Translational Research in Gastrointestinal Cancer and Pancreatitis
The Dudeja-Iyer Lab Lab, led by Dr. Vikas Dudeja and Dr. Srikanth Iyer, focuses on one goal: translating scientific discoveries into better treatments for patients.
The lab studies gastrointestinal cancers—including pancreatic, liver and colon—as well as acute and chronic pancreatitis. By understanding how these diseases develop and progress, the team is working to identify new therapies and improve outcomes for patients with limited treatment options.
“Our mission is to identify novel cures while also understanding the mechanisms behind these diseases. That knowledge opens new avenues for therapy.”
Research Focus Areas
Gastrointestinal Cancers
Studying pancreatic, liver and colon cancers to understand tumor growth, spread and treatment resistance.
Pancreatitis
Developing new approaches for acute and chronic pancreatitis, where current care is largely limited to symptom management.
Tumor Biology and Signaling
Investigating how cancer cells grow and communicate to identify new therapeutic targets.
Gut Microbiome
Exploring how the microbiome influences cancer development and response to therapies like immunotherapy.
Current efforts include:
- Advancing new pancreatitis therapies into clinical trials
- Understanding resistance to immunotherapy
- Identifying biomarkers to guide treatment decisions
Translational Impact
A defining strength of the Dudeja Lab is its focus on moving discoveries toward patient care.
“We always start by asking how this work can be applied to patients,”
-Srikanth Iyer, PhD, Assistant Professor General Surgery
Key Challenges and Innovations
Improving Immunotherapy Response
Immunotherapy has transformed cancer care, but many patients—especially those with pancreatic cancer—do not benefit. The lab is working to understand why and to identify which patients are most likely to respond, with the goal of enabling more personalized treatment.
Addressing Unmet Needs in Pancreatitis
There are currently no FDA-approved therapies that directly treat pancreatitis. The lab is developing new therapies based on mechanistic insights, with early work already advancing into clinical trials.
Training and Mentorship
The lab provides a hands-on research environment for residents, fellows, and students.
Trainees participate in active projects and gain experience in study design, grant writing, and collaboration. The lab emphasizes ownership, mentorship, and work that has direct clinical relevance.
Many trainees go on to competitive residency programs and careers in academic medicine.
Collaboration and Environment
The Dudeja Lab collaborates across the University of Iowa and with institutions nationwide. By working across models and teams, the lab better reflects the complexity of disease in real patients and accelerates the path to clinical impact.
“Training future physician-scientists and researchers is an essential part of our mission. We strive to create an environment where trainees can develop the skills, independence, and scientific curiosity needed to advance both research and patient care,”
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Looking Ahead
With multiple projects moving toward clinical application, the Dudeja-Iyer Lab is focused on:
- Expanding clinical trials for pancreatitis therapies
- Improving patient selection for cancer treatments
- Advancing microbiome-based approaches
For trainees and collaborators, the lab offers the opportunity to contribute to research that is both scientifically rigorous and directly connected to patient care.
Srikanth Iyer
Assistant Professor - General Surgery
“We are working toward solutions that can truly improve patients’ lives,”