Geoffrey Block
- Clinical Professor, Medicine
Contact
- (520) 626-6453
- AHSC, Rm. 6309B
- gdblock@arizona.edu
Degrees
- M.D.
- Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States
- B.S. Biochemistry, Computer Sciences
- University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, United States
- M.S. Molecular Biology, Nutrition
- University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, United States
Work Experience
- Department of Medicine, University of Arizona (2019 - Ongoing)
- University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (2019 - Ongoing)
- University of California - Riverside (2019 - Ongoing)
- Eisenhower Medical Center (2017 - 2019)
- Eisenhower Medical Center (2014 - 2019)
- University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (2001 - 2014)
- UPMC Health System (1998 - 2001)
- UPMC Health System (1997 - 2002)
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (1996 - 2001)
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (1994 - 1996)
- Pittsburgh Adolescent Alcohol Research Center, Univ. Pittsburgh (1990 - 1995)
Awards
- Ernst and Young Entrepreneur Award
- Ernst and Young, Pittsburgh, PA, Fall 1998
- ADA/NIH Research Award
- ADA/NIH, Fall 1986
- NRSA Postdoctoral Fellow
- University of Pittsburgh, Fall 1984
- NIH Medical Student Research Fellow
- Wake Forest University, School of Medicine, Fall 1982
- NRSA Pre-doctoral Fellow
- University of North Carolina, Fall 1979
- University Honors - Cell Bilogy
- University of Connecticut, Fall 1979
- Dean's List, Magna Cum Laude
- University of Connecticut, Fall 1976
- University Honors Scholar
- University of Connecticut, Fall 1976
- ESD Masters
- Olympus/ASGE, Fall 2016
Licensure & Certification
- MD, Pennsylvania (1988)
- Aerospace Medical Examiner, FAA/NASA (2012)
- MD, California (2014)
- MD, North Carolina (2010)
- DEA, DEA (1988)
- MD, Arizona (2019)
- Fluoroscopy, California (2014)
- Diplomate, National Board of Medical Examiners (1987)
- Transplant Hepatology, American Board of Internal Medicine (2006)
- BLS, ACLS, PALS, American Heart Association (1986)
- Internal Medicine, American Board of Internal Medicine (1989)
- Gastroenterology/Hepatology, American Board of Internal Medicine (1991)
Interests
No activities entered.
Courses
No activities entered.
Scholarly Contributions
Chapters
- Block, G. (2000). Hereditary Hemochromatosis.. In NORD Guide of Rare Disorders. Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins.
- Block, G. (2000). Wilson's Disease. In NORD Guide of Rare Disorders. Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins.
Journals/Publications
- Block, G. (2022). Measuring Liver Disease Knowledge in Individuals with Cirrhosis. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
- Block, G., & Junno, S. (2021). NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE: DO NON-INVASIVE FIBROSIS SCORES STILL HAVE A ROLE IN PREDICTING EARLY STAGE HEPATIC FIBROSIS? Submission Type: AASLD Oral or Poster Submissions. Hepatology.
- Block, G. (2020). COVID-19 Prevalence and complications in chronic liver disease and liver transplant. j hep.
- Block, G. (2020). Quality of Life in Cirrhotic Patients post hospital admission. Hepatology.
- Bellin, M. D., Freeman, M. L., Gelrud, A., Slivka, A., Clavel, A., Humar, A., Schwarzenberg, S. J., Lowe, M. E., Rickels, M. R., Whitcomb, D. C., Matthews, J. B., Amann, S., Andersen, D. K., Anderson, M. A., Baillie, J., Block, G., Brand, R., Chari, S., Cook, M., , Cote, G. A., et al. (2013). Total pancreatectomy and islet autotransplantation in chronic pancreatitis: recommendations from PancreasFest. Pancreatology : official journal of the International Association of Pancreatology (IAP) ... [et al.], 14(1), 27-35.More infoTotal pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TPIAT) is a surgical procedure used to treat severe complications of chronic pancreatitis or very high risk of pancreatic cancer while reducing the risk of severe diabetes mellitus. However, clear guidance on indications, contraindications, evaluation, timing, and follow-up are lacking.
- Patzer, J. F., Block, G. D., Khanna, A., Yin, W. Y., Molmenti, E., Gerber, D., Kramer, D. J., Scott, V. L., Aggarwal, S., Wagner, R. A., Fulmer, M. L., Amiot, B. P., & Mazariegos, G. V. (2002). D-galactosamine based canine acute liver failure model. Hepatobiliary & pancreatic diseases international : HBPD INT, 1(3), 354-67.More infoAppropriate preclinical evaluation of a bioartificial liver assist device (BAL) demands a large animal model, as presented here, that demonstrates many of the clinical features of acute liver failure and that is suitable for clinical qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the BAL. A lethal canine liver failure model of acute hepatic failure that removes many of the artifacts evidenced in prior canine models is presented.
- Block, G. (2001). Procreation for Donation: The Moral and Political Permissibility of “Having a Child to Save a Child”. Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics, Volume 10(Issue 4), 408 - 419. doi:https://doi.org/10.1017/S0963180101004030
- Clark, D. B., Lynch, K. G., Donovan, J. E., & Block, G. D. (2001). Health problems in adolescents with alcohol use disorders: self-report, liver injury, and physical examination findings and correlates. Alcoholism, clinical and experimental research, 25(9), 1350-9.More infoAlthough adolescent alcohol consumption has been found to be positively correlated with self-reported health problems, few studies have examined other health indicators. This study compared adolescents with alcohol use disorders (AUDs) and a community reference group on self-reported health problems, serum liver enzymes, and physical examination findings. The relevance of negative emotionality to understanding these health problems was also investigated.
- Block, G. D., & Aulisio, M. I. (2000). Will genetics revolutionize medicine?. The New England journal of medicine, 343(20), 1496; discussion 1498.
- Block, G. (1999). ANALYTIC OPTIMIZATION OF BIOHYBRID LIVER REACTION KINETICS WITH DIFFERENTIAL-ALGEBRAIC EQUATIONS. ASAIO.
- Block, G. (1999). High Efficiency Genomic Transduction of Intact Pancreatic Islets In Long Term Culture with Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus Vectors (rAAV). Transplantation, 67(7), 207.
- Patzer, J. F., Mazariegos, G. V., Lopez, R., Molmenti, E., Gerber, D., Riddervold, F., Khanna, A., Yin, W. Y., Chen, Y., Scott, V. L., Aggarwal, S., Kramer, D. J., Wagner, R. A., Zhu, Y., Fulmer, M. L., Block, G. D., & Amiot, B. P. (1999). Novel bioartificial liver support system: preclinical evaluation. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 875, 340-52.More infoPreclinical safety and efficacy evaluation of a novel bioartificial liver support system (BLSS) was conducted using a D-galactosamine canine liver failure model. The BLSS houses a suspension of porcine hepatocytes in a hollow fiber cartridge with the hepatocytes on one side of the membrane and whole blood flowing on the other. Porcine hepatocytes harvested by a collagenase digestion technique were infused into the hollow fiber cartridge and incubated for 16 to 24 hours prior to use. Fifteen purpose-bred male hounds, 1-3 years old, 25-30 kg, were administered a lethal dose, 1.5 g/kg, of D-galactosamine. The animals were divided into three treatment groups: (1b) no BLSS treatment (n = 6); (2b) BLSS treatment starting at 24-26 h post D-galactosamine (n = 5); and (2c) BLSS treatment starting at 16-18 h post D-galactosamine (n = 4). While maintained under isoflurane anesthesia, canine supportive care was guided by electrolyte and invasive physiologic monitoring consisting of arterial pressure, central venous pressure, extradural intracranial pressure (ICP), pulmonary artery pressure, urinary catheter, and end-tidal CO2. All animals were treated until death or death-equivalent (inability to sustain systolic blood pressure > 80 mmHg for 20 minutes despite massive fluid resuscitation and/or dopamine administration), or euthanized at 60 hours. All animals developed evidence of liver failure at 12-24 hours as evidenced by blood pressure lability, elevated ICP, marked hepatocellular enzyme elevation with microscopic massive hepatocyte necrosis and cerebral edema, elevated prothrombin time, and metabolic acidosis. Groups 2b and 2c marginally prolong survival compared with Group 1b (pairwise log rank censored survival time analysis, p = 0.096 and p = 0.064, respectively). Since survival times for Groups 2b and 2c are not significantly different (p = 0.694), the groups were combined for further statistical analysis. Survival times for the combined active treatment Groups 2b and 2c are significantly prolonged versus Group 1b (p = 0.047). These results suggest the novel BLSS reported here can have a significant impact on the course of liver failure in the D-galactosamine canine liver failure model. The BLSS is ready for Phase I safety evaluation in a clinical setting.
- Block, G. (1998). PRECLINICAL EVALUATION OF A NOVEL BIOARTIFICIAL LIVER USING A CANINE D-GALACOSAMINE LIVER FAILURE MODEL. Transplantation.
- Block, G. (1997). D-GALACTOSAMINE CANINE LIVER FAILURE MODEL. ASAIO Journal.
- Block, G. (1997). Effect of Growth Factors and Defined Medium on Primary Hepatocyte Culture on Polyester Carriers with Varying Surface Treatment. Tissue Engineering.
- Block, G. (1997). PRELIMINARY CANINE STUDIES OF A NEW HOLLOW-FIBER-BASED BIOARTIFICIAL LIVER SYSTEM. ASAIO Journal.
- Block, G. (1996). HGF, EGF, and TGF stimulate transition to hepatoblasts, population expansion and clonal growth in primary cultures of hepatocytes in a chemically defined (HGM) medium. The Journal of Cell Biology.
- Block, G. D., Locker, J., Bowen, W. C., Petersen, B. E., Katyal, S., Strom, S. C., Riley, T., Howard, T. A., & Michalopoulos, G. K. (1996). Population expansion, clonal growth, and specific differentiation patterns in primary cultures of hepatocytes induced by HGF/SF, EGF and TGF alpha in a chemically defined (HGM) medium. The Journal of cell biology, 132(6), 1133-49.More infoMature adult parenchymal hepatocytes, typically of restricted capacity to proliferate in culture, can now enter into clonal growth under the influence of hepatocyte growth factor (scatter factor) (HGF/SF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and transforming growth factor alpha (TGFalpha) in the presence of a new chemically defined medium (HGM). The expanding populations of hepatocytes lose expression of hepatocyte specific genes (albumin, cytochrome P450 IIB1), acquire expression of markers expressed by bile duct epithelium (cytokeratin 19), produce TGFalpha and acidic FGF and assume a very simplified morphologic phenotype by electron microscopy. A major change associated with this transition is the decrease in ratio between transcription factors C/EBPalpha and C/EBPbeta, as well as the emergence in the proliferating hepatocytes of transcription factors AP1, NFkappaB. The liver associated transcription factors HNFI, HNF3, and HNF4 are preserved throughout this process. After population expansion and clonal growth, the proliferating hepatocytes can return to mature hepatocyte phenotype in the presence of EHS gel (Matrigel). This includes complete restoration of electron microscopic structure and albumin expression. The hepatocyte cultures however can instead be induced to form acinar/ductular structures akin to bile ductules (in the presence of HGF/SF and type I collagen). These transformations affect the entire population of the hepatocytes and occur even when DNA synthesis is inhibited. Similar acinar/ductular structures are seen in embryonic liver when HGF/SF and its receptor are expressed at high levels. These findings strongly support the hypothesis that mature hepatocytes can function as or be a source of bipotential facultative hepatic stem cells (hepatoblasts). These studies also provide evidence for the growth factor and matrix signals that govern these complex phenotypic transitions of facultative stem cells which are crucial for recovery from acute and chronic liver injury.
- Block, G. (1995). Novel expression of a unique hepatic stellate cell-specific IGF-Binding Protein in experimental alcoholic liver disease (ALD): In vivo and ex vivo studies. Hepatology, 22(4), A284. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/0270-9139(95)94859-7
- Whitcomb, D. C., & Block, G. D. (1994). Association of acetaminophen hepatotoxicity with fasting and ethanol use. JAMA, 272(23), 1845-50.More infoTo evaluate the association of fasting and alcohol use with hepatotoxicity from acetaminophen ingested for therapeutic reasons.
- Rabinovitz, M., Shapiro, J., Lian, J., Block, G. D., Merkel, I. S., & Van Thiel, D. H. (1992). Vitamin D and osteocalcin levels in liver transplant recipients. Is osteocalcin a reliable marker of bone turnover in such cases?. Journal of hepatology, 16(1-2), 50-5.More infoPatients with advanced liver disease are at increased risk for the development of hepatic osteodystrophy in the form of either osteomalacia or osteoporosis. The pathogenesis of these two bone diseases is multifactorial and includes, among other factors, alterations in vitamin D metabolism, malnutrition and hypogonadism. Little is known regarding vitamin D metabolism and the osteoblastic activity in liver transplant recipients. In order to clarify these issues, vitamin D metabolites and osteocalcin levels were measured prior to and 30 days following liver transplantation in 30 cirrhotic patients of various etiologies. While the mean plasma concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D of the entire group of 30 patients were significantly greater prior to orthotopic liver transplantation (OLTx) as compared to those after OLTx (11.5 +/- 8.6 vs. 7.4 +/- 5.8 ng/ml, p = 0.0066 and 41.0 +/- 34.6 vs. 20.4 +/- 11.0 pg/ml, p = 0.0003, respectively), no significant changes in osteocalcin concentrations pre- or post-transplantation could be demonstrated (5.2 +/- 3.0 vs. 6.4 +/- 4.1 ng/ml, p = 0.51). Furthermore, no correlation between the plasma concentration of osteocalcin and either vitamin D metabolite, the prothrombin time or cyclosporine levels was found. The reasons for the normal levels of osteocalcin prior to OLTx can be explained by the fact that in vitamin-K-deficient states osteocalcin is predominantly decarboxylated and, therefore, a smaller proportion is bound to bone and/or the synthesis of osteocalcin is partially modulated by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, the level of which has been found to be normal.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
- Uknis, M. E., Abu-Elmagd, K., Suwan, S., Block, G., Van Thiel, D., Reyes, J., Tzakis, A., Demetris, A. J., Todo, S., & Starzl, T. E. (1992). Immunoreactivity of T lymphocytes propagated from biopsies of human cadaveric small intestine allografts: a serial study of four patients. Transplantation proceedings, 24(3), 1137.
- Wright, H. L., Bou-Abboud, C. F., Hassanein, T., Block, G. D., Demetris, A. J., Starzl, T. E., & Van Thiel, D. H. (1992). Disease recurrence and rejection following liver transplantation for autoimmune chronic active liver disease. Transplantation, 53(1), 136-9.More infoAutoimmune chronic active liver disease (ACALD), a major indication for liver transplantation, is associated strongly with antigenic determinants HLA-B8 and DR3. A retrospective analysis of 43 patients who underwent OLTx for putative ACALD and who, as well as their tissue organ donors, were typed, was performed. Disease recurrence and graft rejection episodes were determined by chart review and histopathological review of all material available. Disease recurrence was histologically documented in 11 (25.6%) of these 43 cases. Graft rejection episodes occurred in 24 (55.8%). All recurrences were in recipients of HLA-DR3-negative grafts. Nine of the recurrences were in HLA-DR3-positive recipients (odds ratio: 6.14, P less than 0.03). Two of 11 cases of disease recurrence were in recipients who were HLA-DR3-negative. Nine of these 11 had received HLA-DR3-negative grafts. Rejection occurred in 13 HLA-B8-positive recipients, 12 of whom received HLA-B8-negative grafts. Eleven HLA-B8-negative recipients experienced at least one rejection episode and 9 of these had received HLA-B8-negative grafts. Based upon these data we conclude: 1) that recurrence of putative ACALD is more likely to occur in HLA-DR3-positive recipients of HLA-DR3-negative grafts; (2) that recurrences were not seen in recipients of HLA-DR3-positive grafts; (3) that HLA-B8 status does not affect disease recurrence; and (4) that neither the HLA-B8 nor the DR3 status of the graft or recipient has an effect on the observed frequency of rejection.
- Uknis, M. E., Abu-Elmagd, K., Suwan, S., Block, G., Van Thiel, D., Reyes, J., Tzakis, A., Demetris, A. J., Todo, S., & Starzl, T. E. (1991). Functional analysis of graft lamina propria associated lymphocytes from a recipient of a human cadaveric small bowel allograft primarily immunosuppressed with FK 506. Transplantation proceedings, 23(6), 2943-4.
- Uknis, M. E., Block, G., Abu-Elmagd, K., Suwan, S., Van Thiel, D., Duquesnoy, R., & Zeevi, A. (1991). Sterilization of human small intestine allograft biopsies for later immunologic studies. Transplantation, 52(3), 558-9.
- Rabinovitz, M., Zajko, A. B., Hassanein, T., Shetty, B., Bron, K. M., Schade, R. R., Gavaler, J. S., Block, G., Van Thiel, D. H., & Dekker, A. (1990). Diagnostic value of brush cytology in the diagnosis of bile duct carcinoma: a study in 65 patients with bile duct strictures. Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.), 12(4 Pt 1), 747-52.More infoMalignant strictures of the extrahepatic bile ducts are difficult to distinguish from benign strictures, particularly in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis. Because attempts at diagnosing small cancers with fine-needle aspiration biopsy are not possible in the absence of an associated mass lesion and because the sensitivity of exfoliative biliary cytology is controversial, brush cytology has been used as a potential means of establishing a specific diagnosis of bile duct carcinoma. Herein we report our experience with this technique when performed on 65 patients over a 5-yr period. Each had at least one brushing. Thirty-seven were found to have bile duct carcinoma and 28 were found to have benign strictures. Of these 37, the first brushing was positive for malignancy in 15 (40%), whereas four (11%) had cells suspected but not diagnostic of malignancy. Thirteen patients with bile duct carcinoma whose initial brushings were negative for malignancy had second brushings. Of these, five (38%) had malignant cells, whereas three (24%) yielded suspicious cells. Three of the eight whose first two brushings were negative for malignancy were found to have malignant cells on the third brushing. In contrast, of the 28 patients with benign strictures, malignant cells were never found. However, in two patients, suspicious cells were reported with the first but not the second brushing. A single negative or suspicious cytological finding decreased the probability of bile duct carcinoma to 43%. Two and three sequential negative tests reduced the probability to 32% and 0%, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
- Staschak, S., Wagner, S., Block, G., Van Thiel, D. H., Jain, A., Fung, J., Todo, S., & Starzl, T. E. (1990). A cost comparison of liver transplantation with FK 506 or CyA as the primary immunosuppressive agent. Transplantation proceedings, 22(1), 47-9.
Others
- Block, G. (2000, October). Visceral fat is a predictor of hepatic steatosis and mass. Hepatology.
- Block, G. (2019, May). ERCP-intraductal RFA and EUS-guided RFA in Cholangiocarcinoma and Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma. DDW.
- Block, G. (2017, April). Radiofrequency ablation of pancreatic insulinomas with three year follow up.. manuscript.
- Block, G. (2017, May). Long term follow up of EUS-RFA on insulinomas. DDW Interventional EUS Conference.
- Block, G. (2016, May). EUS-RFA of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. DDW Interventional EUS Conference.
- Block, G. (2000, July). Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine for metabolic disorders. World Technology Center, International Technology Research Institute.