Study - No Correlation between IL-10 Polymorphisms and Peptic Ulcers

A member of the American College of Surgeons, Dr. Dan Avradopoulos is a lead physician in wound care at Heywood Hospital in Gardner, Massachusetts. An avid researcher, Dr. Dan Avradopoulos’ work was referenced in a 2014 study by the medical faculty of Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences in Bandar Abbas, Iran. The study sought to explore the frequency of interleukin-10 (IL-10) polymorphisms in patients with peptic ulcers and chronic gastritis. 

Peptic ulcer is a significant medical problem that seriously affects patients’ quality of life. One of the causes of peptic ulcers is Helicobacter pylori infection, which is related to the inflammatory responses of gastric mucosa. Anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10 limit inflammatory responses. The study by Hormozgan University faculty sought to clinically establish the role of IL-10 in cases of inflammation as well as its relationship with peptic ulcers. 

For the study, 107 people with symptoms of stomach pain and indigestion, all with an indication for endoscopy, were selected as a patient group, while 107 healthy people were selected as a control group. The role of IL-10 in both groups was then examined. Researchers found no significant difference between both groups in terms of the C allele in IL-10, indicating no correlation between IL-10 polymorphisms and peptic ulcers.

The American Society of Clinical Oncology’s Merit Award

Dr. Dan Avradopoulos provides medical services as the lead physician in wound care at Heywood Hospital in Massachusetts. A recognized physician, Dr. Dan Avradopoulos has received numerous awards, including the Susan G. Komen Local Hero award and the Merit Award from the American Society of Clinical Oncology. 

A medical research and education organization, the American Society of Clinical Oncology draws on a membership of over 40,000 oncology professionals in its fight against cancer. The organization provides services that range from cancer research and professional learning programs to patient care initiatives and global networking. 

Moreover, the society, with support from its affiliate the Conquer Cancer Foundation, encourages excellence in the oncology profession through its Merit Award program. Designed for fellows and oncology trainees, the award recognizes scientific excellence in research with a $1,000 award. Moreover, award recipients receive complimentary admission to an American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting, where they can present their research.

ABS Releases Video on New Continuous Certification Program

An accomplished general surgeon with more than two decades of experience, Dr. Dan Avradopoulos serves as the lead physician of the Wound Care Center at Heywood Hospital in Gardner, Massachusetts. Recognized as an expert in his field, Dr. Dan Avradopoulos is certified by the American Board of Surgery.

Last November, the American Board of Surgery announced sweeping changes to its certification process which will offer a more frequent and accessible examination schedule. Under the new format, diplomates will have the ability to renew their certification every two years by taking an open-book examination offered online. The new program will be rolled out in the second half of 2018.

In order to better explain the process and answer questions that diplomates may have about the new certification schedule, ABS Chair Dr. Mary Klingensmith spoke about the continuous assessment initiative in a video released in late January. That video can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/251554116.

Connections Between IL-10 Activity and Immunosuppressive Effects

A Massachusetts-based physician, Dr. Dan Avradopoulos practices at the Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine at Heywood Hospital and has extensive experience as a surgical oncologist. Well published in his field, Dr. Dan Avradopoulos coauthored a paper examining the ability of interleukin-10 to induce immunosuppressive effects in head and neck cancers, particularly squamous cell carcinoma. Published in the March 1997 issue of Annals of Surgical Oncology, the paper brought focus to depressed cell-mediated immunity, which involves impairment of lymphokine-activated and natural killer cell activity, as well as T cell-proliferative responses. This suppression of the immune response is linked to a serum-derived factor and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), interleukin (IL)-10, and other cytokines generating similar immunosuppressive effects. The study examined whether IL-10 and TGF-beta were responsible for the sera-induced immunosuppressive effects in patients with head and neck cancers. The findings were that, while TGF-beta did not have this role, reversal of the suppressive effect could be achieved through blocking IL-10’s biologic action. Further research was recommended to better understand IL-10’s role in triggering the immunosuppressive effect.