George A. Fisher

Biography

I am Professor - Med Center Line, Medicine - Oncology, Vice Chair of GI Committee, ECOG-ACRIN (2015 - Present) and Co-Chair Scientific Advisory Board, Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation (2011 - Present) and i I conduct clinical research on a variety of gastrointestinal cancers and provide care for patients with those cancers. We have trials of combined modality therapy (surgery +/- radiation +/- chemotherapy) on gastric, esophageal, pancreas and rectal cancers. We also perform phase I and II trials of biologically targeted agents as well as newer immunotherapeutics. In collaboration with a number of colleagues, we conduct translational studies analyzing novel imaging (e.g. contrast enhanced ultrasound and perfusion scans) and molecular biomarkers (e.g. CDX2 as a prognostic and predictive factor in colon cancer and matrix metalloproteinases as prognostic factors in pancreas cancer). Neuroendocrine tumors, pancreas, colorectal and gastro-esophageal cancers have been areas of particular research focus with multiple therapeutic and translational studies devote to each. Examples of recently completed trials include a randomized phase III trial of a vaccine (algenpantucel) for resected pancreas cancer, phase Ib trial of anti-PD-L1 and separate phase II trials using PD-1 antibody for tumors with micro satellite instability and chemotherapy with angiogenesis inhibitors for advanced neuroendocrine tumors and gastro-esophageal adenocarcinomas. Currently active areas of study include combining immunomodulating antibodies in combination therapy and randomized phase II colon cancer trials of an antibody to interleukin 1 or a first in class agent known as RadioRx. Participation and leadership in NCI cooperative group protocols gives our patients access to the randomized trials that hope to establish new standards of care for a variety of GI cancers.

Research Interest

Gastrointestinal Cancers, GI Oncology, Medical Oncology, Oncology, Cancer of the Pancreas, Colorectal Neoplasms