Laboratory of Uma M. Sachdeva, MD, PhD
Email: uma.sachdeva@mgh.harvard.edu
Overview
The Sachdeva Lab uses 3D culture models of human-derived cells to study the pathogenesis and treatment responses of esophageal cancers. We study cellular metabolism and metabolic adaptations that underlie the progression of Barretts esophagus to early adenocarcinoma, the development of adenocarcinoma versus squamous cell carcinoma, and resistance mechanisms to chemotherapeutic agents in current clinical practice. We also study the role of the tumor microenvironment in regulating cancer cell metabolism and promoting disease progression. Our projects encompass the fields of cancer biology, 3D epithelial organoid biology, cell metabolism, and the tumor microenvironment. Our goal is to develop new treatment strategies for esophageal cancer, a disease with rising incidence in the US and the sixth most common cause of cancer deaths worldwide, by targeting cell metabolism.
Research projects
We have several exciting research projects, including:
Translational and Basic Science Projects
- Investigating metabolic shifts occurring in non-transformed esophageal epithelial cells and Barretts cells in response to acid and bile salt exposure.
- Determining the role of stromal-derived cytokines and metabolic signaling to promote the progression of Barrett’s esophagus to adenocarcinoma.
- Developing patient-derived organoid (PDO) and fibroblast libraries from normal esophageal tissue, Barrett’s esophagus, esophageal adenocarcinoma, and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma from patient biopsy samples.
- Determining the role for transcription factor p63 in driving differential metabolic programs in esophageal cancer subtypes.
- Investigating the potential for extracellular vesicles (EVs) to serve as biomarkers for disease states.
Clinical Outcomes and Health Services Projects
- Determining the effects of neoadjuvant treatment regimens on patient fitness, pathologic responses, and surgical outcomes.
- Development and implementation of mobile health app for patient education and symptom monitoring following esophagectomy.
- Investigating national patterns of adoption of robotic assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy.
Publications
Selected Publications
- Morimoto M, Kawasaki K, McNamee N, Flashner S, Shimonosono R, Shimonosono M, Matsuura N, Tomita Y, Hirose W, Teranishi R, Itami T, Guha M, Rajagopalan P, Martin C, Golden H, Dhakal D, Wilkins BJ, Klein-Szanto AJ, Wangensteen KJ, Abrams JA, Pomenti S, Katzka DA, Que J, Whelan KA, Muir AB, Kita H, Wright BL, Doyle AD, Nakagawa H, Sachdeva UM. Mitochondrial dysfunction drives basal cell hyperplasia in eosinophilic oesophagitis. Gut. 2025 Sep 8;74(10):1571-1588. doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2024-334561. PubMed PMID: 40701793; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC12438975.
- McNamee N, Rajagopalan P, Tal-Mason A, Roytburd S, Sachdeva UM. AMPK Activation Serves as a Common Pro-Survival Pathway in Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Cells. Biomolecules. 2024 Sep 4;14(9). doi: 10.3390/biom14091115. PubMed PMID: 39334882; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC11429576.
- Sachdeva UM, Shimonosono M, Flashner S, Cruz-Acuña R, Gabre JT, Nakagawa H. Understanding the cellular origin and progression of esophageal cancer using esophageal organoids. Cancer Lett. 2021 Jul 1;509:39-52. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.03.031. Epub 2021 Apr 7. PMID: 33838281; PMCID: PMC8493518.
- de Angelis P, Hompe E, Krause K, Perez N, Auchincloss HG, Lanuti M, Schumacher L, Sachdeva UM. The implementation of a mobile application and web-based platform for peri-operative patient-tailored education and tracking of patient-reported outcomes after esophagectomy. Dis Esophagus. 2026 Jan 9;39(1):doaf132. doi: 10.1093/dote/doaf132. PMID: 41525277.
- Hompe ED, Sachdeva UM. Updates in Translational Science for Esophageal and Gastric Cancers. Surg Oncol Clin N Am. 2024 Jul;33(3):571-581. doi: 10.1016/j.soc.2023.12.022. Epub 2024 Jan 20. PMID: 38789199.
Open Positions
We welcome highly motivated trainees of all levels, including postdoctoral fellows, residents, and students, to contact us if interested in joining our team.
Recent Lab Achievements
Niamh was awarded First Prize in Basic Science in the Moderated Poster Competition at the 2026 Harvard Surgery Research Day. She is pictured with other prize winners alongside Gerard M. Doherty, MD, Chief of the MGB Department of Surgery, Elliot Chaikof, MD, PhD, Chair of the Department of Surgery at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and Monica Bertagnolli, MD, 17th director of the National Institutes of Health.
