Robert A. Fisher, MD
H.M. Lee Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics
Program Director Liver Transplant Program
Department of Surgery
Division of Transplantation Surgery
Appointments:
Appointed as Regional Councilor, UNOS Region 11,
Member Board of Directors
Education:
Texas A & M University
Baylor College of Medicine, MD
Fellowship:
University of Cincinnati Medical Center
Transplant Surgical Fellow
Licensure:
Texas, Ohio, Virginia
Board Certification:
American Board of Surgery
Publications:
Mas VR, Fisher RA, Maluf DG, Archer KJ, Contos MJ, Mills SA, Shiffman ML, Wilkinson DS, Oliveros L, Garrett CT, and Ferreira-Gonzalez A. Polymorphisms in cytokines and growth factor genes and their association with acute rejection and recurrence of hepatitis C virus disease in liver transplantation. Clinical Genetics 65:1-11, 2004.
Fisher RA. Living Donor Liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Altruism to the Rescue. Liver Transpl. 10(3): 448, 2004.
Mas VR, Maluf DG, Straviitz RT, Dumur CI, Clark B, Rodgers C, Ferreira-Gonzalez A, Fisher RA. Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) in HCV-infected patients awaiting liver transplantation: Genes involved in tumor progression. Liver Transpl. 10(5):607-620, 2004.
Paibir SG, Soine WH, Thomas DF, Fisher RA. Phenobarbital N-Glucosylation by human liver microsomes. Euro. J. Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics 29(1):51-59, 2004.
Fisher RA. Risk Factors for Cytomegalovirus Viremia and Disease Developing after Prophylaxis in High-Risk Solid Organ Transplant Recipients. Clinical Transplantation 2004; Vol 78, p. 1765-1773.
Mas VR, Maluf DG, Thompson M, Ferreira-Gonzalez A, Fisher RA. Engraftment Measurement in Human Liver Tissue After Liver Cell Transplantation by Short Tandem Repeats Analysis. Cell Transplantation 13: 231-236, 2004.
Fisher RA, Maluf D, Cotterell AH, Stravitz T, Wolfe L, Luketic V, Sterling R, Shiffman M, Posner MP. Non-resective ablation therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma: effectiveness measured by intention-to-treat and dropout from liver transplant waiting list. Clinical Transplant 18: 502-512, 2004.
Fisher RA, Stone JJ, Wolfe LG, Rodger CM, Anderson ML, Sterling RK, Shiffman ML, Luketic VA, Contos MJ, Mills AS, Gonzalez AF, and Posner MP. Four year follow up of a prospective randomized trial of mycophenolate mofetil with neoral or tacrolimus following liver transplantation. Clinical Transplant 18: 463-472, 2004.
Maluf DG, Clark BD, Cotterell AH, Posner MP, and Fisher RA. Massive Hepatic Artery Atherosclerosis of an Otherwise Suitable Donor Liver: A Case Report. Transplant Proceedings 36: 1438-1441, 2004
Stravitz RT, Shiffman ML, Sanyal AJ, Luketic VA, Sterling RK, Heuman DM, Ashworth A, Mills SA, Contos M, Cotterell AH, Maluf DG, Posner MP, and Fisher RA. Effects of Interferon Treatment on Liver Histology and Allograft Rejection in Patients with Recurrent Hepatitis C Following Liver Transplantation. Liver Transpl 10: 850-858, 2004
Fisher RA, Bu D, Thompson M, Wolfe L, Ritter J. Optimization of Conditions for Clinical Human Hepatocyte Infusion. Cell Transplant. 13(6): 677-689, 2004.
Stone JJ, Chang SH, Kimball PM, Stravitz TR, Fisher RA. Living Donor Liver Transplant with Clinical Tolerance, Laboratory Evidence of Chimeris, and Spontaneous Clearance of HBV. Liver Transpl. 10 (11): 1432-1435, 2004
Shiffman ML, Stravitz TR, Contos MJ, Mills AS, Sterling RK, Luketic VA, Sanyal AJ, Cotterell A, Maluf D, Posner M, and Fisher RA. Histological Recurrence of Chronic Hepatitis C Virus in Patients After Living Donor and Deceased Donor Liver Transplantation. Liver Transpl. 10 (10): 1248-1255, 2004
Fisher RA. On Comparing Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation to Adult Deceased Donor Liver Transplantation: What Have We Learned? Liver Transpl. 10(10):1269-1270, 2004
Yeatman CF, Fisher RA, Carucci LR, Halvorsen, RA. Bronchobiliary Fistula After Liver Transplantation: Comput Assist Tomogr. 28(5): 1-4, 2004.
Mas V, Fisher RA, Maluf DG, Contos M, Shiffman M, Wilkinson DS, Oliveros L, Garrett CT, Ferreira-Gonzalez A. Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) as Predictors of the Outcome after Liver Transplantation. Clinical Genetics 65:191- 201, 2004.
Heuman DM, Abou-ass- SG, Habib A, Williams LM, Stravitz RT, Sanyal AJ, Fisher RA, and Mihas AA. Persistent Ascites and Low Serum Sodium Identify Patients With Cirrhosis and Low MELD Scores Who Are at High Risk for Early Death. Hepatology: 40 (4): 802-810, 2004
Maluf DG, Stravitz RT, Cotterell AH, Posner MP, Nakatsuka M, Sterling RK, Luketic VA, Shiffman ML, Ham JM, Marcos A, Behnke MK and Fisher RA. Adult Living Donor Versus Deceased Donor Liver Transplantation: A 6- Year Single Center Experience. Am. J. Transplant. 5: 149-156, 2005.
Singh N, Lortholary O, Anexander BD, Krishan LG, John GT, Purshell K, Munoz P, Klintmalm GB, Stosor V, del Busto R, Limaye AP, Somani J, Lyon M, Houston S, House AA, Pruett TL, Orloff S, Humar A, Dowdy L, Garcia-Diaz J, Kalil AC, Fisher RA, Husain S, and the Cryptococcal Collaborative Transplant Study Group. An Immune Reconstitution Syndrome-Like Illness Associated with Cryptococcus neoformans Infection in Organ Transplant Recipients. CID 40: 1756-1761, 2005.
Maluf D, Cotterell A, Clark B, Stravitz T, Kauffman HM, Fisher RA. Hepatic Angiosarcoma and Liver Transplantation: Case Report and Literature Review. Transplantation Proceedings 37: 2195-2199, 2005.
Chang SH, Park HK, Eryilmaz R, Bu D, Stone JJ, Davis M, Riley RS, Fisher RA. A New Alloantigen-Independent Control for Chronic Allograft Nephropathy Rat Models. Journal of Surgical Research 128,50-54 2005.
Olthoff KM, Merion RM, Ghobrial RM, Abecassis MM, Fair JH, Fisher RA, Freise CE, Kam I, Pruett Tl, Everhart JE, Sheron-Hulbert TE, Gillespie BW, Edmond JC. Outcomes of 385 Adult-to-Adult Living Donor Liver Transplants: A Report From the A2ALL Consortium. Ann Surg. 2005 Sep;242(3):314-23, discussion 323-5.
Singh N, Lortholary O, Alexander BD, Gupta KL, John GT, Pursell K, Munoz P, Klintmalm GB, Stosor V, delBusto R, Limaye AP, Somani J, Lyon M, Houston S, House AA, Pruett TL, Orloff S, Humar A, Dowdy L, Garcia-Diaz J, Fisher RA, Husain S, Cryptococcal Collaborative Transplant Study Group. Allograft Loss in Renal Transplant Recipients with Cryptococcus Neoformans Associated Immune Reconstitution Syndrome. Transplantation. 2005 Oct 27;80(8): 1131-1133.
Singh N, Lortholary O, Alexander BD, Gupta KL, John GT, Pursell K, Munoz P, Klintmalm GB, Stosor V, delBusto R, Limaye AP, Somani J, Lyon M, Houston S, House AA, Pruett TL, Orloff S, Humar A, Dowdy L, Garcia-Diaz J, Kalil AC, Fisher RA, Heitman J, Husain S. Antifungal Management Practices and Evolution of Infection in Organ Transplant Recipients with Cryptococcus Neoformans Infection. Transplantation. 2005 Oct 27;80(8): 1033-1039.
Maluf D, Mas V, Archer K, Yanek K, King A, Gonzalez-Ferreira A, Rodgers C, Fisher RA, Posner M. Apolipoprotein E genotypes as predictors of high-risk group for developing hyperlipidemia in kidney transplant recipients undergoing sirolimus treatment. Transplantation. 2005 Dec 27;80(12):1705-11.
Mas V, Maluf D, Archer K, King A, Rodgers C, Cotterell A, Fisher RA, Posner MP. Study of mRNA Growth Factors in Urinary Cells of Kidney Transplant Recipients as predictors of Chronic Allograft Nephropathy. Transplantation. 2005 Dec 27;80(12): 1686-91.
Maluf D, Mas V, Yanek K, Stone J, Massey D, Spiess B, Posner M, Fisher RA. .Molecular Markers in Stored Kidneys using Perfluorocarbon-based Preservation Solution: Preliminary Results. Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation. 2005 Jun;38(5):1243-6.
Kimball P, Baker M, Fisher RA. Allograft TNFB and IL16 Polymorphisms Influence HCV Recurrence and Severity After Liver Transplantation. Liver Transpl. 2006 12: 247-252.
Maluf D, Shim I, Posner M, Cotterell AH, Fisher RA. Salvage Procedure for Unexpected Portal Vein Thrombosis in Living-Donor Liver Transplantation. Transplant Proc. 2006 Jun;38(5):1422-4.
Singh N, Limaye AP, Forrest G, Safdar N, Munoz P, Pursell K, Houston S, Rosso F, Montoya JG, Patton P, del Busto R, Aguado JM, Wagener MM, Fisher RA, Klintmalm GB, Miller R, Lewis RE, Kontoyiannis DP, Husain S. Combination of Voriconazole and Caspofungin as Primary Therapy for Invasive Aspergillosis in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: A Prospective, Multicenter, Observational Study. Transplantation. 2006 Feb 15;81(3):320-6.
Sanyal AJ, Banas C, Sargeant C, Luketic VA, Sterling RK, Stravitz RT, Shiffman ML, Heuman D, Cotterell AH, Fisher RA, Contos MJ, Mills AS. Similarities and Differences in Outcomes of Cirrhosis Due to Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis and Hepatitis C. Hepatology. 2006 Apr;43(4):682-9.
Mas VR, Maluf DG, Archer KJ, Yanek K, Williams B, Fisher RA. Differentially expressed genes between early and advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) as a potential tool for selecting liver transplant recipients. Molecular Medicine 2006; 12: 97-104.
Fisher RA, Fung JJ. Monotherapy in Liver Transplant Recipients. Transplantation Updates. 2006 Apr;1(4): 1-10.
Fisher RA and Strom SC. Human Hepatocyte Transplantation: Worldwide Results. Transplantation. 2006 Aug 27; 82(4): 441-449.
Mas VR, Maluf DG, Dumur CI, Archer KJ, Yanek K, Jackson-Cook C, Fisher RA. Molecular Techniques for Identifying HCC Origin and Biology After Orthotopic Liver Transplantation. Diagn Mol Pathol. 2006 June;15(2): 90-94.
Singh, N, Alexander BD, Lortholary O, Dromer F, Gupta KL, John GT, del Busto R, Klintmalm GB, Somani J, Lyon GM, Pursell K, Stosor V, Munoz P, Limaye AP, Kalil AC, Pruett TL, Garcia-Diaz J, Humar A, Houston S, House AA, Wray D, Orloff S, Dowdy LA, Fisher, RA, Heitman J, Wagener MM, Husain S, and the Cryptococcal Collaborative Transplant Study Group. Cryptococcus neoformans in Organ Transplant Recipients: Impact of Calcineurin-Inhibitor Agents on Mortality. J Infect Dis 2007; 195: 756-764.
Mas VR, Fisher RA, Archer KJ, Yanek KC, Williams B, Dumur CI, Maluf DG. Genes associated with progression and recurrence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Hepatitis C Patients Waiting and Undergoing Liver Transplantation: Preliminary results. Transplantation 2007;83(7): 973-981.
Mas V, Maluf D, Archer K, Yanek K, Mas L, King A, Gibney E, Massey D, Cotterell A, Fisher R, Posner M. Establishing the molecular pathways involved in chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) for testing new non-invasive diagnostic markers. Transplantation 2007;83: 448-457.
Maluf DG, Stravitz RT, Williams B, Cotterell AH, Mas VR, Hueman D, Luketic V, Shiffman ML, Sterling RK, Posner MP, Fisher RA. Multimodality Therapy and Liver Transplantation in Patients With Cirrhosis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma: 6Years, Single-Center Experience. Transplantation Proceedings 2007;39: 153-159.
Fisher RA, Kulik LM, Freise CE, Lok ASF, Shearon TH, Brown RS,Jr., Ghobrial RM, Fair JH, Olthoff KM, Kam I, Berg CL, and the A2ALL Study Group. Hepatocellular Carcinoma Recurrence and Death Following Living and Deceased Donor Liver Transplantation. Am J. Transplantation 2007; 7: 1601-1608
Maluf DG, Fisher RA, King AL, Gibney EM, Mas VR, Cotterell AH, Shiffman ML, Sterling RK, Behnke KM, Posner MP. Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Kidney Transplantation: Predictors of Patient and Graft Survival. Transplantation 2007; 83(7): 853-857.
Fisher, RA Enabling altruism: Evaluating the adult living liver donor. Liver Transpl. 2007 Apr;13(4): 478-9.
Fisher RA, Maluf DG, Wolf L, Williams B, Cotterell AH, Stravitz RT, Heuman D, Posner MP. Is Hepatic Transplantation Justified for Primary Liver Cancer? J Surg Onc. 2007; 95(8): 674-679.
Mas VR, Mas LA, Archer KJ, Yanek K, King AL, Gibney EM, Cotterell A, Fisher RA, Posner M, Maluf DG. Evaluation of Gene Panel mRNAs in Urine Samples of Kidney Transplant Recipients as a Non-invasive Tool of Graft Function. Mol Med. 2007; 13(5-6): 315-324.
Berg CL, Gillespie BW, Merion RM, Brown RS, Abecassis MM, Trotter JF, Fisher RA, Freise CE, Ghobrial RM, Shaked A, Fair JH, Everhart JE. Improvement in Survival Associated with Adult-to-Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation. Gastroenterology 2007; (133):1806-1813
Trotter J, Wisniewski K, Terrault N, Everhart JE, Kinkhabwala M, Weinreib R, Fair JH, Fisher RA, Koffron A, Saab A, Merion R, the A2ALL Study Group. Outcomes of Donor Evaluation in Adult-To-Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation. Hepatology 2007; 46 (5), 1476-1484.
Mas VR, Maluf DG, Archer KJ, Yanek KC, Fisher RA. Angiogenesis Soluble Factors as Hepatocellular Carcinoma Noninvasive Markers for Monitoring Hepatitis C Virus Cirrhotic Patients Awaiting Liver Transplantation. Transplantation 2007; 84(10): 1262-1271.
Yilmaz N, Shiffman ML, Stravitz RT, Sterling RK, Luketic VA, Sanyal AJ, Maluf D, Coterell A, Posner MP, Fisher RA. Prophylaxis against Recurrence of Hepatitis B Virus after Liver Transplantation: A Retrospective Analysis Spanning 20 Years. Liver Int. 2008; 28(1): 72-78.
Singh N, Alexander BD, Lortholary O, Dromer F, Gupta KL, John GT, Del Busto R, Klintmalm GB, Somani J, Lyon GM, Pursell K, Stosor V, Munoz P, Limaye AP, Kalil AC, Pruett TL, Gracia-Diaz J, Humar A, Houston S, House AA, Wray D, Orloff S, Dowdy LA, Fisher RA, Heitman J, Wagener MM, Husain S. Pulmonary Cryptococcosis in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: Clinical Relevance of Serum Crytococal Angigen. Clin Infect Dis. 2008; 46(2): e12-18.
Kontoyiannis DP, Lewis RE, Alexander BD, Lortholary O, Dromer F, Gupta KL, John GT, Del Busto R, Klintmalm GB, Somani J, Lyon GM, Pursell K, Stosor V, Munoz P, Limaye AP, Kaili AC, Pruett TL, Garcia-Diaz J, Humar A, Houston S, House AA, Wray D, Orloff S, Dowdy LA, Fisher RA, Heitman J, Albert ND, Wagenere MM, Singh N. Calcineurin Inhibitor Agents Interact Synergistically with Antifungal Agents In Vitro against Cryptococcus neofarmans Insolates: Correlation with Outcome in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients with Cyrptococcosis. Anitmicrob Agents Chemother. 2008; 52(2): 735-738.
Mas VR, Archer KJ, Yanek K, Dumur C, Capparuccini M, Mangino M, King A, Gibney E, Fisher RA, Posner MP, and Maluf DG. Gene Expression Patterns in Deceased Donor Kidneys Developing Delayed Graft Function Post-Kidney Transplantation. Transplantation. 2008; 85: 4, 626-635
Ghobrial RM, Freise CE, Trotter JF, Tong L, Ojo AO, Fair JH, Fisher RA, Emond JC, Koffron AJ, Pruett TL, Olthoff KM. Donor Morbidity after Living Donation for Liver Transplantation. Gastroenterology. 2008; 14(9): 1273-1280.
Campsen J, Blei AT, Emond JC, Everhart JE, Friese CE, Lok AS, Saab S, Wisniewski KA, Trotter JF; Adult to Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation Cohort Study Group. Outcomes of living donor liver transplantation for acute liver failure: the adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation cohort study. Liver Trasnpl. 2008; 14: 1273-1280
Maluf DG, Mas VR, Archer KJ, Yanek K, Gibney EM, King AL, Cotterell AH, Fisher RA and Posner MP. Molecular Pathways Involved in Loss of Kidney Graft Function with Tubular Atrophy and Interstitial Fibrosis. Mol. Med, 2008; 14: 5-6, 276-85.
Stravitz RT, Heuman DM, Chand N, Sterling RK, Shiffman ML, Luketic VA, Sanyal AJ, Habib A, Mihas AA, Giles HC, Maluf DG, Cotterell AH, Posner MP, and Fisher RA. Surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with cirrhosis improves outcome. Am J Med. 2008; 121(2):119-26
Singh N, Lortholary O, Dromer F, Alexander BD, Gupta KL, John GT, del Busto R, Klintmalm GB, Somani J, Lyon GM, Pursell K, Stosor V, Muňoz P, Limaye AP, Kalil AC, Pruett TL, Garcia-Diaz J, Humar A, Houston S, House AA, Wray D, Orloff S, Dowdy LA, Fisher RA, Heitman J, Wagener MM, and Husain S. Central nervous system cryptococcosis in solid organ transplant recipients: clinical relevance of abnormal neuroimaging findings. Transplantation. 2008; 86(5); 647-51
Freise CE, Gillespie BW, Koffron AJ, Lok ASF, Pruett TL, Emond JC, Fair JH, Fisher RA, Olthoff KM, Trotter JF, Ghobrial RM, Everhart JE, and the A2ALL Study Group. Recipient Morbidity After Living Deceased Donor Liver Transplantation: Findings from the A2ALL Retrospective Cohort Study. Amer. J. Transplantation. 2008; 8: 2569-2579
Nydegger A, Van Dyck M, Fisher RA, Jaeken J, and Hardikar W. Hardikar syndrome: Long Term Outcome of a Rare Genetic Disorder. Am J Med Genet A, 2008; 146A(19): 2468-2472
Mas VR, Maluf DG, Archer KJ, Yanek K, Bornstein K, Fisher RA. Proteomic analysis of HCV cirrhosis and HCV-induced HCC: Identifying biomarkers for monitoring HCV-cirrhotic patients awaiting liver transplantation. Transplantation, 2009; 87(1): 143-52.
Shaked A, Ghobrial RM, Merion RM, Shearon TH, Emond JC, Fair JH, Fisher RA, Kulik LM, Pruett TL and Terrault NA. Incidence and Severity of Acute Cellular Rejection in Recipients Undergoing Adult Living Donor or Deceased Donor Liver Transplantation. Am. J. Transplantation. 2009; 9(2): 301-308
Archer KJ, Mas VR, O'Brien TR, Pfeiffer R, Lum NL, and Fisher RA. Quality Assessment of Microarray Data in a Multi-center Study. Diagnostic Molecular Pathology, 2009; 18(1): 34-43..
Archer KJ, Mas VR, Zhao Z, Kong X, Stravitz RT, Maluf DG, and Fisher RA. Identifying Genes Silenced in Preneoplatic and Neoplastic Liver Tissue. J Clin. Oncol. Volume and page number pending, 2008
Mas VR, Maluf DG, Archer KJ, Yanek K, Kong X, Kulik L, Friese CE, Olthoff KM, Ghobrial RM, McIver P, and Fisher RA. Genes Involved in viral carcinogenesis and tumor initiation in HCV-induced HCC. Mol. Med; 2008, Dec 21 (volume and page number pending).
Hackworth WA, Heuman DM, Sanyal AJ, Fisher RA, Sterling RK, Luketic VA, Shiffman ML, Maluf DG, Cotterell AH, Posner MP and Stravitz RT. Effects of Hyponatremia on outcomes following orthotopic liver transplantation. Am J Transplant. Volume and page number pending, 2008
Busque S, Leventhal J, Brennan DC, Steinberg S, Klintmaln G, Shah T, Mulgaonkar S, Bromberg J, Vincenti F, Hariharan S, Slakey D, Peddi VR, Fisher RA, Lawendy N, Wang C and Chan G. Calcineurin-inhibitor-free immunosuppresion based on the Janus Kinase inhibitor CP-690,550: 12-month follow-up of a pilot study in de novo renal allograft recipients. Lancet. Volume and page number pending, 2008.
Fisher RA. Cytomegalovirus infection and disease in the new era of immunosuppression following solid organ transplantation. Transplant Infect Dis. Volume and page number pending, 2008
Published abstracts, posters, and presentations:
Maluf DG, Cotterell AH, Posner MP, Nakatsuka M, Stravitz RT, Behnke MK, Shiffman ML, Sterling RK, Luketic VA, and Fisher RA. Adult Living Donor Versus Deceased Donor Liver Transplantation: A Six Year Single Center Experience. Oral presentation American Transplant Congress, John B. Hynes Convention Center, Boston, MA May 15-19, 2004. Am Journal of Transplantation: 8 (4): Ab # 1363 p 532, Olthoff 2004.
Olthoff KM, Merion RM, Ghobrial RM, Abecassis MM, Fair JH, Fisher RA, Freise CE, Kam I, Pruett TL, Everhart JE, Shearon-Hulbert TE, Gillespie BW, Edmond JC. Outcomes of 385 Adult-to Adult Living Donor Liver Transplants: A Report From The A2All Consortium; Ann Surg. 2005 Sep;242 (3):314-23, discussion 323-5.
Mas VR, Maluf DG, Sterling RK, Clark B, Rodgers C, RN, Gonzalez AF, and Fisher RA. Gene Expression Patterns In Cirrhosis And Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) In HCV-Infected Patients Awaiting Liver Transplantation. Oral presentation American Transplant Congress, John B. Haynes Convention Center, Boston, MA May 15-19, 2004. Am Journal of Transplantation: 8 (4): Ab # 1044 p 444, 2004.
Stravitz RT, Kimball P, Luketic VA, Sterling RK, Sanyal AJ, Fisher RA, Cotterell AH, Maluf DG, Posner MP, Mills SA, Contos M, and Shiffman ML. Influence of Class II Human Leukocyte Antigens on Recurrent Hepatitis C and Graft Survival In Liver Transplant Recipients. Oral presentation American Transplant Congress, John B. Hynes Convention Center, Boston, MA May 15-19, 2004. Am Journal of Transplantation: 8 (4): Ab # 921 p 410, 2004.
Heuman DM, Abou-assi SG, Habib A, Williams LM, Fisher RA, Mihas AA. Scrib: A simple objective index outperforms MELD and Childs-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) scores as a predictor of early cirrhotic mortality in US Veterans referred for liver transplant (LT). Abstract oral presentation at Digestive Disease Week in the Morial Convention Center In New Orleans Louisiana, May 15-20 2004.
Shiffman ML, Luketic VA, Sterling RK, Sanyal AJ, Sterling RK, Stravitz RT, Fisher RA, Maluf DG, Cotterell AH, and Posner MP. Fibrosis Progression In Patients with Recurrent Hepatitis C Following Living Donor and Cadaveric Liver Transplantation. Oral presentation during Plenary Session I at the Tenth Annual International Liver Transplantation Society Congress in Kyoto Japan, June 9- June 12, 2004.
Fisher RA, Hepatocyte transplantation in adults. Cell Transplant Society 7th International Congress, Boston, MA, November 20, 2004.
Fisher RA, New Possibilities of Therapy: Hepatocyte TX Symposium II Liver Transplant. Oral presentation. Transplantation Singapore Asia; December 1-4, 2004
Olthoff KM, Abecassis MM, Fair J, Fisher RA, Freise CH, Ghobrial RM, Kam I, Merion RM, Pruett TL, Edmond JC, Factors Associated With Graft Failure and Outcome In 354 Adult Living Donor Liver Transplants (ALDLT): American Surgical Association; A Report From The A2All Consortium, presentation at the 125th Annual Meeting April 4-16, 2005 at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida.
Olbrish ME, Bendedict SM, Cropsey KL, Fisher RA, Psychological, social and behavioral characteristics of living donor candidates for adult liver transplantation. Oral presentation presented at the 6th Bienniel Conference, on Psychiatric and Psychosocial and Ethical Issues in Organ Transplantation, Santa Monica, California February 5, 2005.
Kimball PM, Baker M, Fisher RA. Donor IL 16 and TNF Gene Polymorphisms Influence HCV Recurrence and Severity After Liver Transplantation. Oral presentation presented at the American Transplant Congress 2005 meeting at Washington State Convention and Trade Center, Seattle, WA, May 21-25, 2005
Hung PD, Shiffman ML, Stravitz TR, Sterling RK, Luketic VA, Sanyal AJ, Mills AS, Contos MJ, Maluf DG, Cotterell AA, Posner MP, Fisher RA. Liver Transplant Complications II, Monday May 25, 2005 Progression of Hepatic Sarcoidosis To Cirrhosis and The Impact of Liver Transplantation. (LT) Oral Presentation at the American Transplant Congress 2005 meeting at the Washington State Convention Center, Seattle, WA, May 21-25, 2005 Am Journal of Transplantation: 5: Ab # 704 p 336, 2005.
Yilmaz N, Shiffman ML, Stravitz TR, Sterling RK, Luketic VA, Sanyal AJ, Mills AS, Contos MJ, Maluf DM, Cotterell A, Posner MP, Fisher RA. Fibrosis Progression and Graft Loss in Patients with Recurrent HCV Following Liver Transplant (LT): The Impact of Allograft Rejection. Oral presentation 2005 meeting at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center, Seattle, Washington May 21-25, 2005. Am Journal of Transplantation: 5: Ab # 1641 p 572, 2005.
Yilmaz N, Shiffman ML, Stravitz TR, Sterling RK, Luketic VA, Sanyal AJ, Mills AS, Contos MJ, Maluf DM, Cotterell A, Posner MP, Fisher RA. The Use of Older Donors is Associated With Reduced Survival But Does Not Worsen The Severity of Recurrent HCV Following Liver Transplantation (LT): Oral Presentation at the American Transplant Congress 2005 meeting at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center, Seattle, Washington, May 21-25, 2005. Am Journal of Transplantation: 5: Ab # 1634 p 572, 2005.
Kimball PM, Baker M, Fisher RA. Donor IL16 and TNF Gene Polymorphisms Influence HCV Recurrence and Severity After liver Transplantation. Oral Presentation at the American Transplant Congress 2005 meeting at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center, Seattle, Washington, May 21-25, 2005. Am Journal of Transplantation: 5: Ab # 477 p 277, 2005.
Mas VR, Maluf DG, Archer KJ, Yanek K, Williams B, Fisher RA. Predicting Post-Transplant Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) Outcomes in HCV Patients Using Molecular Markers. Oral presentation accepted for World Transplant Congress 2006 meeting at the John B. Hynes Convention Center, Boston, Massachusetts, July 22 –27, 2006.
Stravitz RT, Heuman DM, Chand N, Shiffman ML, Maluf DG, Cotterell AH, Posner MP, Williams B, Sterling RK, Luketic VA, Habib A, Mihas AA, Gavis E, Fisher RA. Liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Relationship Between Alpha-Fetoprotein and Outcome. Poster presentation accepted for World Transplant Congress 2006 meeting at the John B. Hynes Convention Center, Boston, Massachusetts, July 22 –27, 2006.
Stravitz RT, Heuman DM, Chand N, Shiffman ML, Maluf DG, Cotterell AH, Posner MP, Williams B, Sterling RK, Luketic VA, Habib A, Mihas AA, Gilles HS, Fisher RA. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the era of liver transplantation (LT): Recognition of cirrhosis and quality of cancer surveillance (Srv) as determinants of outcome. Oral presentation accepted for World Transplant Congress 2006 meeting at the John B. Hynes Convention Center, Boston, Massachusetts, July 22 –27, 2006.
Ghobrial RM, Freise CE, Trotter JF, Tong L, Ojo AO, Fair JH, Fisher RA, Kinkhabwala MM, Koffron AJ, Pruett TL, Olthoff KM and the A2ALL Study Group. Donor Morbidity And Mortality of Adult-to-Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation. Oral presentation presented at the World Transplant Congress 2006 meeting at the John B. Hynes Convention Center, Boston, Massachusetts, July 22-27, 2006.
Trotter JF, Terrault NA, Kinkhabwala MM, Weinrieb RM, Merion RM, Wisniewski KA, Fair JH, Fisher RA, Koffron AJ, Saab S and the A2ALL Study Group. Evaluation Of Donor Candidates For Adult-to-Adult Living Donor Transplantation. Oral presentation presented at the World Transplant Congress 2006 meeting at the John B. Hynes Convention Center, Boston, Massachusetts, July 22-27, 2006.
Berg CL, Gillespie CW, Merion RM, Brown Jr. RS, Abecassis MM, Everhart JE, Fair JH, Fisher RA, Freise CE, Ghobrial RM, Shaked A, Trotter JF and that A2ALL Study Group. Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation Reduces Transplant Candidate Mortality. Oral presentation presented at the World Transplant Congress 2006 meeting at the John B. Hynes Convention Center, Boston, Massachusetts, July 22-27, 2006.
Shaked A, Ghobrial RM, Merion RM, Shearon TH, Emond JC, Fair JH, Fisher RA, Kulek LM, Pruett TL, Terrault NA and the A2ALL Study Group. Biopsy Proven Rejection Rate is Equivalent in Recipient Undergoing Living Donor vs. Deceased Donor Liver Transplantation. Oral presentation presented at theWorld Transplant Congress 2006 meeting at the John B. Hynes Convention Center, Boston, Massachusetts, July 22-27, 2006.
Olbrisch ME, Cropsey, KL, Benedict SM, Ashworth, A, and Fisher RA. Characteristics of Persons seeking to become Adult-to-Adult Living Donor Liver Donors: A Single U.S. Center Experience with 150 Donor Candidates. Oral presentation presented at the Conference Initiating a European Platform Organ Transplantation: Ethical, Legal and Psychological Aspects Towards a Common European Policy, April 1-4, 2007, Rotterdamn, The Netherlands.
Maluf DG, Salzberg AD, Fisher RA, Cotterell AH, Behnke MK, and Posner MP. Institutional Financial Impact Of Using Extended Criteria Donors In Liver Transplantation: Oral Presentation. American Transplant Congress May 5-9, 2007.
Mas VR, Maluf DG, Archer KJ, Yanek K, Gibney E, King A, Cotterell AH, Fisher RA, and Posner MP. Insights of The Molecular Pathways Involved In Chronic Allograft Nephropathy. Oral Presentation. American Transplant Congress May 5-9, 2007.
Mas VR, Dumur C, Fisher RA, Yanek K, Gibney G, King A, Cotterell AH, Posner MP, and Maluf DG. Differentuially Expressed Genes in Deceased Kidneys Undergoing Pump Perfusion Preservation. Oral Presentation. American Transplant Congress May 5-9, 2007.
Mas VR, Fisher RA, Archer KJ, Yanek K, and Maluf DG. Angiogenesis Soluable Factors as HCC Markers for Monitoring HCV Cirrhotic Patients. Oral Presentation. American Transplant Congress May 5-9, 2007.
Maluf DG, Fisher RA, Mas LA, Cotterell AH, Mas VR, Stravitz RT, Behnke MK, and Posner MP. Effectiveness of the Use of Rabbit Anti-Thymoglobulin for the Treatment of Acute Cellular Rejection in Liver Transplantation. Poster Presentation. American Transplant congress May 5-9, 2007.
Maluf DG, Mas VR, Fisher RA, Yanek K, Archer KJ, Gibney E, King A, Cotterell AH, Dumur C, and Posner MP. Distinctive Gene Expression Patterns in donor Kidneys Developing Delayed Graft Function. Oral Presentation. American Transplant Congress May 5-9, 2007.
Mas VR, Mas LA, Fisher RA, Archer KJ, Yanek K, King A, Gibney E, Cotterell AH, Posner MP, and Maluf DG. Study of MRNAs in Urine Samples of Kidney Transplant Recipients as Indicators of Allograft Function. Poster Presentation. American Transplant Congress May 5-9, 2007.
Archer KJ, Mas RV, Maluf DG, and Fisher RA. Bootstrap aggregation for Ordinal Response Prediction in High-Throughput Genomic Datasets. International Biometric Society (ENAS): March 16-19, 2008
Shaked A, Ghobrial RM, Merion RM, Shearon TH, Emond JC, Fair JH, Fisher RA, Kulik LM, Pruett TL, and Terrault NA. Association of Cold Ischemia Time and Acute Rejection After Living Donor and Deceased Donor Liver Transplantion. Oral Presentation; American Transplant Congress: May 31-June 4, 2008.
Heuman DM, Yilmaz N, Stravitz RT, Gilles HS, and Fisher RA. MELD-Na90: An Improved Index for Predicting Pre-liver Transplant Mortality in Cirrhotic Patients. American Transplant Congress: May 31-June 4, 2008.
Shaikh TA, Sterling RK, Shiffman ML, Fisher RA, Cotterell AH, Maluf DG, Posner MP, Ashworth A, Akyeamong M and Stravitz RT. Adverse Effects and Poor Tolerance of Sirolimus (SIR) in Liver Transplant (LT) Recipients. American Transplant Congress: May 31-June 4, 2008.
Culbert DJ, Sterling RK, Shiffman ML, Ashworth A, Luketic VA, Fisher RA, and Stravitz RT. Predictors of Response to Antiviral Therapy for Recurrent Hepatitis C in Liver Transplant Recipients. American Transplant Congress: May 31-June 4, 2008.
Mas VR, Maluf DG, Archer KJ, Yanek K, Levesque S, Kong X, Stravitz RT and Fisher RA. Gene Expression Patterns in Acute Cellular Rejection and Hepatitis C Recurrence Post-Liver Transplantation. American Transplant Congress: May 31-June 4, 2008.
Mas VR, Maluf DG, Archer KJ, Yanek K and Fisher RA. Genes Associated to HCV-HCC Progression and Recurrence in the Presence of Competing Risks. Pending; Joint International Congress of ILTS, ELITA & LICAGE: July 9-12, 2008.
Mas VR, Maluf DG, Archer KJ, Yanek K and Fisher RA. Genome Wide Hypermethylation and its association with Gene Expression Profiles in the Molecular Pathogenesis of HCV-Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Pending; Joint International Congress of ILTS, ELITA & LICAGE: July 9-12, 2008.
Maluf DG, Mas VR, Archer KJ, Yanek K, Cotterell AH, Fisher RA and Posner MP. Expression Profiles in Donor Kidneys: Distinctive Gene Patterns Associated with Age and Graft Function. American Transplant Congress: May 31-June 4, 2008.
Archer KJ, Mas VR, Maluf DG, and FisherRA. High-throughput Assessment of CpG Site Methylation in HCV-infected Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients. American Transplant Congress: May 31-June 4, 2008.
Mas VR, Maluf DG, Archer KJ, Yanek K and Fisher RA. Searching for Early Non-Invasive Markers of HCC in HCV Cirrhotic Patients using Protein Profile Expression. American Transplant Congress: May 31-June 4, 2008.
Mas VR, Maluf DG, Archer KJ, Yanek K, Kong X, and Fisher RA. Genes Involved in Viral Carcinogenesis and Tumor Initiation in Patients with HCV-Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma. American Transplant Congress: May 31-June 4, 2008.
Fassnacht R, Maluf DG, Archer KJ, Yanek K, Posner MP, Fisher RA and Mas VR. Molecular mechanisms involved in the interaction effects of alcohol and HCV in liver cirrhosis. American Transplant Congress: May 30- June 3, 2009
Maluf DG, Archer KJ, Yanek K, Cotterell AH, Sharma A, Posner MP, Fisher RA, King A and Mas VR. Time-zero biopsy gene expression data predict short and long term outcomes post kidney transplantation. American Transplant Congress: May 30- June 3, 2009
Archer KJ, Mas VR, Maluf DG, Bornstein K and Fisher RA. Identifying genes for establishing a mutagenic test for HCC surveillance in HCV+ cirrhotic patients. American Transplant Congress: May 30- June 3, 2009
Potter A, Maluf DG, Suh J, Whitehill B, Yanek K, Fisher RA, Posner MP, King A and Mas VR. Overexpression of microRNAs associated with tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis post kidney transplantation. American Transplant Congress: May 30- June 3, 2009
Archer KJ, Williams A, Fisher RA, Vitazka P, Ferreira-Gonzalez A, Maluf DG and Mas VR. Identifying microRNAs involved in the regulation of gene expression in HCV-induced HCC progression. American Transplant Congress: May 30- June 3, 2009
Whitehill B, Maluf DG, Archer KJ, Yanek K, Stravitz RT, Fisher RA, Posner MP, Cotterell AH and Mas VR. Genetic variants of interferon-induced genes in HCV recurrence post liver transplantation. American Transplant Congress: May 30- June 3, 2009
Archer KJ, Mas VR, Maluf DG and Fisher RA. Genome wide hypermethylation and its association with gene expression profiles in the molecular pathogenesis of HCV-induced hepatocellular carcinoma. American Transplant Congress: May 30- June 3, 2009
Yanek K, Maluf DG, Archer KJ, King A, Posner MP, Cotterell AH, Fisher RA, Sharma A and Mas VR. Molecular profiles in donor kidney biopsies associated with warm isquemia time. American Transplant Congress: May 30- June 3, 2009
Books and/or Chapters:
Fisher RA, Fung JJ. Monotherapy in Liver Transplant Recipients. Transplantation Updates April 2006, 1:4
Olbrisch ME, Benedict SM, Cropsey K, Ashworth A and Fisher RA, Characteristics of Persons seeking to Become Adult to Adult Living Donors: A Single U.S. Center Experience with 150 Donor Candidates, Ethical, Legal and Psychological Aspects of Organ Transplantation. 261-269, Weimar, Bos, and Basschbach (Eds.), Pabst Science Publishers, Lengerich, Germany; 2008.
Fisher RA and Mas VR, Cell Transplant Techniques: Engraftment Detection of Cells, Hepatocyte Transplantation; Methods in Molecular Biology, Volume 481, 1-9. Dhawan and Hughes (Eds.), Humana Press, New York; 2009.
Special Interests:
Transplantation
Immunology
Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Living Donor Liver Transplantation
Research Interests:
Clinical Trials:
1. A One Year, Multicenter, Partially Blinded, Double-Dummy, Randomized Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of FTY720 Combined with Reduced-Dose or Full-Dose Neoral® and Corticosteroids versus Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF, Cellcept®) Combined with Full-Dose Neoral® and Corticosteroids, in de novo Adult Renal Transplant Recipients.(FTY720)
This exciting study sponsored by Novartis and involving renal transplant patients, will evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a new kind of immunosuppressant. FTY720 works in a way that preserves infection fighting mechanisms in the body while preventing rejection of the transplanted kidney. Dr. Robert A. Fisher is the Principal Investigator.
2. A Multicenter, Randomized, Double blind, Parallel Group Trial to Demonstrate the Efficacy of Fondaparinux Sodium in Association with Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Versus Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Used Alone for the Prevention of Venous Thromboembolic Events in High-Risk Patients Undergoing Major Abdominal Surgery (EFC3558)
This clinical trial, sponsored by Sanofi-Synthelabo, studies the effectiveness of the drug Fondaparinux Sodium in prevention of deep vein thrombosis following abdominal surgery. This drug has already been found to be effective following orthopedic surgery and is FDA approved for this use. It is hoped that the drug will prove a safe, effective therapy for patients at risk for this potentially devastating complication of abdominal surgery. The Principal Investigator is Dr. Robert A. Fisher.
3. A Randomized, Open-Label, Comparative Evaluation of Conversion from Calcineurin Inhibitor Treatment To Sirolimus Treatment Versus Continued Calcineurin Inhibitor Treatment in Liver Allograft Recipients Undergoing Maintenance Therapy (0468H-313)
This study, sponsored by Wyeth, will attempt to evaluate the effectiveness of the immunosuppressant sirolimus for preservation of renal function in liver transplant patients. Historically, patients have been converted to sirolimus immunosuppressive therapy at the onset of renal insufficiency related to calcineurin inhibitors. This study will evaluate efficacy of sirolimus in the prevention of renal insufficiency. Dr. Robert A. Fisher is the Principal Investigator.
5. Adult to Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation Cohort Study
Sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, this is a multi-center, five year study of both living donors and their recipients. It includes a retrospective arm that will entail extensive data retrieval and a prospective arm to track patient progress. There is a sub-study, written by Dr. Robert Fisher and Dr. Valeria Mas that will study Hepatocellular Carcinoma on the molecular level in this patient population as well. Dr. Robert A. Fisher and Dr. Mitchell Shiffman are Co-Principal Investigators in this study.
6. Hepatic Regeneration in Donors and Recipients following Living Donor Liver Transplantation
This study is to evaluate regeneration of liver tissue in both recipients and donors of transplanted livers. It includes, for example, determination of which factors are most critical to regeneration, to discover markers that will parallel normal regeneration and the relationships that may occur between regeneration and growth factors. Dr. Robert A. Fisher is the Principal Investigator.
7. The Use of Human Hepatocyte Transplantation as a Life support Bridge in Terminal Liver Failure
The purpose of this research is to gain knowledge about the result of infusing liver cells, carefully matched to blood type, into a subject’s body. The hope is that is procedure will aid functions of the liver and prevent death, enable a transplant procedure to be carried out if a donated liver becomes available and lessen complications in postoperative recovery. The Principal Investigator is Dr. Robert A. Fisher.
8. Cryptococcus neoformans Infection in Organ Transplant Recipients: Impact of Immunosuppressive Agent Resistance and Virulence Factors on Tissue Tropism, and Outcome
This study is being undertaken with Dr. Nina Singh at the University of Pittsburg under and NIH grant along with 14 other sites in the country. It will study several aspects of the infective agent Cryptococcus to try to discover a better way to fight the organism in transplant patients. Dr. Robert Fisher is the Principal Investigator.
9. Liver Tissue Procurement and Distribution System (LTPADS)
This NIH sponsored program is in place to procure, store and distribute normal and diseased liver tissue to researchers worldwide. Dr. Robert A. Fisher is the Principal Investigator.
10. Studies of Pediatric Liver Transplantation (SPLIT), A Multicenter Prospective Study to Collect Scientific Data on Pediatric Liver Transplantation
This NIH sponsored study is designed to help the transplant community better understand the problems and potential solutions surrounding liver transplantation in children. Data is collected on patient graft survival, incidents of rejection, growth, immunosuppressants, risk factors, mortality and morbidity. The data is periodically analyzed and shared with the community. Dr. Robert A. Fisher is the Principal Investigator.
11. Transplant Registry
The Transplant Registry is an IRB approved data base with information gathered from medical records of patients with conditions relating or leading to transplantation. This data base has been invaluable in evaluating efficacy of treatments and in the publication of papers for professional journals. Dr. Robert Fisher is the Principal Investigator.
Laboratory Studies:
1. Liver cells transplantation
In our research laboratories, we established a steady method to isolate human liver cells. Liver cells transplantation has been used in our group to bridge the patients who have liver function failure. By using human liver cells, we genetically engineered human insulin gene and made the cells expressing mature, functional human insulin. The goal is to create factories of blood sugar-regulating cells in the liver that one day may be used in the treatment of patients with severe diabetes. Because liver cells are the only cells in the body that can continually regenerate, they are not vulnerable to autoimmune disease that destroys islet cells in people with diabetes. Dr. Robert A. Fisher is the Principal Investigator.
2. Organ Transplant Tolerance Studies
Animal model of renal transplantation was created in our research laboratories. Kidney of ACI rat was transplanted into Lewis rat. Mechanisms of tolerance of allografts were investigated by analysis of functional data, renal histological structures and cytokines profiles. Our past studies have demonstrated that Th-2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-10) played key role in the long-term tolerance. One of our ongoing projects is the investigation of the early stages of cytokines profile. These studies could improve our understanding of transplant tolerance. Dr. Robert A. Fisher is the Principal Investigator.
Contact Information:
P.O Box 980254
1101 East Marshall Street
Sanger Hall 8-012
Richmond, VA
23298-0254
Phone: 804-828-2461
Fax: 804-828-2462
E-mail: rafisher@vcu.edu