My main clinical interests are cystic fibrosis (CF) and lung transplantation. I developed and direct the University of Minnesota Adult CF Program and am co-director of our CF Center. In addition to CF, I am interested in the management of other bronchiectatic lung disease including Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia. I am involved in the pre-transplant evaluation and post-transplant management of patients referred for lung transplantation for both CF and other end-stage lung disease. My involvement in lung transplantation has led me to develop expertise in interventional bronchoscopy for both transplant-related and non-transplant airway disease. I am experienced in balloon dilation, stent placement and airway laser treatment. I also perform whole lung lavage for alveolar proteinosis. In the in-patient arena I mainly focus on CF and lung transplantation, but also participate in general pulmonary consultation and all aspects of intensive care management.
In addition to my direct patient care responsibilities, I participate actively in continuous quality improvement activities in the Adult CF Program. Projects have included: 1) Accelerating initiation of care for CF patients admitted to the hospital. 2) Optimizing nutrition for adult CF patients. 3) Optimizing adherence via annual studies.
Research Activities
I have served as site Primary Investigator for a number of phase II and III trials for new medications for CF patients, including VX-770 and Denfosol. I have participated as a co-investigator for numerous other phase I-III trials for new CF and transplant medications as well.
I have also participated as a primary or co-investigator for a number of investigator-initiated clinical studies. I am an active participant in a number of collaborative studies at the University of MN CF Center, including optimization of airway clearance therapy and an evaluation of the efficacy of g-tubes for CF patients.
Kapoor BS, Rathmann G, Shrawny S, Dunitz JM, Hunter D. Retrieving a malpositioned tracheobronchial stent utilizing Amplatz gooseneck snare: a case report. Cardiovascular & Interventional Radiology. 2004; 27(3): 291-3.
Whelan TMP, Dunitz JM, Kelly RF, Edwards LB, Herrington CS, Hertz MI, Dahlberg PS. Effect of preoperative pulmonary artery pressure on early survival after lung transplantation for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Journal of Heart & Lung Transplantation.. 2005; 24(9):1269-74.
Borowitz D, Goss CH, Steven C, Hayes D, Newman L, O'Rourke A, Konstan MW, Wagener J, Moss R, Hendeles L, Orenstein D, Ahrens R, Oermann CM, Aitken ML, Mahl TC, Young R, Dunitz JM, Murray FT. Safety and preliminary clinical activity of a novel pancreatic enzyme preparation in pancreatic insufficient cystic fibrosis patients. Pancreas. 2006; 32(3): 258-63.
Kempainen RR, Savik K, Whelan TM, Dunitz JM, Herrington CS, Billings JL. High prevalance of gastroesophageal reflux in advanced COPD. Chest 2007; 131:1666-1671.
Perdue DG, Cass OW, Milla C, Dunitz J, Jessarun J, Sharp HL, Schwarzenberg SJ. Hepatolithiasis and cholangiocarcinoma in cystic fibrosis: a case series and review of the literature. Dig Dis Sci 2007; 52(10):2638-42.
Uhlmann E, Dunitz J, Fiol M. Pulmonary vein thrombosis presenting after lung transplantation as stroke. J Heart Lung Transplant, 2009; 28(2):209-10.
Blaes AH, CiocAM, Froelich JW, Peterson BA, Dunitz JM. Positron emission tomography scanning in the setting of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders. Clinical Transplantation, Published online 23 Dec 2008.
Moran A, Dunitz J, Nathan B, Saeed A, Holme B, Thomas W. Cystic fibrosis-related diabetes: current trends in prevalence, incidence, and mortality. Diabetes Care. 2009;32(9):1626-31.
Current Research Support
Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2007-2010
A Phase 3 International Multi-Center, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group efficacy and Safety
Study of Denufosol Tetrasodium Inhalation Solution in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis Lung Disease and FEV1 Greater Than or Equal To 75% but Less Than or Equal To 110% Predicted = Tiger 2.
Recent Research Support
PPD Dev. Inc 2007-2009
A Phase 2 Randomized Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Vx-770 to Evaluate Safety, Pharmacokinetics and Biomarkers of DVTR Activity in CF.
Altus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2007-2008
Altu-135 in CV Pancreatic Patients
Duke University Medical Center (subcontract with): Sponsor=Roche Labs Inc. 2003-2008
A Phase III Randomized Double-Blind Comparison of Oral Valganciclovir and Placebo for Prevention of CMV Infection After Lung Transplantation.
