Steven Libutti

Last updated
Steven Libutti
Steven Libutti.jpg
Born (1964-04-18) April 18, 1964 (age 59)
Long Beach, New York, U.S.
Occupation(s) Surgical Oncologist, Endocrine Surgeon, Cancer Center Director
Uniformed Service
AllegianceFlag of the United States.svg  United States
Service/branchFlag of the United States Public Health Service.svg U.S. Public Health Service Commissoned Corps
Years of service1995–2010
Rank US-O6 insignia.svg CAPTAIN

Steven Kenneth Libutti, M.D., F.A.C.S. (born April 18, 1964) is an American surgeon and scientist. In January 2017, he became the third permanent Director of the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Vice Chancellor for Cancer Programs for Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences and the Senior Vice President for Oncology Services for RWJBarnabas Health, the largest health system in New Jersey. He is a tenured Distinguished Professor of Surgery at the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Libutti's work on the study of tumor angiogenesis and the tumor microenvironment has led to novel approaches for the treatment of cancer. He is also one of the pioneers of regional and targeted cancer therapy.

Contents

Libutti was the founding Director of the Montefiore-Einstein Center for Cancer Care, and served as the Associate Director of the Albert Einstein Cancer Center and Vice-Chairman of the Department of Surgery at Montefiore Medical Center and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine from 2009 to 2017. Libutti was a tenured Professor of Surgery and Genetics at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, New York and a Professor of Surgery at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland. In September 2009, Libutti was invested as The Marvin L. Gliedman, M.D. Distinguished Surgeon in the Department of Surgery at Montefiore Medical Center. Libutti is the Editor-in-Chief Emeritus of the Springer Nature journal, Cancer Gene Therapy.

Early life and education

Libutti grew up in Long Beach, New York and is the eldest child of Dennis and Phyllis Libutti. Libutti had a dream of becoming a doctor ever since he watched M*A*S*H and Marcus Welby, M.D. during his childhood. Since he was growing up in New York at the time, Libutti wanted to become an orthopedic surgeon, a doctor that in his dreams will be a person who would tend either to the New York Giants or the New York Yankees. [1]

Libutti attended Long Beach High School and graduated in 1982. He then attended Harvard College and received his B.A. degree from Harvard University in 1986 with magna cum laude honors. [2] Following college he attended the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons where he graduated Alpha Omega Alpha [3] and received his M.D. degree in 1990. [1] Libutti completed his surgical residency at the Presbyterian Hospital in New York in 1995 and was selected to serve as the Chief Resident from 1994 to 1995. Following residency, he moved to the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland and in 1996, he completed a fellowship in surgical oncology and endocrine surgery in the Surgery Branch of the National Cancer Institute.

Career

Libutti joined the staff of the Surgery Branch in 1996 and became a tenured senior investigator and the section chief of the Tumor Angiogenesis Section in 2006. In 2007, Libutti was promoted to Professor of Surgery at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland. In 2009 Libutti was named the Founding Director of the Montefiore-Einstein Center for Cancer Care, Associate Director of the Albert Einstein Cancer Center and Vice-Chairman of the Department of Surgery at Montefiore Medical Center and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. [4] He was a tenured professor of surgery and genetics at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, New York and a Professor of Surgery at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland. Libutti was also The Marvin L. Gliedman, M.D. Distinguished Surgeon, an endowed position in the Department of Surgery at Montefiore Medical Center. In 2017, Libutti joined Rutgers University as a tenured Professor of Surgery at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (promoted to Distinguished Professor in 2023) and an Affiliated Distinguished Professor in Genetics at the School of Arts and Sciences. [5] Libutti is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Society of Surgical Oncology, the Society of University Surgeons, and the American Surgical Association. He is a member of the American Association for Cancer Research, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Joint Committee on Cancer and is a Past President of the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons. [6]

Research

Libutti is studying tumor neovascular formation and the interaction between tumor cells, endothelial cells and the components of the tumor microenvironment. [7] The goal of Libutti's research program is to develop novel cancer therapies through a better understanding of the tumor microenvironment. The interaction of a tumor and its vasculature is critical for both tumor growth and the spread of tumor cells to distant organs. The process of new vessel development within the tumor is termed angiogenesis and is required for tumors to grow larger than a few millimeters. In order to better understand the relationship between the tumor and its blood supply, their research is focused on the interaction between tumor-derived factors and endothelial cells developing in the context of the tumor microenvironment. By understanding this interaction, they hope to be able to design novel treatment strategies to inhibit both the growth and the spread of tumors. They are currently studying a variety of tumor-derived factors with effects on tumor-associated vasculature. These include vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endothelial cell monocyte-activating polypeptide II (EMAP-II). EMAP-II is a cytokine with potent effects on blood vessels and was discovered by a research team (including Libutti) at Columbia University. Cytokines such as VEGF and EMAP-II appear to be produced in varying amounts by tumors and have direct effects on the tumor neovasculature. Libutti's approach to the study of these interactions has been through the utilization of a variety of in vitro and in vivo model systems. [8] [9]

His team is using gene expression profiling to understand the changes that occur in endothelial cells exposed to tumor-derived factors. [10] His laboratory is developing techniques, which allow them to isolate endothelial cells from tumor tissue. This has resulted in their ability to study tumor-derived endothelial cells directly, and has led to the observation that tumor associated endothelial cells have epigenetic changes compared to normal endothelial cells from the same tissue type. This approach has also allowed them to identify specific genes such as FILIP1L (formerly DOC1), which appear to play a role in the control of endothelial cell responses to angiogenesis inhibitors. They are also using noninvasive imaging techniques, including dynamic MRI and PET, to map changes in tumor blood flow within tumors both in animal models and in patients on clinical trials. A variety of inhibitors of tumor angiogenesis are being actively studied. These include both recombinant proteins derived from naturally occurring substances as well as small molecules designed to act on specific pathways. Various methods of delivering these agents, including gene therapy approaches and the use of tumor targeted nanoparticles are being pursued. Libutti was the first to administer TNF bound colloidal gold nanoparticles as targeted therapy to cancer patients. [11]

The overall goal of Libutti's work is to translate a better understanding of tumor cell-endothelial cell interactions, within the context of the tumor microenvironment, into better therapies for patients with cancer. [12] Dr. Libutti is also studying the role of tumor suppressor genes such as MEN1 in the process of tumor formation. Specifically, deciphering the role of MEN1 in the tissue selective development of tumors is work for which Libutti received an R01 grant from the NCI. [13] Libutti has published over 290 peer reviewed journal articles and currently has a Hirsch Index of 67. [14] He is the Editor-in-Chief of Cancer Gene Therapy, a Springer Nature journal focused on cancer gene and cellular therapies. [15]

In addition to his laboratory and research interests, Libutti is an accomplished clinical surgeon. His clinical expertise is in the management of malignancies of the liver, pancreas, and gastrointestinal tract, and in applying laparoscopic surgery to managing patients with malignancies. In addition, Libutti is an internationally recognized expert in endocrine surgery and provides surgical consultation and treatment for patients with disorders of the thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal glands, and for endocrine tumors arising in the pancreas.

Uniformed service

In June 1995, Libutti was commissioned a Lieutenant (O-3) in the Reserve Corps of the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and called to extended active duty. Libutti was assigned as a Clinical Associate in the Surgery Branch of the National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health. In January 1996, he was promoted to Lieutenant Commander and in July 1996, became a Clinical Investigator. He served in this capacity until July 1999, when he was promoted to Commander and Senior Clinical Investigator. In January 2000, Libutti completed his tour of active duty and inactivated, retaining his commission in the Inactive Reserve Corps. In September 2005, Libutti was recalled to active duty and deployed to Baton Rouge, Louisiana in support of hurricane relief efforts for hurricane Katrina. He was assigned as the Incident Commander for the LSU Field House SNS (formerly the PMAC field hospital). At the completion of this short tour, he once again inactivated. He was recalled again to a short tour of active duty in August 2006, and was promoted to Captain (O-6). Libutti was recalled to an intermittent tour of active duty from January 2007 through March 2010 in support of an Army backfill request and detailed to the Department of Defense, U.S. Army Medical Command (MEDCOM), in the Department of Surgery of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. [16] [17] In July 2007, Libutti was elected to the Board of Directors of the Commissioned Officers Association of the U.S. Public Health Service and named a Trustee of the Commissioned Officers Foundation of the U.S. Public Health Service. Libutti is also a member of the Reserve Officers Association, the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States and the Military Officers Association of America. CAPT Libutti completed his uniformed service and honorably separated in March 2010.

USPHS OPHS Awards Ceremony, January 10, 2008. (l-r) LCDR Timothy Jiggens (Achievement Medal), CAPT Steven Libutti (Commendation Medal), CAPT James Sayers (Director, Office of Reserve Affairs) and LCDR Dimitrus Culbreath (Commendation Medal). LibuttiUSPHS.jpg
USPHS OPHS Awards Ceremony, January 10, 2008. (l-r) LCDR Timothy Jiggens (Achievement Medal), CAPT Steven Libutti (Commendation Medal), CAPT James Sayers (Director, Office of Reserve Affairs) and LCDR Dimitrus Culbreath (Commendation Medal).

Uniformed service awards

Libutti received the following uniformed service awards and decorations:

Public Health Service Commendation Medal ribbon.png
Public Health Service Outstanding Unit Citation ribbon.png Public Health Service Crisis Response Service Award ribbon.png Public Health Service Bicentennial Unit Commendation Award ribbon.png
National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg Global War on Terrorism Service Medal ribbon.svg USPHS Commissioned Corps Training Ribbon.png
PHSCC FMRB.png USPHS Associate Recruiter Badge.png
Public Health Service Commendation Medal
Public Health Service Outstanding Unit Citation Public Health Service Crisis Response Service Award Public Health Service Bicentennial Unit Commendation Award
National Defense Service Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Commissioned Corps Training Ribbon
Field Medical Readiness Badge USPHS Associate Recruiter Badge

Personal life

Libutti married Mary Douros (a physical therapist) in 1990. They have three children; Christina Marie (born August 31, 1992), Melissa Dina (born May 11, 1995) and Michael Dennis (born June 12, 2002). [18] His sister, Eileen Libutti, is an attorney in New York.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angiogenesis</span> Blood vessel formation, when new vessels emerge from existing vessels

Angiogenesis is the physiological process through which new blood vessels form from pre-existing vessels, formed in the earlier stage of vasculogenesis. Angiogenesis continues the growth of the vasculature mainly by processes of sprouting and splitting, but processes such as coalescent angiogenesis, vessel elongation and vessel cooption also play a role. Vasculogenesis is the embryonic formation of endothelial cells from mesoderm cell precursors, and from neovascularization, although discussions are not always precise. The first vessels in the developing embryo form through vasculogenesis, after which angiogenesis is responsible for most, if not all, blood vessel growth during development and in disease.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Metastasis</span> Spread of a disease inside a body

Metastasis is a pathogenic agent's spread from an initial or primary site to a different or secondary site within the host's body; the term is typically used when referring to metastasis by a cancerous tumor. The newly pathological sites, then, are metastases (mets). It is generally distinguished from cancer invasion, which is the direct extension and penetration by cancer cells into neighboring tissues.

An angiogenesis inhibitor is a substance that inhibits the growth of new blood vessels (angiogenesis). Some angiogenesis inhibitors are endogenous and a normal part of the body's control and others are obtained exogenously through pharmaceutical drugs or diet.

Moses Judah Folkman was an American biologist and pediatric surgeon best known for his research on tumor angiogenesis, the process by which a tumor attracts blood vessels to nourish itself and sustain its existence. He founded the field of angiogenesis research, which has led to the discovery of a number of therapies based on inhibiting or stimulating neovascularization.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Endostatin</span>

Endostatin is a naturally occurring, 20-kDa C-terminal fragment derived from type XVIII collagen. It is reported to serve as an anti-angiogenic agent, similar to angiostatin and thrombospondin.

Axel Ullrich is a German cancer researcher and has been the director of the molecular biology department at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry in Martinsried, Germany since 1988. This department's research has primarily focused on signal transduction. Ullrich has received Hamdan Award for Medical Research Excellence, awarded by Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates in 2008 and Ullrich and his team received the Wolf Prize in 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steven Rosenberg</span> American cancer researcher

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Endothelial progenitor cell is a term that has been applied to multiple different cell types that play roles in the regeneration of the endothelial lining of blood vessels. Outgrowth endothelial cells are an EPC subtype committed to endothelial cell formation. Despite the history and controversy, the EPC in all its forms remains a promising target of regenerative medicine research.

Jessica Kandel is the Mary Campau Ryerson Professor of Surgery and the Vice-Chair for Academic Affairs in the Department of Surgery at the University of Chicago.

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Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are a class of immune cells present in high numbers in the microenvironment of solid tumors. They are heavily involved in cancer-related inflammation. Macrophages are known to originate from bone marrow-derived blood monocytes or yolk sac progenitors, but the exact origin of TAMs in human tumors remains to be elucidated. The composition of monocyte-derived macrophages and tissue-resident macrophages in the tumor microenvironment depends on the tumor type, stage, size, and location, thus it has been proposed that TAM identity and heterogeneity is the outcome of interactions between tumor-derived, tissue-specific, and developmental signals.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tumor microenvironment</span> Surroundings of tumors including nearby cells and blood vessels

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex ecosystem surrounding a tumor, composed of a variety of non-cancerous cells including blood vessels, immune cells, fibroblasts, signaling molecules and the extracellular matrix (ECM). Mutual interaction between cancer cells and the different components of the TME support its growth and invasion in healthy tissues which correlates with tumor resistance to current treatments and poor prognosis. Tumors can influence the microenvironment by releasing extracellular signals, promoting tumor angiogenesis and inducing peripheral immune tolerance, while the immune cells in the microenvironment can affect the growth and evolution of cancerous cells.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tumor-associated endothelial cell</span>

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References

  1. 1 2 "Dr. Steven Libutti: Physician-Scientist-Surgeon". September 17, 2010. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  2. ↑ "Steven K. Libutti, MD, FACS". Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  3. ↑ "Steven K. Libutti, MD, FACS" (PDF). Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  4. ↑ "Steven Libutti, MD, Named Director of Montefiore-Einstein Center for Cancer Care". March 5, 2009. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  5. ↑ "Steven K. Libutti" . Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  6. ↑ "Montefiore Einstein Center For Cancer Care Director Named President Of The American Association Of Endocrine Surgeons". May 27, 2015. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  7. ↑ "Faculty Profile — Steven Libutti". einstein.yu.edu. Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Archived from the original on November 18, 2016. Retrieved November 17, 2016.
  8. ↑ Kao J, Houck K, Fan Y, Haehnel I, Libutti SK, et al. (October 1994). "Characterization of a Novel Tumor-Derived Cytokine. Endothelial-Monocyte Activating Polypeptide II". Journal of Biological Chemistry. 269 (40): 25106–25119. doi: 10.1016/S0021-9258(17)31505-3 . PMID   7929199.
  9. ↑ Berger AC, Alexander HR, Tang G, Wu PS, Hewitt SM, Turner E, Kruger E, Figg WD, Grove A, Kohn E, Stern D, Libutti SK (July 2000). "Endothelial Monocyte Activating Polypeptide II Induces Endothelial Cell Apoptosis and May Inhibit Tumor Angiogenesis". Microvascular Research. 60 (1): 70–80. doi:10.1006/mvre.2000.2249. PMID   10873516.
  10. ↑ Tandle AT, Mazzanti C, Alexander HR, Roberts DD, Libutti SK (June 21, 2005). "Endothelial monocyte activating polypeptide-II induced gene expression changes in endothelial cells". Cytokine. 30 (6): 347–358. doi:10.1016/j.cyto.2005.01.020. PMID   15935955.
  11. ↑ Michael S. Rosenwald (April 24, 2008). "Rockville Firm Wants to Give Cancer a Nanotech Poison". The Washington Post . Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  12. ↑ "Search 'Libutti' at ClinicalTrials.gov". clinicaltrials.gov. National Institutes of Health. Retrieved November 17, 2016.
  13. ↑ "Einstein-Montefiore Scientists Awarded NCI Grantsto Study "Provocative Questions" in Cancer Research". Vol. 3, no. 15. September 20, 2013. p. 103.
  14. ↑ "Libutti S". NCBI. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  15. ↑ "Montefiore Einstein Center for Cancer Care Director Named Editor-In-Chief of Cancer Gene Therapy". January 30, 2014. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  16. ↑ The Officer, Volume LXXXIII, No. 3, March/April 2007.
  17. ↑ COA Frontline, Vol. 44, Issue 3, April 2007.
  18. ↑ "CV" (PDF). Retrieved October 30, 2019.
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