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Practice Locations

CU Medicine Medical Oncology
Highlands Ranch Specialty Care Center
1500 Park Central Drive Suite 101, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129

720-516-1100

Wells Messersmith, MD

Medical Oncology

Board Certified

Schedule Appointment

  • Title(s)

    Division Head, Associate Director for Translational Research

  • Gender

    Male

  • Languages

    English

  • Department

    Professor, Medicine-Medical Oncology

  • Specialty

    Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology

  • Primary Clinic Phone

    (720) 848-0300

  • Hospital Affiliations

    University of Colorado Hospital, UCHealth Highlands Ranch Hospital
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Referring Provider Info

Locations

Practice Locations

University of Colorado Cancer Center
CU Anschutz Medical Campus
1665 Aurora Ct, Aurora, CO 80045

720-848-0300

CU Medicine Medical Oncology
Highlands Ranch Specialty Care Center
1500 Park Central Drive Suite 101, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129

720-516-1100

Pancreas & Biliary Multidisciplinary Clinic - Anschutz
1665 Aurora Ct 3rd Floor, Aurora, CO 80045

1-855-824-7262

UCHealth Anschutz Outpatient Pavilion - Anschutz Medical Campus
1635 Aurora Ct Aurora, CO 80045

720-848-0000

UCHealth Lone Tree Medical Center
9548 Park Meadows Drive Lone Tree, CO 80124

720-848-2200

UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital (UCH)
12605 E. 16th Ave Aurora, CO 80045

720-848-0000

Provider Expertise

Clinical Interest for Patients

I am interested in Gastrointestinal Cancers (Colorectal, Pancreatic, Gastric, Esophageal, Hepatocellular, Gallbladder, Bile Ducts, Anal, GI, Stromal Tumors, Abdominal Carcinoma of Unknown Primary), Drug Development (Experimental Therapeutics) and Translational Research.


Care Philosophy

We strive to provide patient-focused, personalized, multi-disciplinary care for gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. Our specialized providers in Medical Oncology (chemotherapy and targeted therapies), Surgical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Pathology, Molecular Pathology, Radiology, Interventional Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, Gastroenterology (both Hepatology and Interventional Endoscopy), Nutrition, and Integrative Medicine work together to achieve the best outcomes for our patients. We have weekly GI cancer tumor boards, where our specialists come together to discuss patients and patient care.


Specialties

  • Internal Medicine ( 2001 )
  • Medical Oncology ( 2003 )

Conditions & Treatments

  • Cancers

    Anal Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Gastroenterologic Cancer (Colon, Stomach, Esophageal, Liver), Pancreatic Cancer

  • Digestive System

    Gastroenterology (Stomach, Bowel, General GI Problems)

Interests & Activities

Volunteer Activities

I have given GI cancer lectures at national meetings (ASCO, AACR) and at community cancer centers across the US and Europe. I also participate in grant, abstract, and manuscript reviews in my field.


Education & Training

Medical Schools

MD, Harvard Medical School (1998)


Undergraduate Schools

BA, Williams College (MA) (1992)


Internships

Massachusetts General Hospital Program (1999)


Residency Program

Massachusetts General Hospital Program (2001)


Fellowships

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Program (2004)

Professional Memberships

AACR - American Association of Cancer Research, Member


ASCO - American Association of Clinical Oncology, Member


Research & Grants

Research Interests for Patients

My lab is mainly focused on using a personalized approach in developing new anticancer drugs for GI cancers. In particular, the lab uses a novel colorectal and pancreatic explant model whereby tumor tissue is obtained from the operating room and then placed directly into mice. Tumors are treated with new drugs and predictive biomarkers of sensitivity are discovered. These predictive markers are used in the clinic to pre-select patients that would most likely derive benefit from these new drugs. Additionally, these tumors are evaluated in orthotopic and metastatic models. Current anticancer drugs in the lab target Notch (g-secretase), Src, and hedgehog pathways.

information for referring providers

Referral Contact Phone

(720) 848-0300

Referral Contact Fax

720-848-0360

Clinical Interests for Referring Providers

Gastrointestinal Cancers (Colorectal, Pancreatic, Gastric, Esophageal, Hepatocellular, Gallbladder, Bile Ducts, Anal, GI, Stromal Tumors, Abdominal Carcinoma of Unknown Primary), Drug Development (Experimental Therapeutics), Translational Research

Research Interest for Referring Providers

My lab is mainly focused on using a personalized approach in developing new anticancer drugs for GI cancers. In particular, the lab uses a novel colorectal and pancreatic explant model whereby tumor tissue is obtained from the operating room and then placed directly into mice. Tumors are treated with new drugs and predictive biomarkers of sensitivity are discovered. These predictive markers are used in the clinic to pre-select patients that would most likely derive benefit from these new drugs. Additionally, these tumors are evaluated in orthotopic and metastatic models. Current anticancer drugs in the lab target Notch (g-secretase), Src, and hedgehog pathways.