatic cancer patients.  The mechanisms promoting this pro-thrombotic state are poorly understood.  Our work has shown that NETs promote hypercoagulability in pancreatic cancer.  We are currently evaluating strategies to reverse cancer associated hypercoagulability and limit VTE by targeting NETs.

Development of effective clinical strategies requires translation of laboratory findings to the bedside in the form of early phase clinical trials of novel agents.  We have previously studied the autophagy and NET inhibitor hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) as a neoadjuvant treatment in pancreatic cancer patients, demonstrating safety and tolerability of HCQ when combined with chemotherapy, followed by a randomized trial to evaluate treatment response.  Our future studies will focus on additional targets for NET inhibition as novel neoadjuvant treatments, as well as evaluating NET inhibition as a thromboprophylaxis strategy in the perioperative setting for patients undergoing pancreatic resection. 

My clinical outcomes research evaluates strategies to improve care of patients with pancreatic cancer. This includes evaluating treatment outcomes related to the utilization of minimally invasive approaches to surgical resection, the use of neoadjuvant treatments and biomarkers of treatment response to facilitate surgical decision making. 

Tumor Microenvironment COBRE Pilot
December 2019- November 2020
Impact of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) on the Pancreatic Tumor Microenvironment
Pilot Project Leader: Brian Boone

Hirshberg Foundation Pilot Grant
November 2019- October 2020
Targeting Peptidyl Arginine Deiminase 4 (PAD4) Induced Neutrophil Extracellular Trap (NET) Formation to Enhance T cell Response in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma
PI: Brian Boone

American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant – Pilot Project Grant
September 2018 – August 2019
“Targeting Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) to Reverse Pancreatic Cancer Associated Hypercoagulability”
PI: Brian A. Boone

WVU Medicine and WV CTSI Research Start Up Package
September 2018 –
PI: Brian A. Boone

Emma Clyde Hodge Memorial Fund     
April 2016-January 2018
“Exploring How Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) Promote Hypercoagulability in Pancreatic Cancer and Preventing Their Effects”
Co-PI: Herbert J. Zeh, Brian A. Boone

NIH Loan Repayment Program
July 2012-June 2014
“Targeting Autophagy in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma”
PI: Herbert J. Zeh
Brian Boone, Postdoctoral Research Scholar

NIH/NCI Ruth Kirchstein Award T32CA113263-06A1: Postdoctoral Training in the Immunotherapy of Cancer
July 2012-June 2014
PI: David L. Bartlett/Herbert J. Zeh
Brian Boone, Postdoctoral Research Scholar

 

Publications:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=Boone%2C%20Brian%5BFull%20Author%20Name%5D&cmd=DetailsSearch

Medical Specialties

• Cancer / Oncology
• Surgery

Special Training

• Residency, General Surgery
  University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
• Fellowship, Surgical Oncology
  University of Pittsburgh