Chief of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Department of Surgery, Carolinas Medical Center
UCLA, Division of Neurosurgery

Education/Training
Institution & Location Degree Year Field of Study
Tufts University B.Sc.
Cum Laude  1987 Biology
Dartmouth Medical School Certificate of Completion 1989 Pre-clinical sciences
Brown University School of Medicine MD 1991 Medicine
Brown University Program in General Surgery Certificate of Completion 1992 Internship in General Surgery
Brown University Program in General Surgery Certificate of Completion 1996 Residency in General Surgery
The Cleveland Clinic Foundation Certificate of Completion 1997 Fellowship in Pancreatic and Hepatobiliary Surgery

A. Positions and Honors
Awards/Honors
2001- Dean’s Teaching Excellence Award, Brown University School of Medicine

1996- Resident Teaching Award, Presented by the Surgical Residents of Brown University Program in General Surgery

1995- Resident Teaching Award, Presented by the Surgical Residents of Brown University Program in General Surgery

1994- Resident Teaching Award, Presented by Brown University M.D. Class of 1994

Academic Appointments
2006 – Pres.- Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery
University of North Carolina School of Medicine
Chapel Hill, North Carolina

2005 – 2006- Associate Professor of Surgery
Brown Medical School, Providence, RI

1997 – 2005- Assistant Professor of Surgery
Brown Medical School, Providence, RI

1995 – 1996- Assistant Clinical Instructor of Surgery
Brown Medical School, Providence, RI

Hospital Appointments
2006 – Pres.- Chief, HepatoPancreaticoBiliary Surgery
Department of General Surgery
Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC

1997 – 2006- Active Staff, Department of Surgery
Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI

1999 – 2006- Courtesy Staff, Department of Surgery

1997 – 1999- Associate Active Staff, Department of Surgery
St. Joseph Health Services of Rhode Island, North Providence, RI

1997 - 2006- Courtesy Staff, Department of Surgery
Women and Infants Hospital, Providence, RI

1998 - 2006- Courtesy Staff, Department of Surgery
Roger Williams Medical Center, Providence, RI

Membership In Societies
American Society of Clinical Oncology
Advisiory board for Oncology Spectrum: Advances in Treatment Options for Clinical Oncologists
2006 to present

Society of Surgical Oncology
2005 to Present

New England Surgical Society
2004 to present

Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract (SSAT)
1997 to present
Menbership Committee, Northeast District 2003-2006

Americas Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association (AHPBA)
1997 to present
Program Committee 2005 – 2007
Program Committee 2003 - 2005
Research and Education Committee 2001 – 2003

International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association (IHPBA)
2003 to present

Association of Academic Surgery
1998 to present

Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES)
1998 to present

American Medical Association
1996 to present

American College of Surgeons Oncology Group
Principal Investigator for Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI
2000 – 2006

American College of Surgeons, Rhode Island Chapter / Providence Surgical Society
Hospital Representative
2000 – 2006

Rhode Island Chapter of the American College of Surgeons / Providence Surgical Society (Affiliate member)
1997 to 2006

B. Peer Reviewed Publications (Partial Listing)
Journal Articles
1. Iannitti DA, Henderson JM. The role of surgery in the treatment of portal hypertension. Clinics in Liver Disease; 1(1): 99-114, May 1997.

2. Iannitti DA, Henderson JM. Surgery in portal hypertension. Bailliere’s Clinical Gastroenterology; 11(2):351-364, Jun 1997.

3. Heniford BT, Iannitti DA, Gagner M. Laparoscopic inferior and superior lumbar hernia repair. Archives of Surgery. 132:1141-1144, Oct 1997.

4. Iannitti DA, Heniford BT, Vargo J, Gagner, M. Percutaneous transgastric needlescopic pancreatic cystgastrostomy. Surgical Endoscopy 11:S180, 1997.

5. Heniford BT, Iannitti DA, Hale J, Gagner M. The role of intraoperative ultrasonography during laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Surgery; 122(6):1068-1073, Dec 1997.

6. Feldberg RS, Iannitti DA, Cochrane DE. Histidine decarboxylase from rat mast cells. Enhanced recovery in cell-free extracts and isotopic labelling. Biochemical Journal. 249:297-300, Jan 1988.

7. Lessen MS, Luks FI, Wesselhoeft CW Jr, Gilchrist BF, Iannitti D, DeLuca FG. Peritoneal drainage as definitive treatment for intestinal perforation in infants with extremely low birth weight (<750 g). Journal of Pediatric Surgery; 33(2):370-372, Feb 1998.

8. Iannitti DA, Heniford T, Hale J, Grundfest-Broniatowski S, Gagner M. Laparoscopic cryoablation of hepatic metastases. Archives of Surgery 133(9):1011-1015, Sep 1998.

9. Heniford BT, Arca MJ, Iannitti DA, Walsh RM, Gagner M. Laparoscopic cryoablation of hepatic metastases. Semin Surg Oncol; 15(3):194-201, Oct-Nov 1998.

10. Iannitti DA, Heniford BT, Walsh RM. Ventral duct pancreaticolithiasis in pancreas divisum. American Surgeon; 64(11):1030-1032, Nov 1998.

11. Iannitti DA, The role of laparoscopy in the management of pancreatic cancer. Frontiers in Bioscience; 3:e181-185, Nov. 1998.

12. Safran H, Cioffi W, Iannitti D, Mega A, Akerman P. Paclitaxel and concurrent radiation for locally advanced pancreatic carcinoma. Frontiers in Bioscience; 3: e204-206, Nov 1998.

13. Iannitti DA, Heniford BT, Evans P, Gagner M, Henderson JM. Primary non-ampullary / peri-ampullary adenocarcinoma of the duodenum. American Surgeon; 64(12):1165-1169, Dec 1998.

14. Heniford BT, Iannitti DA, Evans P, Gagner M, Henderson JM. Primary nonampullary/ periampullary adenocarcinoma of the duodenum. Am Surg 64(12):1165-1169, Dec 1998.

15. Backus CL, Muscoriel SJ, Iannitti DA, Heniford BT. Laparoscopic repair of the leaking percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech; 10(2):105-109, Apr 2000.

16. Mayo-Smith WW, Iannitti DA, Dupuy DE. Intraoperative sonographically guided wire cannulation of the pancreatic duct for patients undergoing a Puestow procedure. Am J Roentgenol; 175(6):1639-1640, 2000.

17. Bunyaviroch T, Iannitti DA. Midgut malrotation in the adult: diagnosis, treatment, and case report. Contemporary Surgery; 56(6):370-379, Jun 2000.

18. Iannitti DA, Dupuy DE. Minimally invasive management of hepatic metastases. Seminars in Laparoscopic Surgery, Vol 7(2):118-128, Jun 2000.

19. Mayo-Smith WW, Iannitti DA, Dupuy DE. Intraoperative sonographically-guided wire cannulation of the pancreatic duct for patients undergoing a Puestow procedure. AJR Americal Journal of Roentgenology; 175(6):1639-1640. Dec 2000.

20. Safran H, Moore T, Iannitti D, DiPetrillo T, Akerman P, Cioffi W, Harrington D, Quirk D, Rathore R, Cruff D, Vakharia J, Vora S, Savarese D, Wanebo H. Paclitaxel and concurrent radiation for locally advanced pancreatic cancer. Int J Rad Oncol Biol Phys; 49(5):1275-1279, Apr 2001.

21. Safran H, Steinhoff M, Mangray S, Rathore R, King TC, Chai L, Berzein K, Moore T, Iannitti D, Reiss P, Pasquariello T, Akerman P, Quirk D, Mass R, Goldstein L, Tantravahi U. Overexpression of the HER-2/neu oncogene in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. American Journal of Clincal Oncology; 24(5): 496-499, 2001.

22. DiPetrillo T, Iannitti D, Rich T, Cruff D, Quirk D, Akerman P, Cioffi W, Vakharia K, Safran H. Gemcitabine, paclitaxel, and radiation for locally advanced pancreatic cancer: A phase I trial. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 51(3) suppl:30-31, Nov 2001.

23. Dupuy DE, Iannitti D. Radiofrequency ablation: A minimally invasive local treatment option for solid tumors. Prob Gen Surg; 19(2):65-73, 2002.

24. Herzig DO, Iannitti DA. The posterior approach to inguinal hernia repair. Prob in Gen Surg 19(4): 36-41, 2002.

25. Iannitti DA, Dupuy DE, Mayo-Smith WW, Murphy B. Hepatic radiofrequency ablation. Arch Surg; 137:422-427, Apr. 2002.

26. Iannitti DA. Advances in hepatic surgery. Med Health RI 85(6):176-179, Jun 2002.

27. Safran H., DiPetrillo T, Iannitti DA, Quirk D, Akerman P, Cruff D, Cioffi W, Shah S, Ramdin N, Rich T. Gemcitabine, paclitaxel, and radiation for locally advanced pancreatic cancer: A phase I trial. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys: 54(1):137-141, Sep 2002.

28. Iannitti DA, Gregg SC, Mayo-Smith WW, Tomolonis RJ, Cioffi WG, Pricolo VE. Portal venous gas detected by computed tomography: Is surgery imperative? Dig Surg; 20(4):306- 315, 2003.

29. Tsai JY, Iannitti DA, Safran H. Combined modality therapy for pancreatic cancer. Seminars in Oncology 30(4):71-79, Aug 2003.

30. Iannitti DA. Hepatocellular carcinoma. Medicine & Health, Rhode Island. 87(2):41-45, Feb 2004.

31. Safran H, Iannitti D, Ramanathan R, Schwartz JD, Steinhoff M, Nauman C, Hesketh P, Rathore R, Wolff R, Tantravahi U, Hughes TM, Maia C, Pasquariello T, Goldstein L, King T, Tsai JY, Kennedy T. Herceptin and gemcitabine for metastatic pancreas cancers that overexpress HER2/neu. Cancer Investigation 22(5):706-712, 2004.

32. Tsai JY, Iannitti D, Berkenblit A, Akerman P, Nadeem A, Rathore R, Harrington D, Roye D, Miner T, Barnett JM, Maia C, Stuart K, Safran H. Phase I study of docetaxel, capecitabine, and carboplatin in metastatic esophagogastric cancer. Am J Clin Oncol 28(4):329-333 Aug 2005.

33. Klaristenfeld DD, Mahoney E, Iannitti DA. Minimally invasive tension-free inguinal hernia repair. Surg Technol Int 14:157-163, 2005.

34. Iannitti D, DiPetrillo T, Akerman P, Barnett JM, Maia-Acuna C, Cruff D, Miner T, Martel D, Cioffi W, Remis M, Kennedy T, Safran H. Erlotinib and chemoradiation followed by maintenance erlotinib for locally advanced pancreatic cancer: A phase I study. Am J Clin Oncol 28(6):570-575, Dec 2005.

35. Iannitti DA, Varker KA, Zaydfudim V, McKee J. Subphrenic and pleural abscess due to spilled gallstones. JSLS 10(1):101-104, Jan-Mar 2006.

36. Yu NC, Lu DS, Raman SS, Dupuy DE, Simon CJ, Lassman C, Aswad BI, Iannitti D, Busuttil RW. Hepatocellular carcinoma: microwave ablation with multiple straight and loop antenna clusters – pilot comparison with pathologic findings. Radiology 239(1):269-275, Feb 2006.

37. Brunetti-Pierri N, Ng T, Iannitti DA, Palmer DJ, Beaudet AL, Finegold MJ, Carey KD, Cioffi WG, Ng P. Improved hepatic transduction, reduced systemic vector dissemination, and long-term transgene expression by delivering helper-dependent adenoviral vectors into the surgically isolated liver of nonhuman primates. Human Gene Therapy 17:391-404, Apr 2006.

38. Dipetrillo T, Milas L, Evans D, Akerman P, Ng T, Miner T, Cruff D, Chauhan B, Iannitti D, Harrington D, Safran H. Paclitaxel poliglumex (PPX-Xyotax) and concurrent radiation for esophageal and gastric cancer: a phase I study. Am J Clin Oncol 29(4):376-379, Aug 2006.

39. Heniford BT, Iannitti DA, Paton BL, Duncan B, Arca M, Kercher K. Minilaparoscopic transgastric cystgastrostomy. Am J Surg 192(2):248-251, Aug 2006.

40. Majercik S, Tsitikis V, Iannitti DA. Strength of tissue attachment to mesh after ventral hernia repair with synthetic composite mesh in a porcine model. Surgical Endoscopy; 20(11), online 1671-1674, Sep 2006.

41. Gandhi S, Iannitti DA, Mayo-Smith WW, Dupuy DE. Lipiodol-guided computed tomography for radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma. Clin Radiol 61:888-891, 2006.

42. Simon CJ, Dupuy DE, Iannitti DA, Lu DS, Yu NC, Aswad BI, Busuttil RW, Lassman C. Intraoperative triple antenna hepatic microwave ablation. AJR 187, Oct 2006.

43. Schmelzer TM, Hope WW, Iannitti DA, Kercher KW, Heniford BT. Laparoscopic colostomy takedown offers advantages over traditional surgery. J Min Access Surg 2(4):201-202, 2006.

Books/Chapters
1. Greenburg AG, Iannitti DA. Vascular Compression of the Duodenum. Mastery of Surgery, 3rd Edition, Nyhus LM & Baker RJ (Eds.). Little Brown Publishers. 1996.

2. Heniford BT, Iannitti DA, Gagner M. Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy. The Adrenal. Cerney JC (Ed.), Igaku-Shoin Medical Publishers Inc., 1996.

3. Iannitti DA, Heniford BT. Laparoscopic Cryosurgery for Liver Tumors. Advanced Techniques in Laparoscopic Surgery: Solid Organ Surgery. Gagner M (Ed.), Williams and Wilkins, 1998.

4. Heniford BT, Iannitti DA. Techniques and Instrumentation for Laparoscopic Solid Organ Resection. Advanced Techniques in Laparoscopic Surgery: Solid Organ Surgery. Gagner M (Ed.), Williams and Wilkins, 1998.

5. Iannitti DA, Dupuy D. Laparoscopic Ablation of Liver Tumors. Minimally Invasive Cancer Management. Greene F and Heniford BT (Eds.) Springer-Verlag, 2001.

6. Iannitti DA. Laparoscopic Liver Resections. Current Surgical Therapy 8th Edition. Cameron (Ed.), Eisevier-Mosby 2004.

7. Iannitti DA. Hepatic Radiofrequency Ablation: The Surgeon’s Perspecitve. Radiofrequency Ablation. MacMullen (Ed.) Springer-Verlag 2004.

8. Iannitti DA, DiPetrillo T, Safran H. Modern Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer. Atlas of Gastrointestinal Cancer. 2006.

C. Research Support:
1. Heniford BT, Gagner M, Iannitti DA, Ponski J, et al. Blinded, Randomized, Prospective, Multicenter Trial of Elective Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy with and without Antibiotics. Granted by Minimally Invasive Surgery - United States Surgical Corporation. Cleveland, OH, Novenber 1996. $86,000.

2. Heniford BT, Gagner M, Iannitti DA, Ponski J, et al. Blinded, Randomized, Prospective, Multicenter Trial of Elective Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy with and without Antibiotics. Granted by The Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons. Endoscopic / Laparoscopic Research Award. Cleveland, Ohio, January 1997. $15,000.

3. Heniford BT, Gagner M, Garcia-Ruiz, Iannitti DA, Williams-Cornish N. Evaluation of the Argon Beam Coagulator for Transcutaneous-Transgastric Control of Gastro-duodenal Hemorrhage. Minimally Invasive Surgery Grant, Valleylab Inc. Cleveland, Ohio, February 1997. $8,133.

4. BrUOG PA-77 Herceptin and Gemcitabine fro Metastatic Pancreatic Cnacers that Overexpress HER2/NEU. Co-investigator Providence, RI. February 1999 - March 2001. $114,000.

5. BrUOG PA-94 A Phase I Trial of Tarceva, Gemcitabine, Pacitaxel and Radiation for Locally Advanced Pancreas Cancer. Co-investigator. Providence, RI. January 2003 - May 2005. $80,000.

6. BrUOG HC-100 A Phase I Trial of Hepatic Arterial Infusion of Oxaliplatin in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Co-investigator. Providence, RI. July 2004 - Present. $60,000.

7. BrUOG HC-200 A Phase II Trial of PS341(Velcade) and Thalidomide for Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Co-investigator. Providence, RI. August 2004 - May 2005. $250,000 (pharmaceutical supplies)

8. Repair Strength of Soft Tissue Repair Prosthetics: A Correlated Biomechanical and Histologic Assessment. Principle Investigator. Providence, RI. March 2004 - June 2004. Davol Inc. $30,000.

9. Hepatic Bipolar Radiofrequency Ablation in the Porcine Model. Principle Investigator. Providence, RI May 2004 - present. Boston Scientific. $8,000.

10. Hepatic Microwave Ablation in Hepatic Malignancies. A Phase I Ablate and Resect Protocol. Principle Investigator. Providence, RI.Vivant Inc. October 2003 - May 2004. $25,000.

11. Hepatic Multiprobe Radiofrequency Ablation in the Porcine Model. Principle Investigator. Providence, RI. October 2004 - December 2004. Valleylab. $6,400.

12. Hepatic Microwave Ablation in Hepatic Malignancies. A Phase II Ablate and Follow Protocol. Principle Investigator. Providence, RI. Vivant/Valleylab. October 2004 - May 2005. $22,000.

Completed Awards:
Title: “Role of G-proteins in Hepatocellular Cancer Growth and Differentiation”
Awardee: Iain H. McKillop, Ph.D. (Sponsor: J.V. Sitzmann)
Agency: National Cancer Institute.
Type: NRSA (FA32 CA79198-01CA)
Period of award: 01/01/99-05/31/01
Summary: The major goal of this project was to identify altered expression and activity of Gi-proteins and MAPK cascade components in human and animal models of HCC.

Title: “Role of Ethanol on Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression”
Role on Project: Principle Investigator
Agency: National institutes for Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Type: NIH R21 Grant (AA12765)
Period of award: 06-01-01–05-31-04
Summary: The major goal of this project was to identify the direct and indirect effects of alcohol on the rate of progression of HCC growth using in vitro cell culture models of HCC. The data generated during this project forms the basis of the current proposal which aims to address in vivo mechanisms of the effects of ethanol on HCC progression from transformed cell foci.

Title: “Regulation of Benign and Malignant Hepatocyte Growth”
Role on Project: Principle Investigator
Agency: National Cancer Institute
Type: NIH R01 Grant (CA90895)
Period of award: 09/01/02–08/31/06
Summary: The major goals of this research project are to address the regulation of mitogen activated protein kinases following G-protein and/or tyrosine kinase linked receptor activation. This study determined the downstream nuclear effects of ERK activation and cellular proliferation in in vitro models of HCC.

Pending Awards:
Title: “Regulation of Benign and Malignant Hepatocyte Growth”
Role on Project: Principle Investigator (35%)
Agency: National Cancer Institute
Type: NIH R01 Grant # CA/DK-90895 (competitive renewal)
Proposed period of award: 02/01/07–01/31/12
Summary: This grant is a competitive renewal of the PI’s recently expired NIH RO1 grant. This proposal seeks to address the role of GPCR in regulating aquaporins expression and function as it pertains to early apoptotic events in models of HCC. There is no significant overlap between this project and the proposed studies.