Clinical Interests
Gynecologic oncology, surgery in gynecologic malignancies, complicated gynecologic surgery

Research Interests
My research interests include a range of clinical/translational research focused on women's cancers.

Endometrial cancer.
1)Uterine Serous Carcinoma: Describing the clinical behavior of this uncommon endometrial cancer variant. I have published several papers which describe the aggressive nature of this endometrial cancer variant and in retrospective fashion have shown a potential link to women with a history of breast cancer. Have developed a divisional chemotherapy and radiation protocol for women with this disease and have been able to show a significant improvement in progression free survival for the women on our protocol.

2)Endometrial carcinoma: Many endometrial carcinomas develop through progressive premalignant and malignant stages, however the temporal mechanistic relationship between the common abnormalities is not currently known. However, since 40-76% of endometrial cancers develop an alteration in PTEN gene function, we are provided with the opportunity to potentially impact the cell cycle and cellular proliferation in endometrial cancer by targeting this common mutation. Downstream from PTEN lies mTOR, mammalian target of rapamycin, which can modulate translation and cellular growth. Rapamycin, an antibiotic, inhibits cell growth by binding mTOR thus inactivating it. We have previously demonstrated that rapamycin, both in cell lines and in tumors extracted from women with endometrial carcinoma causes cellular growth arrest.

We propose to further investigate the effects of rapamycin in vitro and in vivo and to better describe the mechanistic relationships involved in endometrial carcinogenesis. This investigation is targeted at the development of novel treatment strategies guided by molecular knowledge.

3)Biomarkers in endometrial carcinoma: I am also interested in evaluating biomarkers that may help provide prognostic information for women with endometrial cancer. I have previously described the prognostic significance of estrogen and progesterone receptor status in women with stage I endometrioid adenocarcinoma and am interested in expanding our understanding of this histologic variant as well as the serous papillary variant.

Recent Accomplishments and Honors
2003 Lineberger Clinical Cancer Center Translational Award recipient.

2003 APGO Excellence in Teaching Award

2002 Univeristy of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Junior Faculty Development Award

Training
MD, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 1993

Residency, Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Virginia Hospitals, Charlottesville, VA 1993-1997

Fellowship, Gynecologic Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1997-2000.

Publications

1.Gehrig PA, Bae-Jump V, Boggess JF, Fowler WC, Van Le L. Association between uterine serous carcinoma and breast cancer. Gynecologic Oncology 2004;94:208-11.

2.Rao GG, Skinner E, Gehrig PA, Duska LR, Coleman RL, Muller CY, Miller DS, Schorge JO. Is staging of ovarian LMP tumors worth the effort? A multicenter study of 229 patients. Obstetrics and Gynecology 2004;104:261-66.

3.Moller K, Gehrig PA, Secord AA, Schorge JO, Van Le L. Stage IV uterine serous carcinoma: Is there a role for optimal surgical debulking? Gynecologic Oncology 2004;94:170-4.

4.Boruta DM, Gehrig PA, Boggess JF, Groben PA, Bae-Jump V, Fowler WC, Van Le L. Uterine Serous and Grade 3 endometrioid carcinomas: Is there a survival difference? Accepted, Cancer, 2004.

5.Skinner EN, Gehrig PA, Van Le L. High grade squamous intra-epithelial lesion (HGSIL): What is the optimal schedule for surveillance after treatment? Obstetrics and Gynecology Survey 2004;59:430-1.

6.Gehrig PA, Van Le L, Morris DM. Uterine papillary serous carcinoma: A comparison of therapy for advanced stage disease. International Journal of Gynecologic Cancer 2004;14:515-20.

7.Skinner EN, Gehrig PA, Van Le L. High grade squamous intra-epithelial lesion (HGSIL): What is the optimal schedule for surveillance after treatment? American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 103: 488-92, 2004

8.Zhou C, Gehrig PA, Whang YE, Boggess JF. Rapamycin inhibits telomerase
activity by decreasing hTERT mRNA levels in endometrial cancer cells. Molecular Cancer Therapeutics 2003;2:789-95.

9.Boruta D, Fowler WC, Gehrig PA, Boggess J, Van Le L. Weekly paclitaxel infusion as salvage therapy in ovarian cancer. Cancer Investigation 21:675-81, 2003..

10.Gehrig PA, Van Le L. The role of omentectomy during the surgical staging of uterine papillary serous carcinoma. International Journal of Gynecologic Cancer. 13:212-5, 2003.

11.Gehrig, P.A., Boggess JF, Ollila D, Groben PA, Van Le L. Advanced appendiceal carcinoma mimicking ovarian cancer. International Journal of Gynecological Cancer. 12:768-72, 2002.

12.Gehrig PA, Van Le L. Gestational trophoblastic disease: An update. Current problems in obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility. 5:150-65,2002.

13.Lea JS, Shin CS, Sheets EE, Gehrig PA, Coleman RL, Duska LR, Miller DS, Schorge JO. Endocervical curettage predicts residual cervical adenocarcinoma in situ in women younger than 40 years. Gynecologic Oncology 87:129-32, 2002.

14.Gehrig PA, Groben PA, Walton LA, FowlerWC, Van Le L. Uterine serous carcinomas: Non-invasive uterine lesions herald metastatic disease. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 97:153-157, 2001.

15.Gehrig PA, Fowler WC, Lininger, R. Ovarian capillary hemangioma presenting as an adnexal mass with massive ascites and elevated CA-125. Gynecologic Oncology, 76:130-132, 2000.

16.Judson PL, Watson JM, Gehrig PA, Fowler WC, Haskill JS. Cisplatin inhibits paclitaxel-induced apoptosis in Cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cell lines: possible explanation for failure of combination therapy. Cancer Research 59: 1-8, 1999.

17. Gehrig PA, Van Le L, Olatidoye B, Geradts J. Estrogen receptor status as predictor of recurrence in stage I endometrial carcinoma. Cancer 86:2083-2089, 1999.

18.Gehrig PA, Van Le L. The prognostic value and clinical utility of estrogen and progesterone receptors in endometrial carcinoma. Primary Care Update 7:55-59, 1999.

E-mail: pam68@med.unc.edu
Address: 5006 Old Clinic , NC

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