Dr. Kapur?s main areas of research include clinical trials on new immune protocols for kidney transplant patients; islet cell research, and developing molecular techniques to monitor and decrease rejection of transplanted organs

Dr. Kapur and Dr. Manikkam Suthanthiran of NY-Presbyterian-Weill Cornell developed a non-invasive test utilizing molecular signatures to more accurately predict organ rejection before outward signs of rejection. This unique test provides the basis for individualized treatment of kidney transplant patients. NY-Presbyterian-Weill Cornell is the only center in the nation to utilize this test, which uses urine biomarkers to predict graft function, rather than the traditional, invasive needle biopsy, which carries with it the potential to cause further complications.

Under molecular guidance, Dr. Kapur is able to fine tune medications for patients, minimizing their exposure to immunosupression over a lifetime that can damage the transplanted organ. Dr. Kapur currently has 400 patients who are being maintained on a steroid-free protocol. Drs. Kapur and Suthanthiran are currently leading a NIH multi-center study to further test the sensitivity and specificity of measuring RNA (mRNA) for key immune cell regulators in renal transplant patients, which will provide surgeons with a more complete appraisal of graft function and risk of organ rejection.

Peer Reviewed Articles

1. Muthukumar T, Dadhania D, Ding R, Snopkowski D, Naqvi R, Lee JB, Hartano C, Baogui L, Sharma VK, Seshan SV, Kapur S, Hancock WW, Schwartz JE, Suthanthiran M. Messenger RNA for FoxP3 in the Urine of Renal-Allograft Recipients. N Engl J Med. 2005 December 1; 358:2342.

2. Tatapudi RR, Muthukumar T, Dadhania D, Ding R, Li B, Sharma VK, Lozada-Pastorio E, Seetharamu N, Hartono C, Serur D, Seshan SV, Kapur S, Hancock WW, and Suthanthiran M. Noninvasive detection of renal allograft inflammation by measurements of mRNA for IP-10 and CXCR3 in urine. Kidney Int., 2004.

3. Muthukumar T, Ding R, Dadhania D, Medeiros M, Li B, Sharma VK, Hartono C, Serur D, Seshan SV, Volk HD, Reinke P, Kapur S, Suthanthiran M. Serine proteinase inhibitor-9, an endogenous blocker of granzyme B/perforin lytic pathway, is hyperexpressed during acute rejection of renal allografts. Transplantation. 2003 May 15;75(9):1565-70.

4. Dadhania D, Muthukumar T, Ding R, Li B, Hartono C, Serur D, Seshan SV, Sharma VK, Kapur S, Suthanthiran M. Molecular signatures of urinary cells distinguish acute rejection of renal allografts from urinary tract infection. Transplantation. 2003 May 27;75(10):1752-4.

5. Ding R, Li B, Muthukumar T, Dadhania D, Medeiros M, Hartono C, Serur D, Seshan SV, Sharma VK, Kapur S, Suthanthiran M. CD103 mRNA levels in urinary cells predict acute rejection of renal allografts. Transplantation 2003 April 27;75(8) 1307-12.

6. Kinkhabwala MM, Guarrera JV, Leno R, Brown RS, Prowda J, Kapur S, Emond JC. Outflow reconstruction in right hepatic live donor liver transplantation. Surgery 2003 Mar;133 (3):243-50.

7. Goldstein MJ, Salame E, Kapur S, Kinkhabwala M, LaPointe-Rudow D, Harren NPP, Lobritto SJ, Russo M, Brown RS, Cataldegirmen G, Weinberg A, Renz JF, Emond JC. Analysis of failure in living donor liver transplantation: differential outcome in children and adults. World J Surg. 2003 Mar;27 (3):356-64.

8. Thomas D, Yang H, Boffa DJ, Ding R, Sharma VK, Lagman M, Li B, Hering B, Mohanakumar T, Lakey J, Kapur S, Hancock WW, Suthanthiran M. Proapoptotic Bax is hyperexpressed in isolated human islets compared with antiapoptotic Bcl-2. Transplantation 2002 Dec 15; 74 (11):1489-96.

9. Yang H, Thomas D, Boffa DJ, Ding R, Li B, Muthukumar T, Sharma VK, Lagman M, Luo GX, Kapur S, Liou HC, Hancock WW, Suthanthiran M. Enforced c-REL deficiency prolongs survival of islet allografts 1. Transplantation 2002 Aug 15; 74 (3):291-8.

10. Salame E, Goldstein MJ, Kinkhabwala M, Kapur S, Finn R, Lobritto S, Brown R Jr, Emond JC. Analysis of donor risk in living-donor hepatectomy: the impact of resection type on clinical outcome. Am J Transplant 2002 Sep;2(8):780-8.

11. Kumar KS, Lefkowitch J, Russo MW, Hesdorffer C, Kinhabwala M, Kapur S, Emond JC, Brown RS Jr. Successful sequential liver and stem cell transplantation for hepatic failure due to primary AL amyloidosis. Gastroenterology 2002 Jun;122 (7):2026-31.

12. Blumenfeld JD, Catanzaro DF, Kinhabwala M, Cheigh J, Hartono C, Serur D, Kapur S, Stubenbord WT, Haschemeyer R, Riggio R. Renin system activation and delayed function of the renal transplant. Am J Hypertens. 2001 Dec;14 (12):1270.

13. Inadomi JM, Kapur S, Kinkhabwala M, Cello JP. The laparoscopic evaluation of ascites. Gastrointest Endosc Clin N Am. 2001 Jan;11(1):79-91.

14. Casavilla FA, Rakela J, Kapur S, Irish W. McMichael J, Demetris AJ, Starzl TE, Fung JJ, Clinical Outcome of Patients with Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection on Survival Following Primary Liver Transplantation Under Tacrolimus, Liver Transplantation and Surgery, 1998. 4(6):448-54

15. Kapur S, Bonham CA, Dodson SF, Corry RJ, New Strategies to Expand the Donor Pool for Whole Organ Pancreas Transplantation, Transplantation. 67(2): 284, 1999.

16. Bonham CA, Kapur S, Geller D, Fung JJ, Pinna AD, Excision and Immediate Revascularization for Hepatic Artery Pseudoaneurysm Following Liver Transplantation, Transplant Proc 31:612, 1999.

17. Garcia N, Kapur S, McClane J, Davis JM. Sugical infections and prophylactic antibiotics: 341 consecutive cases of gallbladder surgery in the era of laparoscopic surgery. J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A. 1997 Jun;7 (3):157-62.

18. Khanna A, Kapur S, Sharma V, Li B, Suthanthiran M, In Vivo Hyperexpression of Transforming Growth Factor-B1 In Mice: Stimulation by Cyclosporine, Transplantation, Vol. 63: 1037-1039, 1997

19. Kapur S, Sharma V, Khanna A, Li B, Sokol K, Suthanthiran M, Regulation of The Anti-Allograft Response by Targeting the CD2 Antigen: A Potential Strategy For the Creation of Transplant Tolerance, Surgical Technology International V, 233-240, 1996

20. Kapur S, Khanna A, Sharma VK, Li B, Suthanthiran M, CD2 Antigen Targeting Reduces Intragraft Expression of mRNA-Encloding Granzyme B and IL-10 and Induces Tolerance, Transplantation, Vol. 62: 249-255, 1996

21. Szem JW, Kapur S, Klemperer J, Barie PS, et al., High-risk intrahospital transport of critically ill patients: safety and outcome of the necessary "road trip".
Crit Care Med. 1995 Oct;23(10):1660-6.

22. Kapur S, Jones WG, Barber AE, Shires GT III, Shires GT, Effects of Cyclosporine Treatment on the Adrenocortical Response to Injury and Infection in Rats, Journal Surgical Research, 53: 357, 1992

23. Jones WAG, Barber AE, Kapur S, Shires GT III, Shires GT, et al., Pathophysiological Glucocorticoid Levels and Survival of Translocating Bacteria, Archives of Surgery, 126: 50, 1991

24. Salmon JE, Kapur S, Maryhew NL, Runquist OA, Kimberly RP, High Dose Intravenous Methyl Prednisolone Enhances Fc-Receptor Mediated Mononuclear Phagocytic Function in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Arthritis and Rheumatism, (6): 717, 1989

25. Salmon JE, Kapur S, Kimberly RP, Opsonin Independent Ligation of Fc-g-Receptors- The 3G8 Bearing Receptors on Neutrophils Mediate the Phagocytosis of Concavalin A- Treated Erythrocytes and Nonopsonized Eschercchia coli, Journal of Experimental Medicine, 166: 1798, 1987


26. Salmon JE, Kapur S, Kimberly RP, Gammaglobulin for Intravenous Use Induces an Fc-g-Receptor Specific Decrement in Phagocytosis by Blood Monocyes, Clinical Immunology and Immunopathology, 43: 23, 1987

Book Chapters

Li B, Sharma VK, Kapur S, Khanna A, Sehajpal P, Suthanthiran M, ?CD2 Antigen: Signaling Features and Strategies to Inhibit CD2 Antigen-Derived Signals? in Recent Developments in Transplantation Medicine, Vol. II Adhesion Molecules, Fusion Proteins, Novel Peptides, and Monoclonal Antibodies, Editor Hans Sollinger, 1995

Abstracts

1. MJ Aull, D Dadhania, D Serur, C Hartano, D Thomas, WT Stubenbord, M Suthanthiran, S Kapur. Are Steroid-Sparing Immunosuppression Regimens Impacting Positively on Co-Morbidities After Renal Transplantation? Submitted for publication/presentation American Transplant Congress, May 2004

2. MJ Aull, D Dadhania, D Thomas, C Hartano, D Serur, WT Stubenbord, M Suthanthiran, S Kapur. Mediators of Viral Infection-Is Induction Therapy or Steroid Use More Important? Submitted for publication/presentation American Transplant Congress, May 2004

3. MJ Aull, S Duja, D Dadhania, C Hartano, WT Stubenbord, M Suthanthiran, S Kapur. The Tacrolimus-Clotrimazole Drug Interaction Should Not Be Ignored. Submitted for publication/presentation American Transplant Congress, May 2004

4. D Dadhania, T Muthukumar, M Aull, C Snopkowski, B Li, R Ding, D Thomas, V Sharma, C Hartono, D Serur, M Suthanthiran, S Kapur. Mechanistic Guide For Monotoring Steroid-Sparing Immunosuppression In Renal Transplant Recipients Utilizing A Noninvasive Surrogate For Protocol Biopsies. Submitted for publication/presentation American Transplant Congress, May 2004

5. P. Anantharaman, D. Dadhania, T. Muthukumar, M. Aull, S. Seshan, C. Hartono, D. Serur, R. Ding, B. Li, S. Kapur, M. Suthanthiran. Measurement of mRNA for Granzyme B in urine in the first week of renal transplantation predicts clinical as well as historical outcome. American Transplant Congress, May 2003

6. P. Anantharaman, D. Dadhania, T. Muthukumar, M. Aull, S. Sehsan, C. Hartono, D. Serur, R. Ding, B. Li, M. Suthanthiran, S. Kapur. Noninvasive surrogate for protocol biopsies of renal allografts and a mechanistic guide for the weaning of immunosuppressive therapy. American Transplant Congress, May 2003.

7. Maximilian Polyak, James V. Guarrera, Ben Arrington, Sandip Kapur, William T. Stubenbord, Milan Kinkhabwala. Introduction Of A Novel Warm Perfusion Solution: Technical And Functional Assessment In A Human Kidney Model. American Transplant Congress, April 2002.

8. Milan Kinkhabwala, James V. Guarrera, Michael R. Marvin, Sandip Kapur, Jean
C. Emond. Strategies For Accessory Vein Reconstruction In Adult Live Donor Liver Transplantation. American Transplant Congress, April 2002.

9. Milan Kinkhabwala, James V. Guarrera, Michael R. Marvin, Sandip Kapur, Jean C. Emond. Strategies For Accessory Vein Reconstruction In Adult Live Donor Livertransplantation. American Transplant Congress, April 2002.

10. M. Kinkhabwala, L. P. Ryan, J. V. Guarrera, S. Kapur, M. R. Marvin, J. C. Emond. Improving Operative Efficiency In Right Hepatic Live Donor Liver Transplantation. American Transplant Congress, April 2002.

11. James V. Guarrera, Prashant Sinha, Michael R. Marvin, Sandip Kapur, Milan Kinkhabwala, Jean C. Emond. Hepatic Artery Reconstruction In Living Donor And Split Liver Transplantation: Do You Need The Microscope? American Transplant Congress, April 2002.

12. James V. Guarrera, Maximilian Polyak, Ben Arrington, Sandip Kapur, William T. Stubenbord, Milan Kinkhabwala. Introduction Of A Novel Warm Perfusion Solution: Implications For Expanding The Organ Donor Pool. American Transplant Congress, April 2002.

13. M. Polyak, B. Arrington, S. Kapur, WT Stubenbord, and M. Kinkhabwala. Novel cold storage solution formulation improves early renal allograft function. Transplant 2000 meeting, May 2000.

14. M. Polyak, B. Arrington, S.Kapur, WT Stubenbord, and M. Kinkhabwala. Maximizing early renal allograft function in the era of donor scarcity: introduction of a novel machine perfusate and results utilizing pulsatile preservation. Transplant 2000 meeting, May 2000.

15. M. Kinkhabwala, RS Brown, S.Kapur, S. Lobritto, P.Harren, D.Lapointe-Rudow, R. Odeh, R.Finn, and JC Emond. Finding the optimal technique in adult living donor transplantation: Is there still a role for auxiliary transplantation? Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease, November 1999.

16. D. Balog, M.Kinkhabwala, M.Abreu, M.Polyak, R.Riggio, S.Kapur, D.Serur, WT Stubenbord, and M. Suthanthiran.Tacrolimus Induction Improves Graft Survival in Cadaveric Kidneys Experiencing Delayed Graft Function. The Minneapolis Transplant Congress, October 1999.

17. MMR Polyak, B.Arrington, WT Stubenbord, S.Kapur, and M.Kinkhabwala. Pulsatile Machine Preservation Improves Long Term Function in the Renal Allograft. American Society of Transplant Surgeons 25th Annual Meeting, May 1999.

18. T. Sotsky, MMR Polyak, R Riggio, WT Stubenbord, S Kapur, D Serur, R Billman, D Balog, and M. Kinkhabwala. Hepatitis C Infection Confers Increased Risk Of Immunologic Failure Following Renal Transplantation. American Society of Transplant Surgeons 25th Annual Meeting , May 1999.

19. MMR Polyak, B. Arrington, S Kapur, WT Stubenbord, and M. Kinkhabwala. Donor Treatment with Phentolamine Mesylate Improves Perfusion Characteristics and Early Renal Allograft Function. American Society of Transplantation 18th Annual Meeting, May 1999.

20. J Rao, M Maluccio, M Talmor, S Kapur, M Suthanthiran, and M Kinkhabwala. Dendritic Cell Conditioning with Cyclosporine: Conversion from an Immunizing to a Tolerogenic Pheonotype. American Society of Transplantation 18th Annual Meeting, May 1999.

21. MMR Polyak, B Arrington, S Kapur, WT Stubenbord, and M. Kinkhabwala. Supplemental reduced Glutathione During Cold Ischemia Does Not Improve early Renal allograft function. American Society of Transplantation 18th Annual Meeting, May 1999.

22. Kapur S, Bonham CA, Dodson SF, Corry RJ, ? New Strategies to Expand the Donor Pool for Whole Organ Pancreas Transplantation?. American Society of Transplant Surgeons Meeting, May 1998.

23. Bonham CA, Kapur S, Geller D, Fung JJ, Pinna AD, ? Excision and Immediate Revascularization For Hepatic Artery Pseudoaneurysm Following Liver Transplantation?. American Society of Transplant Surgeons Meeting, May 1998.

24. Casavilla FA, Rakela J, Kapur S, Montalvo E, Starzl TE, Demetris AJ, Fung JJ, ? Impact of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection on Survival Following Primary Liver Transplantation (OLTX) Under Tacrolimus?. Fourth Congress International Liver Transplantation Society-10/1997

25. Kapur S, Khanna A, Sharma V, Stubenbord WT, Stenzel KH, Rubin AL, Suthanthiran M, ? CD2 Monoclonal antibodies induce antigen specific tolerance.? Surgical Forum, American College of Surgeons Meeting-10/1995

26. Kapur S, Garcia N, McClean J, Davis MJ, Use and Miss use of Surgical Prophylactic Antibiotic Therapy, Surgical Infection Society- 4/1995

27. Kapur S, Khanna A, Sharma V, Stubenbord WT, Stenzel KH, Rubin AL, Suthanthiran M, In-vivo Modulation of the CD 2 Antigen Prolongs Murine Pancreatic Islet Cell Allograft Survival, 13th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Transplant Physicians ? 5/1994

28. Kapur S, Salmon JE, Kimberly RP, Gammaglobin for Intavenous Use Induces an Fc-Receptor Mediated Deficit in Phyagocytosis by Momocytes, American Arthritis and Rheumatism Association Meeting- 1985