Wells Messersmith, MD
Professor, Medicine-Medical Oncology

Division Head
Associate Director for Translational Research
Clinic (720) 848-0300
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Gender: Male
Languages: English
Department, Section/Division: Medicine-Medical Oncology

Practice Locations

University of Colorado Cancer Center - Anschutz Medical Campus
1665 Aurora Ct
Aurora, CO 80045
720-848-0300
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CU Medicine Medical Oncology - Highlands Ranch Specialty Care Center
1500 Park Central Drive
Suite 101
Highlands Ranch, CO 80129
720-516-1100
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UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital (UCH)
12605 E. 16th Ave
Aurora, CO 80045
720-848-0000
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UCHealth Anschutz Outpatient Pavilion - Anschutz Medical Campus
1635 Aurora Ct
Aurora, CO 80045
720-848-0000
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UCHealth Lone Tree Medical Center
9548 Park Meadows Drive
Lone Tree, CO 80124
720-848-2200
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Pancreas & Biliary Multidisciplinary Clinic - Anschutz
1665 Aurora Ct
3rd Floor
Aurora, CO 80045
1-855-824-7262
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Hospital Affiliation
  • University of Colorado Hospital
  • UCHealth Highlands Ranch Hospital
Center Affiliations

Specialty Information

Specialties
  • Internal Medicine, Board Certification (2001)
  • Internal Medicine - Medical Oncology, Board Certification (2003)
Conditions & Treatments
  • Cancers
  • Anal Cancer
  • Colorectal Cancer
  • Gastroenterologic Cancer (Colon, Stomach, Esophageal, Liver)
  • Pancreatic Cancer
  • Digestive System
  • Gastroenterology (Stomach, Bowel, General GI Problems)
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.

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, Internal Medicine (2001)

Fellowships:
  • Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Program, Medical Oncology (2004)

Recognition & Awards

  • Fellow, American Society of Clinical Oncology (2019)
  • Michaele C. Christian Oncology Development Award & Lectureship, National Cancer Institute (2018)
  • Clinical Investigator Team Leadership Award, National Cancer Institute (2009)
    The purpose of this grant is to support leaders in clinical investigation and translational science.
  • Fellow, American College of Physicians (2008)

Professional Memberships

  • AACR - American Association of Cancer Research, Member
  • ASCO - American Association of Clinical Oncology, Member

Research & Grants

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term="Messersmith WA"[Author] or "Messersmith W"[Author]
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

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.
Clinic Phone: (720) 848-0300
Fax Phone: (303) 724-3892
Lab Phone: (303) 724-3808