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DDC adds another layer of expertise to staff In its effort to expand clinical research and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, MUSC has recruited another expert to add to its already highly-qualified team of physicians in MUSC’s Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department.   Dr. Lawrence Comerford Lawrence Comerford, M.D., a 1997 graduate of MUSC’s College of Medicine, is a gastroenterologist who is dedicated to taking care of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), specifically, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Patients with this illness often suffer from abdominal pain, diarrhea, and malnutrition. The cause of the disease is unknown.   “Many researchers believe IBD is caused by an environmental trigger such as an infection that leads to an exaggerated immune response in the intestines of genetically susceptible individuals,” Comerford said. “Patients often have other family members with the disease. The result is inflammation of the intestines, which leads to the debilitating symptoms. Surgery is often required to remove the diseased bowel.   “The number of people with this disease seems to be increasing and we aren’t really sure why,” he said. “Twenty to 30 years ago, many people had not heard of Crohn’s disease, but now it seems that many people have friends or co-workers who are affected. The good news is we are better now than we were 20 years ago in both diagnosing and treating this disease.”   A dramatic increase in drug research and development by the pharmaceutical companies has led to the development of a revolutionary new class of drugs to treat the illness. These drugs are described as monoclonal antibodies that are given intravenously to patients, which effectively decrease the inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. Infliximab (Remicade) was the first drug in this class, but more drugs are being developed and becoming available to patients, Comerford said.   “The future is now brighter for patients with this disease,” said Comerford.   Comerford has studied the effects of inflammatory bowel disease on bone mineral density in patients and hopes to conduct more clinical trials here at MUSC.   “I have been very impressed with the resources available in the Digestive Disease Center to conduct research as well as the quality of the clinical resources available to IBD patients. Patients have been receiving fantastic multidisciplinary care here at MUSC from a team of dedicated clinicians, and I hope to contribute as well.”   He will have two weekly IBD clinics, a clinic for patients with general GI problems, as well as days he performs endoscopic procedures on his patients. Comerford said he is also looking forward to teaching medical students, residents, and gastroenterology fellows.   After graduation from MUSC, Comerford completed his residency training in internal medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. He was awarded the prestigious “Attitude, Commitment, Excellence” award by his fellow residents upon completion of his training. He continued his training with a fellowship in Gastroenterology at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va. While at UVA he completed a masters of science in health evaluation science. He remained on faculty at UVA as a vital member of its IBD team and won an award from the American College of Gastroenterology for his research. Comerford also entered private practice for a year before returning to Charleston.   He has many ties to the Lowcountry. He was stationed here 20 years ago as a naval engineering officer working on submarines at the Charleston Naval Shipyard after graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. His wife Barbara was born and raised here. They have a daughter attending Charleston Southern University, a son attending the College of Charleston, and two sons at home. In his spare time, Comerford enjoys outdoor activities and is active as an adult leader in the Boy Scouts of America.     Friday, Aug. 4, 2006 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.