Margit M. Janát-Amsbury

Margit M. Janát-Amsbury, MD, PhD

Languages spoken: English, German, French, Czech, Dutch, Spanish

Academic Information

Departments Adjunct - Molecular Pharmaceutics

Research Interests

  • Ovarian Neoplasms
  • Gynecologic Oncology
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Nanotechnology
  • Cancer Stem Cell Research
  • Animal Model Development
  • Personalized Health Care

MARGIT M. JANÁT-AMSBURY is holding a faculty appointment as Assistant Professor with the Division of Gynecologic Oncology in Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, at the University of Utah and is the Research Director for Gynecologic Oncology. She received her M.D., Ph.D. in Gynecologic Oncology at Universität zu Köln (University of Cologne), Germany, did her clinical fellowships at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, at the Academisch Ziekenhuis Maastricht at the University of Maastricht in the Netherlands and conducted her postdoctoral research studies at the University of Utah.
Prof. Janát-Amsbury focuses on the development of animal models for novel drug-, and gene carriers for clinical use in cancer therapy focusing mainly on gynecological malignancies. Her laboratory specializes in the design and development of innovative delivery systems and linking the areas of stem-cell-research, nano-medicine, macromolecular drug delivery, pharmaceutics and bioengineering to clinical applications. Delivery systems investigated by the Janát-Amsbury group are tailored to the tumor immunology of gynecological malignancies, and also target other areas of interest from the broad field of Obstetrics and Gynecology, including reproductive endocrinology and infertility, maternal fetal medicine as well as benign conditions as uterine fibroids and endometrioses.
Prof. Janát-Amsbury's research aims to develop novel diagnostic and therapeutic tools specifically for ovarian, endometrial and cervical cancer to facilitate faster market entry for new therapeutics. She has extensive clinical trial experience in oncology as an investigator and as a clinician in Europe and the United States and also held appointments at the University of Maastricht in the Netherlands and at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, where she focused on translational research, being a lead-investigator in the first ever in humans applied polymeric IL-12 delivery system conducting a Phase 1 clinical trial in humans treating patients with recurrent ovarian cancer under a gene therapy protocol she developed. This clinical trial is currently open for recruitment here at Huntsman Cancer Institute GOG170-Q: A Phase II Evaluation of Intraperitoneal EGEN-001 (IL-12 plasmind formulated with PEG-PEI-cholesterol lipopolymer) in the Treatment of Persistent or Recurrent Epithelial Ovarian, Fallopian Tube or Primary Peritoneal Cancer)
Prof. Janát-Amsbury was recruited back to the University of Utah by the department of gynecology and obstetrics, division of gynecologic oncology in fall 2007 where she focuses on establishing a translational research program linking basic scientists and clinicians together for the benefit of researching new paths to diagnose and cure gynecologic cancers. Her research has led to new patents and is being funded by the NIH.

Research Statement

My research focuses on the development and translation of new drug and gene carriers for clinical use in cancer therapy, with a particular interest in gynecological malignancies including breast cancer and tumor immunology. The translational focus is oriented to link specialties like Nanomedicine, Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Bioengineering to the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology with main interest for Gynecologic Oncology.

Education History

Fellowship University of Maastricht, Academisch Ziekenhuis (AZM), Dept. of OB/Gyn
 Clinical Fellow
Research Fellow University of Utah, Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Biomedical Polymers
 Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Residency Universitat zu Köln, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
 Resident
Internship/Residency Mount Sinai School of Medicine
 Intern/Resident
Internship/Residency Universitat zu Köln, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
 Intern/Resident
Internship/Residency Universitat zu Köln, Department of Visceral and Vascular Surgery
 Intern/Resident
Professional Medical Universitat zu Köln
 MD, PhD
Professional Medical Universitat zu Köln, Medical School
 MD

Selected Publications

Journal Article

  1. Taurin S, Yang CH, Reyes M, Cho S, Coombs DM, Jarboe EA, Werner TL, Peterson CM, Jant-Amsbury MM (09/26/2017). Endometrial Cancers Harboring Mutated Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 2 Protein Are Successfully Treated With a New Small Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor in an Orthotopic Mouse Model. Int J Gynecol Cancer.
  2. Almomen A, Jarboe EA, Dodson MK, Peterson CM, Owen SC, Jant-Amsbury MM (09/01/2016). Imiquimod Induces Apoptosis in Human Endometrial Cancer Cells In vitro and Prevents Tumor Progression In vivo. Pharm Res, 33(9), 2209-17.
  3. Park H, Cho S, Han YH, Janat-Amsbury MM, Boudina S, Bae YH (2015). Combinatorial gene construct and non-viral delivery for anti-obesity in diet-induced obese mice. J Control Release, 207, 154-62. (Read full article)
  4. Park H, Cho S, Han YH, Janat-Amsbury MM, Boudina S, Bae YH (2015 Mar 25). Combinatorial gene construct and non-viral delivery for anti-obesity in diet-induced obese mice. J Control Release, 25(207), 154-162.
  5. Yang CH, Almomen A, Wee YS, Jarboe EA, Peterson CM, Jant-Amsbury MM (2015 Mar 23). An estrogen-induced endometrial hyperplasia mouse model recapitulating human disease progression and genetic aberrations. Cancer Med.
  6. Almomen A, Cho S, Yang CH, Li Z, Jarboe EA, Peterson CM, Huh KM, Jant-Amsbury MM (2015 Jan 22). Thermosensitive Progesterone Hydrogel: A Safe and Effective New Formulation for Vaginal Application. Pharm Res.
  7. Theisen ER, Gajiwala S, Bearss J, Sorna V, Sharma S, Janat-Amsbury M (10/9/2014). Reversible inhibition of lysine specific demethylase 1 is a novel anti-tumor strategy for poorly differentiated endometrial carcinoma. BMC Cancer, October(14), 752.
  8. Abood Okal, Karina Matissek, Stephan Matissek, Robert Price, Mohamed Salama, Margit Maria Jant-Amsbury, and Carol Lim (06/24/2014). Re-engineered p53 Activates Apoptosis In Vivo and Causes Primary Tumor Regression in A Dominant Negative Breast Cancer Xenograft Model. Gene Ther.
  9. Arauchi A, Yang CH, Cho S, Jarboe EA, Peterson CM, Bae YH, Okano T, Jant-Amsbury MM (2014 May 27). An Immunocompetent, Orthotopic Mouse Model of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Utilizing Tissue Engineered Tumor Cell Sheets. Tissue Eng Part C Methods.
  10. Cho S, Sun Y, Jarboe EA, Soisson AP, Dodson MK, Gaffney DK, Peterson CM, Jant-Amsbury MM (Dec 2013). Mucoadhesive hybrid gel improves intraperitoneal platinum delivery. Int J Pharm, 458(1), 148-155.
  11. Sadekar S, Linares O, Noh G, Hubbard D, Ray A, Jant-Amsbury M, Peterson CM, Facelli J, Ghandehari H (2013). COMPARATIVE PHARMACOKINETICS OF PAMAM-OH DENDRIMERS AND HPMA COPOLYMERS IN OVARIAN-TUMOR-BEARING MICE. Drug Deliv Transl Res, Jun; 1((3)3), 260-271.
  12. Cho SungPil, Jarboe, Kennedy, Soisson, Dodson, Sun, Janat-Amsbury MM (April 2013). Development and characterization of a syngeneic mouse ovarian cancer model. Anticancer Res, 33(4), 1317-1324.
  13. Zhang R, Luo K, Yang J, Sima M, Sun Y, Janat-Amsbury MM, Kopecek J (2013). Synthesis and evaluation of a backbone biodegradable multiblock HPMA copolymer nanocarrier for the systemic delivery of paclitaxel. J Control Release, 166(1), 66-74. (Read full article)
  14. Li Z, Cho S, Kwon IC, Janat-Amsbury MM, Huh KM (2013). Preparation and characterization of glycol chitin as a new thermogelling polymer for biomedical applications. Carbohydr Polym, 92(2), 2267-75. (Read full article)
  15. Cho S, Sun Y, Soisson AP, Dodson MK, Peterson CM, Jarboe EA, Kennedy AM, Janat-Amsbury MM (2013). Characterizing a syngeneic orthotopic mouse ovarian cancer model system for the evaluation of novel drug delivery systems. Anticancer Res, Apr; 33(4), 1317-24.
  16. Sadekar S, Ray A, Janat-Amsbury M, Peterson CM, Ghandehari H (2011). Correction to Comparative Biodistribution of PAMAM Dendrimers and HPMA Copolymers in Ovarian-Tumor-Bearing Mice. Biomacromolecules. (Read full article)
  17. Arnida, Janat-Amsbury MM, Ray A, Peterson CM, Ghandehari H (2011). Geometry and surface characteristics of gold nanoparticles influence their biodistribution and uptake by macrophages. Eur J Pharm Biopharm, 77(3), 417-23. (Read full article)
  18. Sadekar S, Ray A, Janat-Amsbury M, Peterson CM, Ghandehari H (2011). Comparative biodistribution of PAMAM dendrimers and HPMA copolymers in ovarian-tumor-bearing mice. Biomacromolecules, 12(1), 88-96. (Read full article)
  19. Janat-Amsbury MM, Peterson CM, Kim SW (2009). The role of gene- and drug delivery in women's health--unmet clinical needs and future opportunities. Preface. Adv Drug Deliv Rev, 61(10), 767. (Read full article)
  20. Montejo M, Werner TL, Gaffney D, Janat-Amsbury MM (Aug. 2009). Current challenges in clinical management of endometrial cancer. Adv Drug Deliv Rev, 61(10), 883-9.
  21. Hunn J, Dodson MK, Webb J, Soisson AP, Janat-Amsbury MM (Aug. 2009). Endometrial cancer - current state of the art therapies and unmet clinical needs: the role of surgery and preoperative radiographic assessment. Adv Drug Deliv Rev, 61(10), 871-82.
  22. Janat-Amsbury MM, Yockman JW, Anderson ML, Kieback DG, Kim SW (2006). Combination of local, non-viral IL12 gene therapy and systemic paclitaxel chemotherapy in a syngeneic ID8 mouse model for human ovarian cancer. Anticancer Res, 26(5A), 3223-8. (Read full article)
  23. Janat-Amsbury MM, Yockman JW, Anderson ML, Kieback DG, Kim SW (2006). Comparison of ID8 MOSE and VEGF-modified ID8 cell lines in an immunocompetent animal model for human ovarian cancer. Anticancer Res, 26(4B), 2785-9. (Read full article)
  24. Bikram M, Lee M, Chang CW, Janat-Amsbury MM, Kern SE, Kim SW (2005). Long-circulating DNA-complexed biodegradable multiblock copolymers for gene delivery: degradation profiles and evidence of dysopsonization. J Control Release, 103(1), 221-33. (Read full article)
  25. Janat-Amsbury MM, Yockman JW, Lee M, Kern S, Furgeson DY, Bikram M, Kim SW (2005). Local, non-viral IL-12 gene therapy using a water soluble lipopolymer as carrier system combined with systemic paclitaxel for cancer treatment. J Control Release, 101(1-3), 273-85. (Read full article)
  26. Janat-Amsbury MM, Yockman JW, Lee M, Kern S, Furgeson DY, Bikram M, Kim SW (2004). Combination of local, nonviral IL12 gene therapy and systemic paclitaxel treatment in a metastatic breast cancer model. Mol Ther, 9(6), 829-36. (Read full article)
  27. Furgeson DY, Yockman JW, Jant MM, Kim SW (2004). Tumor efficacy and biodistribution of linear polyethylenimine-cholesterol/DNA complexes. Mol Ther, 9(6), 837-45.
  28. Kurbacher CM, Grecu OM, Stier U, Gilster TJ, Janat-Amsbury MM, Untch M, Konecny G, Bruckner HW, Cree IA (2003). ATP chemosensitivity testing in ovarian and breast cancer: early clinical trials. Recent Results Cancer Res, 161, 221-30.

Review

  1. Taurin S, Almomen AA, Pollak T, Kim SJ, Maxwell J, Peterson CM, Owen SC, Jant-Amsbury MM (11/15/2017). Thermosensitive hydrogels a versatile concept adapted to vaginal drug delivery. [Review]. J Drug Target, (15), 1-18.
  2. Janat-Amsbury MM, Gupta KM, Kablitz CD, Peterson CM (2009). Drug delivery for in vitro fertilization: rationale, current strategies and challenges. [Review]. Adv Drug Deliv Rev, 61(10), 871-82. (Read full article)

Book Chapter

  1. Janat-Amsbury, MM, Bae YH (11/30/2013). Nanotechnology in Cancer. In Michelle A. Rudek, Cindy H. Chau, William D. Figg, Howard L. McLeod (Eds.), Handbook of Anticancer Pharmacokinetics and Pharamcodynamics (pp. 703-730). New York: Springer New York.

Abstract

  1. Janat-Amsbury MM, Yockman JW, Anderson ML, Kieback DG, Kim SW (2004). Combination of local, non-viral IL-12 gene delivery and systemic paclitaxel treatment in a highly metastatic mouse mammary carcinoma [Abstract]. SGI, Houston, USA.

Newspaper

  1. Vahrenkamp J, Janat-Amsbury MM, Gertz J (03182018). Utah researchers find cortisol may exacerbate endometrial cancers. Deseret News.
  2. Janat-Amsbury, MM, Alter O (04/14/2015). University of Utah's researchers’ mathematical models could provide better ovarian cancer treatment outcomes. Salt Lake Tribune.

Video/Film/CD/Web/Podcast

  1. Vahrenkamp J, Janat-Amsbury MM, Gertz J (03152018). Researchers at Huntsman discover driving force of aggressive endometrial cancer [Web]. Salt Lake City: ABC 4 News. Available: http://www.good4utah.com/news/local-news/researchers-at-huntsman-discover-driving-force-of-aggressive-endometrial-cancer/1045399872.
  2. Vahrenkamp J, Janat-Amsbury MM, Gertz J (03132018). Surprising Discovery Provides Insights into Aggressive Endometrial Cancers [Web]. Sciencenewsline. Available: http://www.sciencenewsline.com/news/2018031321180033.html.

Patent

  1. Janát-Amsbury MM, Huh KM, Cho S, Almomen A, Peterson CM (2019). GLYCOL CHITIN BASED THERMOSENSITIVE HYDROGELFOR VAGINAL DELIVERY OF PROGESTERONE. U.S. Patent No. 026389-9088-US01. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.