Ryan M Thomas

Ryan M Thomas, MD

Associate Professor With Tenure

Department: MD-SURGERY-SURGONC-PBS
Business Phone: (352) 265-0535
Business Email: ryan.thomas.md@ufl.edu

About Ryan M Thomas

Ryan M. Thomas, MD, earned his medical degree from Loyola University Chicago and completed his surgical residency at the University of Cincinnati. For two years during his residency, he was a National Institutes of Health T32 research fellow, studying the role of the RON tyrosine kinase receptor signaling that leads to pancreatic cancer progression. Following residency, he completed a two-year fellowship in Complex General Surgical Oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, which included an additional laboratory year studying chemotherapy delivery and resistance in pancreatic cancer. He is dual boarded in General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology.

Thomas currently serves on the UF Promotion and Tenure Committee and is the Chairman of the Scientific Review and Monitoring Committee for the UF Health Cancer Center as well as the director of the UF Health Cancer Center Microbiome Biorepository. He is the principal investigator on several grants investigating the role of the microbiome in pancreatic carcinogenesis within his laboratory at UF Health.

Additional Positions:
Chair, Scientific Review and Monitoring Committee
2022 – Current · UF Health Cancer Center
Director, Microbiome Biorepository
2021 – Current · UF Health Cancer Center

Teaching Profile

Courses Taught
2018
MDC7600 Surgery Clerkship
2018
MDC7602 Senior Surgery Clerk
2018
MDC6001 Intro Clin Practice

Board Certifications

  • Complex General Surgical Oncology
    American Board of Surgery
  • General Surgery
    American Board of Surgery

Clinical Profile

Areas of Interest
  • Gastrointestinal Oncology Surgery
  • Pancreatic cancer

Research Profile

Over the past 20 years I have investigated clinical and biologic factors associated with pancreatic carcinogenesis and currently I am focused on the role of the human microbiome in this disease process. My laboratory was one of the first to publish on the ability of the host microbiota to accelerate pancreatic carcinogenesis and we are currently investigating the interaction between microbiome and host immune system in pancreatic cancer progression as well as the microbial impact on the response of pancreatic cancer to chemotherapy.

Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID)

0000-0001-9251-5543

Areas of Interest
  • Microbiome
  • Pancreatic Cancer Biology
  • Surgical Oncology

Publications

2023
A phase II study of neoadjuvant liposomal irinotecan with 5-FU and oxaliplatin (NALIRIFOX) in pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
Future oncology (London, England). 19(27):1841-1851 [DOI] 10.2217/fon-2023-0256. [PMID] 37753702.
2023
Association of Medical Appointment Cancellation Rates on Survival After Esophagectomy for Esophageal Cancer
Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery. 27(1):27-34 [DOI] 10.1007/s11605-022-05491-x. [PMID] 36289186.
2023
Maestros of malignancy: Microbes as the conductors of carcinogenesis
Neoplasia. 37 [DOI] 10.1016/j.neo.2023.100887. [PMID] 36796116.
2023
Role of Bacteria in the Development of Colorectal Cancer.
Clinics in colon and rectal surgery. 36(2):105-111 [DOI] 10.1055/s-0042-1760679. [PMID] 36844716.
2023
The Influence of the microbiome on the innate immune microenvironment of solid tumors
Neoplasia. 37 [DOI] 10.1016/j.neo.2023.100878. [PMID] 36696837.
2023
The Prospect of Harnessing the Microbiome to Improve Immunotherapeutic Response in Pancreatic Cancer
Cancers. 15(24) [DOI] 10.3390/cancers15245708. [PMID] 38136254.
2022
Atezolizumab plus tivozanib for immunologically cold tumor types: the IMMCO-1 trial.
Future oncology (London, England). [DOI] 10.2217/fon-2022-0392. [PMID] 36399037.
2022
Intestinal microbiota modulates pancreatic carcinogenesis through intratumoral natural killer cells
Gut Microbes. 14(1) [DOI] 10.1080/19490976.2022.2112881. [PMID] 35980869.
2022
Routine Radiologic Assessment for Anastomotic Leak Is Not Necessary in Asymptomatic Patients After Esophagectomy for Esophageal Cancer
Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery. 26(2):279-285 [DOI] 10.1007/s11605-021-05219-3.
2022
Sepsis-Induced Myopathy and Gut Microbiome Dysbiosis: Mechanistic Links and Therapeutic Targets.
Shock (Augusta, Ga.). 57(1):15-23 [DOI] 10.1097/SHK.0000000000001843. [PMID] 34726875.
2022
Sex differences associate with late microbiome alterations after murine surgical sepsis.
The journal of trauma and acute care surgery. 93(2):137-146 [DOI] 10.1097/TA.0000000000003599. [PMID] 35324554.
2022
When is a lipoma not a lipoma? Case report presenting a lipoblastoma-like tumor of the gluteal cleft in an older gentleman with literature review.
International journal of surgery case reports. 92 [DOI] 10.1016/j.ijscr.2022.106889. [PMID] 35245849.
2021
Bacteria and Sepsis: Microbiome to the Rescue?
Journal of Clinical Medicine. 10(16) [DOI] 10.3390/jcm10163578. [PMID] 34441874.
2021
Implications of the microbiome in the development and treatment of pancreatic cancer: Thinking outside of the box by looking inside the gut.
Neoplasia (New York, N.Y.). 23(2):246-256 [DOI] 10.1016/j.neo.2020.12.008. [PMID] 33418277.
2021
Intraductal Oncocytic Papillary Neoplasm of the Pancreas
Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery. 25(1):319-321 [DOI] 10.1007/s11605-020-04638-y.
2021
Invited Commentary.
Journal of the American College of Surgeons. 232(4):514-516 [DOI] 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2020.12.042. [PMID] 33771308.
2021
Septic Stability? Gut Microbiota in Young Adult Mice Maintains Overall Stability After Sepsis Compared to Old Adult Mice.
Shock (Augusta, Ga.). 55(4):519-525 [DOI] 10.1097/SHK.0000000000001648. [PMID] 32826817.
2021
SSAT State-of-the-Art Conference: Advancements in the Microbiome.
Journal of gastrointestinal surgery : official journal of the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract. 25(7):1885-1895 [DOI] 10.1007/s11605-020-04551-4. [PMID] 32989690.
2021
Stress-related changes in the gut microbiome after trauma.
The journal of trauma and acute care surgery. 91(1):192-199 [DOI] 10.1097/TA.0000000000003209. [PMID] 34144563.
2020
Fungating Anal Mass: Extrapulmonary Small Cell Carcinoma Masquerading as a Hemorrhoid
Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery. 24(6):1441-1443 [DOI] 10.1007/s11605-019-04498-1.
2020
Microbiota in pancreatic health and disease: the next frontier in microbiome research
Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology. 17(1):53-64 [DOI] 10.1038/s41575-019-0242-7.
2020
Minimally Invasive Ivor Lewis Esophagectomy with Linear Stapled Anastomosis Associated with Low Leak and Stricture Rates.
Journal of gastrointestinal surgery : official journal of the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract. 24(8):1729-1735 [DOI] 10.1007/s11605-019-04320-y. [PMID] 31317458.
2020
Patient-derived xenografts in surgical oncology: A short research review.
Surgery. 168(6):1021-1025 [DOI] 10.1016/j.surg.2020.07.031. [PMID] 33010939.
2020
Protein Signatures and Tissue Diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer.
Journal of the American College of Surgeons. 230(1):26-36.e1 [DOI] 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2019.10.002. [PMID] 31672677.
2020
Proton Pump Inhibitor Use After Hiatal Hernia Repair: Inhibitor of Recurrent Symptoms and Potential Revisional Surgery
Journal of Surgical Research. 256:570-576 [DOI] 10.1016/j.jss.2020.07.033.
2019
Extrahepatic Neuroendocrine Tumor Causing Biliary Obstruction
Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery. 23(6):1266-1268 [DOI] 10.1007/s11605-018-4048-7.
2019
Packed red blood cell donor age affects overall survival in transfused patients undergoing hepatectomy for non-hepatocellular malignancy
The American Journal of Surgery. 217(1):71-77 [DOI] 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2018.08.011.
2019
Reply to: Preoperative enteral access is not necessary prior to multimodality treatment of esophageal cancer
Surgery. 166(1) [DOI] 10.1016/j.surg.2019.01.029.
2018
Impact of Palliative Chemotherapy and Travel Distance on Hospice Referral in Patients With Stage IV Pancreatic Cancer: A Retrospective Analysis Within a Veterans Administration Medical Center.
The American journal of hospice & palliative care. 35(6):875-881 [DOI] 10.1177/1049909117746390. [PMID] 29216749.
2018
Intestinal microbiota enhances pancreatic carcinogenesis in preclinical models
Carcinogenesis. 39(8):1068-1078 [DOI] 10.1093/carcin/bgy073. [PMID] 29846515.
2018
Local and Systemic Cytokine Profiling for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma to Study Cancer Cachexia in an Era of Precision Medicine.
International journal of molecular sciences. 19(12) [DOI] 10.3390/ijms19123836. [PMID] 30513792.
2018
Microbial marauders: pancreatic microbiota and its impact on carcinogenesis.
Annals of translational medicine. 6(Suppl 1) [DOI] 10.21037/atm.2018.10.34. [PMID] 30613638.
2018
Patient-derived xenograft cryopreservation and reanimation outcomes are dependent on cryoprotectant type.
Laboratory investigation; a journal of technical methods and pathology. 98(7):947-956 [DOI] 10.1038/s41374-018-0042-7. [PMID] 29520054.
2018
Preoperative enteral access is not necessary prior to multimodality treatment of esophageal cancer
Surgery. 163(4):770-776 [DOI] 10.1016/j.surg.2017.09.046.
2018
Viscoelastic properties of human pancreatic tumors and in vitro constructs to mimic mechanical properties.
Acta biomaterialia. 67:331-340 [DOI] 10.1016/j.actbio.2017.11.037. [PMID] 29191507.
2017
A clinically applicable muscular index predicts long-term survival in resectable pancreatic cancer.
Surgery. 161(4):930-938 [DOI] 10.1016/j.surg.2016.09.038. [PMID] 27932030.
2017
Comparative Effectiveness of Preoperative Treatment Regimens in Patients With Potentially Resectable Esophageal Cancer.
JAMA surgery. 152(1):103-105 [DOI] 10.1001/jamasurg.2016.2821. [PMID] 27627680.
2017
Delayed Imaging Presentation of a Symptomatic Insulinoma After Bariatric Surgery.
Journal of gastrointestinal surgery : official journal of the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract. 21(2):412-414 [DOI] 10.1007/s11605-016-3219-7. [PMID] 27561632.
2017
Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells Induce a MyD88-Dependent Stromal Response to Promote a Tumor-Tolerant Immune Microenvironment.
Cancer research. 77(3):672-683 [DOI] 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-16-1765. [PMID] 27864347.
2017
Percutaneous cholecystostomy: prognostic factors and comparison to cholecystectomy.
Surgical endoscopy. 31(11):4568-4575 [DOI] 10.1007/s00464-017-5517-x. [PMID] 28409378.
2017
The effects of red cell transfusion donor age on nosocomial infection among trauma patients
The American Journal of Surgery. 214(4):672-676 [DOI] 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2017.07.004. [PMID] 28720216.
2017
The pancreatic tumor microenvironment drives changes in miRNA expression that promote cytokine production and inhibit migration by the tumor associated stroma.
Oncotarget. 8(33):54054-54067 [DOI] 10.18632/oncotarget.10722. [PMID] 28903323.
2016
Isolation of Pancreatic Cancer Cells from a Patient-Derived Xenograft Model Allows for Practical Expansion and Preserved Heterogeneity in Culture.
The American journal of pathology. 186(6):1537-46 [DOI] 10.1016/j.ajpath.2016.02.009. [PMID] 27102771.
2016
Nicotine Reduces Survival via Augmentation of Paracrine HGF-MET Signaling in the Pancreatic Cancer Microenvironment.
Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research. 22(7):1787-99 [DOI] 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-15-1256. [PMID] 26667487.
2016
Oncologic and Perioperative Outcomes Following Selective Application of Laparoscopic Pancreaticoduodenectomy for Periampullary Malignancies.
Journal of gastrointestinal surgery : official journal of the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract. 20(7):1343-9 [DOI] 10.1007/s11605-016-3136-9. [PMID] 27142633.
2016
Standardization of surgical care in a high-volume center improves survival in resected pancreatic head cancer
The American Journal of Surgery. 212(2):195-201.e1 [DOI] 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2016.03.001. [PMID] 27260793.
2016
Transforming Growth Factor-β Limits Secretion of Lumican by Activated Stellate Cells within Primary Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Tumors.
Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research. 22(19):4934-4946 [PMID] 27126993.
2015
Downstream mediators of the intratumoral interferon response suppress antitumor immunity, induce gemcitabine resistance and associate with poor survival in human pancreatic cancer.
Cancer immunology, immunotherapy : CII. 64(12):1553-63 [DOI] 10.1007/s00262-015-1760-y. [PMID] 26423423.
2015
Patient-derived xenograft models for pancreatic adenocarcinoma demonstrate retention of tumor morphology through incorporation of murine stromal elements.
The American journal of pathology. 185(5):1297-303 [DOI] 10.1016/j.ajpath.2015.01.016. [PMID] 25770474.
2015
Primary outgrowth cultures are a reliable source of human pancreatic stellate cells.
Laboratory investigation; a journal of technical methods and pathology. 95(11):1331-40 [DOI] 10.1038/labinvest.2015.117. [PMID] 26322418.
2015
The canary in the coal mine: the growth of patient-derived tumorgrafts in mice predicts clinical recurrence after surgical resection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Annals of surgical oncology. 22(6):1884-92 [DOI] 10.1245/s10434-014-4241-1. [PMID] 25404477.
2015
The inflammatory milieu within the pancreatic cancer microenvironment correlates with clinicopathologic parameters, chemoresistance and survival.
BMC cancer. 15 [DOI] 10.1186/s12885-015-1820-x. [PMID] 26498838.
2015
The Microbiome and Cancer: Is the ‘Oncobiome’ Mirage Real?
Trends in cancer. 1(1):24-35 [PMID] 26568984.
2015
Two-dimensional culture of human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells results in an irreversible transition from epithelial to mesenchymal phenotype.
Laboratory investigation; a journal of technical methods and pathology. 95(2):207-22 [DOI] 10.1038/labinvest.2014.143. [PMID] 25485535.
2014
Extracellular lumican inhibits pancreatic cancer cell growth and is associated with prolonged survival after surgery.
Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research. 20(24):6529-40 [DOI] 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-14-0970. [PMID] 25336691.
2014
Intra-tumoral heterogeneity of gemcitabine delivery and mass transport in human pancreatic cancer.
Physical biology. 11(6) [DOI] 10.1088/1478-3975/11/6/065002. [PMID] 25427073.
2014
SMAD4 regulates cell motility through transcription of N-cadherin in human pancreatic ductal epithelium.
PloS one. 9(9) [DOI] 10.1371/journal.pone.0107948. [PMID] 25264609.
2014
Transport properties of pancreatic cancer describe gemcitabine delivery and response.
The Journal of clinical investigation. 124(4):1525-36 [DOI] 10.1172/JCI73455. [PMID] 24614108.
2014
Treatment sequencing strategy for hepatic epithelioid haemangioendothelioma.
HPB : the official journal of the International Hepato Pancreato Biliary Association. 16(7):677-85 [DOI] 10.1111/hpb.12202. [PMID] 24308564.
2012
MicroRNA dissects out dangerous pancreatic cysts from all the rest.
Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research. 18(17):4482-4 [DOI] 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-12-2089. [PMID] 22919002.
2012
Multimodality therapy offers a chance for cure in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma deemed unresectable at first operative exploration.
Journal of the American College of Surgeons. 215(1):41-51; discussion 51 [DOI] 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2012.03.024. [PMID] 22608401.
2012
Selective reoperation for locally recurrent or metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma following primary pancreatic resection.
Journal of gastrointestinal surgery : official journal of the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract. 16(9):1696-704 [DOI] 10.1007/s11605-012-1912-8. [PMID] 22644446.
2010
Chemokine receptor CXCR4 enhances proliferation in pancreatic cancer cells through AKT and ERK dependent pathways.
Pancreas. 39(1):81-7 [DOI] 10.1097/MPA.0b013e3181bb2ab7. [PMID] 19820417.
2010
Current concepts in the surgical management of pancreatic cancer.
Surgical oncology clinics of North America. 19(2):335-58 [DOI] 10.1016/j.soc.2009.11.001. [PMID] 20159518.
2010
Management of acute post-operative portal venous thrombosis.
Journal of gastrointestinal surgery : official journal of the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract. 14(3):570-7 [DOI] 10.1007/s11605-009-0967-7. [PMID] 19582513.
2010
Silencing of RON receptor signaling promotes apoptosis and gemcitabine sensitivity in pancreatic cancers.
Cancer research. 70(3):1130-40 [DOI] 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-09-0761. [PMID] 20103639.
2010
The RON tyrosine kinase receptor regulates vascular endothelial growth factor production in pancreatic cancer cells.
Pancreas. 39(3):301-7 [PMID] 20358644.
2008
The chemokine receptor CXCR4 is expressed in pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia.
Gut. 57(11):1555-60 [DOI] 10.1136/gut.2007.143941. [PMID] 18664506.
2007
The RON receptor tyrosine kinase mediates oncogenic phenotypes in pancreatic cancer cells and is increasingly expressed during pancreatic cancer progression.
Cancer research. 67(13):6075-82 [PMID] 17616662.
2003
Infection with chronic hepatitis C virus and liver transplantation: a role for interferon therapy before transplantation.
Liver transplantation : official publication of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and the International Liver Transplantation Society. 9(9):905-15 [PMID] 12942451.

Grants

Jun 2023 ACTIVE
UF Health Cancer Center Support Grant
Role: Project Manager
Funding: NATL INST OF HLTH NCI
Jul 2022 ACTIVE
Microbiota-mediated enhancement of the anti-tumor effect of natural killer cells
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: NATL INST OF HLTH NCI
Oct 2021 – Jan 2024
Intestinal Microbiota Associations with Toxicity and Outcomes in Patients with Pancreatic Cancer during Neoadjuvant Curative Treatment
Role: Project Manager
Funding: BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB FOUNDATION
Jul 2021 – Jun 2023
McJunkin Family Foundation – UFHCC
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: UF FOUNDATION via MCJUNKIN FAMILY FOUNDATION
Jan 2018 – Dec 2023
The role of the microbiome on pancreatic carcinogenesis in a murine model
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
Oct 2016 – Sep 2018
Role of Gram negative bacterial lipopolysaccharide in CXCR4-mediated pancreatic carcinogenesis
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: ASSOC OF VA SURGEONS FOU
Feb 2015 – Oct 2023
UF Health Cancer Center Pilot Project Grants funded through the Florida Consortium of National Cancer Institute Centers Program
Role: Project Manager
Funding: UF HEALTH SHANDS HOSPITAL
Jan 2015 ACTIVE
UF Health Cancer Center Bridge Seed Grant funded through the Florida Consortium of National Cancer Institute Centers Program
Role: Project Manager
Funding: UF HEALTH SHANDS HOSPITAL
Apr 2014 – Jun 2018
Research Startup
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: FL CLINICAL PRACTICE ASSO

Education

Fellow, Surgical Oncology
2010-2013 · The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Chief Resident, General Surgery
2009-2010 · University of Cincinnati
General Surgery Resident
2003-2009 · University of Cincinnati
MD
1999-2003 · Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine (Maywood, IL)
BS, Biology and Chemistry
1996-1999 · John Carroll University (Cleveland, OH)

Contact Details

Phones:
Business:
(352) 265-0535
Emails:
Administrative Spec II:
Addresses:
Business Mailing:
PO Box 100109
GAINESVILLE FL 32610
Business Street:
PO BOX 100109
DEPT OF SURGERY
GAINESVILLE FL 326100109