Alexander Schlachterman, MD

Gastroenterology
ABIM
BLS

Pancreatic biliary disease; ERCP, EUS, Third Space Endoscopy; Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), POEM for Achalasia or gastroparesis

Achalasia treatments, Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), pancreatic biliary disease, device innovation:

Through my GI fellowships, medicine and previous training, I have cared for many GI patients alongside a wide range of gastroenterologists, hepatologists, surgeons and PhD trained doctor.  Whether I am caring for a patient with newly diagnosed cancer, a laboratory abnormality or an undiagnosed disease I am engaged and fulfilled. I am also excited to be applying skills and knowledge that I acquired during my many years of training. Clinical and bench side experience are commonly utilized for my patient care and research projects. The exposure to the diverse diagnostic possibilities, treatment options, procedural work and research opportunities within advance gastroenterology has confirmed it is my ideal specialty.  Esophageal, gastric, pancreatic and colon cancer have been major focus of my research over the past 7 years. Continuing to pursue projects with leaders in the field of Gastroenterology and Oncology will assist me to further my training and interest to become the best possible physician I can.  

Much of my experience during my prior career in research is relevant to GI and pancreatic disease in one aspect or another.  In my early research positions at the University of Pennsylvania, for instance, my efforts were geared toward the treatment of esophageal cancer.  Our investigation of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy effect on squamous cell carcinoma measured by HIF1-alpha and VEGF induction by real-time PCR, Northern blot analysis and in-vivo studies showed no significant difference in tumor growth. This in turn supports the use of HBO for wound healing status post resection for esophageal cancer.  Later, while I was a senior research associate at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, I applied the most cutting edge medicine of gene therapy and bleeding disorders to in-vivo models.  Our work showed that a conformational pliant variant of coagulation factor Xa (FXa(I16L)) rendered partially inactive by a defect in the transition from zymogen to active protease improves hemostasis.  Using mouse models of hemophilia, we demonstrated that FXa (I16L) has a longer half-life than wild-type FXa and therefore allows restoration of hemostasis in hemophilic animals upon vascular injury.  Successful studies such as this one suggest that one day we may be able use pro-coagulants to treat patients with acute GI bleeds or coagulopathy disorders.  Indeed, this may become a reality in the not-so-distant future now that we are closer to clinic trials after our Nature Biotechnology publication in October 2011.  As an Advance GI faculty, I would envision continuing to do such translational research work with a focus on ESD (endoscopic submucosa dissection), achalasia (POEM), gastroparesis (G-POEM) and pancreatic biliary disease while practicing as a therapeutic advanced gastroenterologist.

At this point, my goal is to continue as an Advanced Endoscopy, Gastroenterologist at Thomas Jefferson University with a focus on teaching and continue a wide array of techniques for optimal patient care and to perform research in gastric, esophageal, colon disease and pancreatic cancer, cyst management, chronic pancreatic, achalasia and investigating technology related to managing these disease diagnosis and treatment.