Shernan Holtan

Biography:

My research is primarily focused on the development of regenerative supportive therapies and advanced monitoring strategies for inflammatory complications following transplantation and cell therapy. My approach aims to promote normal tissue repair and resilience as an alternative to increasing immune suppression in the prevention and treatment of acute Graft-versus-Host Disease (GVHD) and post-transplant muscle loss.

I have conducted extensive studies in clinical and translational research, notably in the identification of novel tissue repair growth factors and pathways that are crucial for prognosis in GVHD cases. A significant achievement in this domain is the development of a longitudinal monitoring biomarker, amphiregulin (AREG), which has been validated through samples obtained from prospective, multicenter studies. Furthermore, my investigations into the gene expression patterns in rectosigmoid biopsies from patients suffering from life-threatening GVHD have revealed critical insights, indicating that DNA damage, cellular senescence, and stress responses are significant factors contributing to the ineffectiveness of standard immunosuppression therapies.

As the principal investigator of various observational and interventional clinical trials, including investigator-initiated studies, I have contributed to the advancement of our understanding of GVHD. This includes supporting Dr. Brian Betts in identifying the pathogenic expression of CD83 in lymphocyte subsets in both acute and chronic GVHD. This also includes establishment of post-transplant cyclophosphamide-based GVHD prophylaxis as the standard method of GVHD prevention through multicenter clinical trial leadership.

In addition to my professional pursuits, I am deeply engaged in personal interests that complement my professional work. I have a strong background in strength training and have previously set national and state records in powerlifting. This personal passion has been integrated into my professional work, leading to the development of clinical trials that focus on strength-based supportive care for individuals recovering from cancer therapy. Additionally, I am learning to play the bass guitar, which offers a refreshing counterbalance to my research activities.