Debra Kamstock

Name of Investigator: Debra A. Kamstock
Title: Assistant Professor

Contact Information:
Email Address: debra.kamstock@colostate.edu
Work Address (mailing): Microbiology Immunology and Pathology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, 1619 Campus Delivery, 300 West Drake Road, Fort Collins, CO 80523
Office Location (Building/Room #): ACC 221A, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
Office Phone Number: (970) 297-5423
Laboratory Location (Building/Room #): ACC 252, Molecular Pathology Lab
Laboratory Phone Number: (970) 297-4087

Biography of Investigator:
Dr. Kamstock is a board certified anatomic veterinary pathologist with a special interest in oncologic pathology and cancer research. Dr. Kamstock pursued both her undergraduate and veterinary training at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida (Go GATORS!) acquiring her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1996. Following her veterinary training, she completed a one year internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Rowley Memorial Animal Hospital /MSPCA in Springfield, MA which was succeeded by two years in general practice. It was during her sophomore year of Veterinary School however that Dr. Kamstock realized her passion for understanding pathophysiology of disease, interest in oncology, and desire to pursue cancer research. Thus, in 1999, Dr. Kamstock relocated from the sunshine state to Ram Country to begin a combined anatomic pathology residency / Ph.D. program at Colorado State University with an investigative focus on tumor angiogenesis and immunology.

Dr. Kamstock is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology with a service commitment in diagnostic pathology to the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and is an active Member of the Animal Cancer Center. She maintains a strong interest in understanding pathogeneses of disease, oncologic pathology, and cancer research and currently collaborates on multiple projects with other investigators of the Animal Cancer Center and additionally provides pathology support for the ACC tissue bank. Dr. Kamstock appreciates academia for its opportunities to assist in the advancement of investigative training, pathology training, and veterinary education, through instruction of graduate students, pathology residents, and veterinary students respectively and is grateful to have the opportunity to work with the exceptional group of individuals at the ACC. Dr. Kamstock is additionally joined in the area of pathology by her father Dr. Edwin L. Kamstock, MD and cousin, Dr. Steven A. Bogen, MD, Ph.D.

Classes Taught/Currently Teaching:

Research Focus:
Currently, research involvement is predominantly through collaborative efforts providing pathology support to other members of the CSU Animal Cancer Center. Recent and current collaborative projects include;

  1. Identification of lymph drainage patterns and sentinel lymph node detection in dogs with primary appendicular osteosarcoma and oral melanoma.
  2. Long term radiotoxicity study of repeat dose intravenous radium-223 in normal dogs; a preliminary study for potential use in dogs with osteosarcoma.
  3. Stereotactic radiotherapy for treatment of appendicular osteosarcoma.


Current and ongoing independent research projects include;

  1. Clinical, microscopic, and phenotypical characterization of neoplastic and non-neoplastic feline hepatic lymphocytic diseases.
  2. A retrospective study of feline intestinal sclerosing mast cell tumors.


Future Direction:
Future directions include continued collaborative efforts with members of the Animal Cancer Center as well as the development of new collaborations with external investigators at other institutions as well as industry.

Independent investigations will continue to develop over time arising from diagnostic investigation in the capacity of both prospective and retrospective studies of spontaneous oncologic disease in both dogs and cats.  Special interests in immunohistochemistry, angiogenesis, and tumor immunology will additionally gain attention as research development progresses.

Name of Laboratory:
Molecular Pathology Lab

Laboratory Personnel:
Brad Charles - Laboratory Coordinator

List of Major Laboratory Equipment:

  1. Ventanna Discovery Automated Stainer for immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization
  2. 1D and 2D gel electrophoresis
  3. Zeiss Automated microscope with image analysis and epifluorescence


Current Work/Projects:

  1. Clinical, Micrsocopic, and Phenotypical Characterization of Neoplastic and Non-neoplastic Feline Hepatic Lymphocytic Diseases
  2. Clinical and Microscopic Characterization of Feline Intestinal Sclerosing Mast Cell Tumors
  3. Co-Investigator - Long Term Radiotoxicity Study of Repeat Dose Intravenous Radium-223 in Normal Dogs (Primary Investigator - Dr. Stewart Ryan)
  4. Co-Investigator - Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Treatment of Appendicular Osteosarcoma in Dogs (Primary Investigator - Dr. Stewart Ryan)
  5. ACC Tissue Bank - One of two (Ehrhart & Kamstock) - Board Certified Anatomic Pathologist for tissue review and diagnosis confirmation

Publications:
Kamstock DA, Fredrickson R, Ehrhart EJ.: Lipid-rich carcinoma of the mammary gland in a cat. Vet Path. 42(3): 360-362, 2005.

Kamstock DA, Guth A, Elmslie R, Kurzman I, Liggit D, Coro L, Fairman J, Dow S.: Liposome-DNA complexes infused intravenously inhibit tumor angiogenesis and elicit antitumor activity in dogs with soft tissue sarcoma. Cancer Gene Ther. 13(3): 306-317, 2006.

Kamstock DA, Elmslie R, Thamm D, Dow S.: Evaluation of a xenogeneic VEGF vaccine in dogs with soft tissue sarcoma. Cancer Immunol Immunother. 56(8): 1299-309, 2007.

Liptak JM, Kamstock DA, Dernell WS, Ehrhart EJ, Rizzo SA, Withrow SJ.: Cranial mediastinal carcinoma in nine dogs. Vet Compar Oncol. 6(1): 19-30, 2008.

Liptak JM, Dernell WS, Rizzo SA, Monteith GJ, Kamstock DA, Withrow SJ.: Reconstruction of chest wall defects after rib tumor resection: A comparison of autogenous, prosthetic, and composite techniques in 44 Dogs. Vet Surg. 37(5): 479-487, 2008.

Liptak JM, Kamstock DA, Dernell WS, Monteith GJ, Rizzo SA, Withrow SJ.: Oncologic outcome after curative-intent treatment in 39 dogs with primary chest wall tumors (1991-2005). Vet Surg. 37(5): 488-496, 2008.

Sullivan EK, Kamstock DA, Turner SA, Goldman SM, Kronengold RT.:  Evaluation of a flexible collagen surgical patch for reinforcement of a fascial defect: experimental study in a sheep model. J Biomed Mat Res Part B: Appl Biomat. 87(1): 88-94, 2008.

Gardiner DW, Tiefke JP, Podell BK, Kamstock DA.: Equine fibropapilloma of the glans penis in a horse. J Vet Diagn Invest. 20(6): 2008 (In Press.)

Uren L, Kamstock DA, Dow S.: Endogenous Type I interferons inhibit the generation of tumor associated macrophages. J Immun. (In Review.)

Post Doctorates/Graduate Students:
Name: Kerri Glassner (Honors Thesis Undergraduate Student)
Email Address: kerri.glassner@colostate.edu
Area of Study: Biological Science
Graduation Date: Spring 2009

Name: Chuck Halsey
Email Address: charles.halsey@colostate.edu
Area of Study: Anatomic Pathology Resident/Ph.D. Candidate