Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine

Marisa D. Santos, PhD

Head of the Colorectal Surgery Unit of Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto;
Coordinator of Rectal Cancer Reference Center;
Head of Emergency team, General Surgical Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto;
Associate Professor, ICBAS – University of Porto

Research interests:

• Tumor biomarkers

• Tumor biology

• Tumor response to therapy

• Tumor resistance to therapeutics

Research area keywords:

Cancer, Carcinogenesis, Tumor biomarkers in Colorectal Cancer, Biomarkers of chronic inflammation, Metabolic abnormalities in rectal tumor cells, Rectal tumor response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy

Major scientific achievements:

• Prognostic and therapeutic potencial implications of genetic variability in Prostaglandin E2
  Pathway gene in rectal cancer

• Predictive model of tumor response after chemoradiation in rectal cancer

• The influence of tumor regression grade system in rectal therapy decision tree

Selected publications:

1. Predictive Clinical Model of Tumor Response after Chemoradiation in Rectal Cancer Santos M.D., Silva C., Rocha A., Nogueira C., Castro-Poças F. , Araújo A., Matos E., Pereira P. , Medeiros R., Lopes C. Oncotarget 2017: 8 (35): 58133-58151

2. Prognostic and Therapeutic Potential Implications of Genetic Variability in Prostaglandin E2 Pathway Genes in Rectal Cancer Santos, M.D., Silva C., Rocha1 A., Nogueira C., Castro-Poças F., Araujo A., Matos E., Pereira C., Medeiros R, Lopes C, Anticancer Research 2017: 37(1): 281-291.

3. Predictive Response Value of Pre and Post Chemoradiotherapy Variables in Rectal Cancer: An Analysis of Histological Data Santos M.D., Silva C., Rocha A., Nogueira C., E. Matos, Lopes C. Patholog Res Int 2016: 2164609.

4. Prognostic Value Of Mandard And Dworak Tumor Regression Grading In Rectal Cancer: Study of a Single Tertiary Center Santos, M. D., Silva C., Rocha1 A., Matos E., Nogueira C., Lopes C. ISRN Surg 2014: 310542.

5. Tumor Regression Grades – Can They Influence Rectal Cancer Therapy Decision-Tree? Santos M. D., Silva C., Rocha1 A., Matos E., Nogueira C., Lopes C, Int J Surg Oncol 2013: 572149.

Ongoing projects:

Platelet gel application on wounds as a healing enhancer

Advantages of extensive colectomy in patients with colorectal cancer and Lynch syndrome criteria

Impact in therapeutic plan of pelvic magnetic ressonance image re-staging after chemoradiation therapy in locally advanced rectal cancer

Impact of enteral nutriton in elective surgery of patients with Crohn disease

Diverticular colon disease – how to predict the need of elective surgery

Metabolic alterations in rectal cancer

Concluded projects:

Prognostic and therapeutic potencial implications of genetic variability in Prostaglandin E2 Pathway gene in rectal cancer

Predictive model of tumor response after chemoradiation in rectal cancer

The influence of tumor regression grade system in rectal therapy decision tree

Prizes, honors, awards:

Medtronic Ward – Research in Coloproctology 2017, prize assigned during XXVII: "Long term wait and see approach for diverticulitis with abscess - how safe is it?" by Sampaio M.G., Paiva C.L., Silva E.F., Silva C., Santos M.D., Digestive Surgery Service - Surgery Department of Centro Hospitalar do Porto

Medtronic Ward – Research in Coloproctology 2016, prize assigned during XXVI Congresso Nacional de Coloproctologia, November 26 and 27, 2016 "What are the risks of recurrence and complications following acute uncomplicated diverticulitis?" Results of a long-term follow-up by Sampaio M.G., Paiva C.L., Silva E.F., Silva C., Santos M.D., Digestive Surgery Service - Surgery Department of Centro Hospitalar do Porto

Medtronic Ward – Research in Coloproctology, prize assigned during XXV Congresso Nacional de Coloproctologia, November 26 and 27, 2015 - Surgical Site Infection Predictive Factors in Colorectal Surgery by Soares-Moreira P.*, Teixeira G.**, Silva C.*, Matos E.***, Santos M.D.* (*Digestive Surgery Service - Surgery Department of Centro Hospitalar do Porto; **Vascular Surgery - Surgery Departmant of Cantro Hospitalar do do Porto; ***Health Community Department of ICBAS - Biomédicas Abel Salazar).

Honorable mention of DECOMED XXIII Congresso Nacional de Coloproctologia , 2013 - paper "Tumor Regression Grades in Rectal Cancer" by Santos M.D.*, Silva C.*, Rocha C.*, Matos E.**, Nogueira C.*, Lopes C.*** (* Digestive Surgery Service - Surgery Department of Centro Hospitalar do Porto; ** Health Community Department of ICBAS - Biomédicas Abel Salazar; *** Pathologic Anatomy Service of CHP/HSA)

Awarded as the best article published in 2015 - Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer Treated With Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy and Curative Surgery: Prognostic Factors For Survival by Coloprotology Portuguese Journal by Santos, M.D., Silva C., Rocha A., Nogueira C., A., Matos E., Lopes C, Rev. Port. Coloproct. Vol.12, nº2, May-Octob, 2015: 9-18

International collaborations:

Javier Ripollés-Melchor, Professor, Infanta Leonor University Hospital - Madrid, Spain, EuroPOWER – Postoperative Outcomes Within an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Protocol

PhD thesis supervision (ongoing):

Pedro Brandão, PhD in Medical Sciences, Title Thesis - Metabolic alterations in rectal cancer: How it influences aggressiveness, response to treatment and prognosis, Estimated conclusion 2024

MSc thesis supervision (concluded):

Vitor Costa, MSc in Medicine, Title Thesis - Análise dos Parâmetros inflamatórios e infeciosos no pós operatório em doentes com Doença de Crohn, Conclusion date -2014

Hildeberto Moreira, MSc in Oncology, Title Thesis - SNP’s e resposta à terapia neoadjuvante no carcinoma do cólon e reto – Marcadores genéticos para avaliação de resposta à terapia, Conclusion date - 2015

Science and Society:

Scientific Societies Membership

• Member of SPCP (Portuguese Coloproctology Society)

• Member of Colorectal Chapter of SPCIR (Portuguese Society of Surgery)

• Coordinator of Home Parenteral Nutrition Department of APNEP (Portuguese Association of Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition).

• Member of Associação de Apoio ao Departamento de Cirurgia

Editorial Board member of Nacional and International Journals:

- Gastrointestinal Cancer: Research & Therapy

- Clinics in Surgery

- Archives of Gastroenterological Case Reports

- Surgery Clinics Journal

- Annals of Short Reports

- International Journal of Gastroenterology

- Journal of Oncology Research Forecast

- Gastrointestinal Cancer - Oncology Clinics Journal

- Revista da Sociedade Portuguesa de Coloproctologia