Bert O'Neil

 Our group is very interested in integration of a number of novel, biologic compounds itno a multi-modality treatment setting in cancers such as pancreatic and rectal cancers which often require surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy for optimal treatment. Such compounds include those targeting the proteasome and those targeting the c-erb B family of receptor tyrosine kinase molecules. These compounds may act both as radiation sensitizers and chemotherapy sensitizers. Our aim is to evaluate the effects of such compounds in vivo utilizing biopsy material from patients undergoing treatment for study at the molecular level.

 Additionally we have multiple studies for primary liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma)including studies of a novel MEK inhibitor (AZD6244), a novel TRAIL agonist, and studies of sorafenib in patients with advanced cirrhosis. Our research program for HCC is one of the largest in the Southeastern US.

Dr. O'Neil is a co-investigator on UNC's GI SPORE Grant, is funded by an NIH K23 grant (NCI) looking at radiation and signaling in rectal cancer, and has a position on the (national) Hepatobiliary Task Force of the GI Intergroup.