The Division of Medical Toxicology is active in research and publishing, participating in clinical trials at Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix. Our unique tertiary toxicology referral service allows us to perform outcomes centered on observational research, and we participate in and lead multicenter national toxicology research. We recently completed enrollment in a multinational, industry-sponsored clinical trial of varespladib — a phospholipase 2A inhibitor for snake envenomation. Participation in a multicenter study of a bedside test (Acetastat) to diagnose acetaminophen poisoning is ongoing. 

Additional recent research publications:

  • Spungen HH, Sherman JM, Ryan K, Krueger JJ, Levine M, Spyres MB. Vasopressor Use, Critical Care Management, and Outcomes in Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blocker Toxicity. J Med Toxicol. 2025 Jul;21(3):304-311. doi: 10.1007/s13181-025-01069-6. Epub 2025 Apr 11. PMID: 40214921.
  • Glaser T, Culbreth R, Liebelt EL, Ruha AM, Greene S, Campleman S, Spyres MB; ToxIC Snakebite Study Group. Analysis of Acute Hypersensitivity Reactions by Antivenom Type and Geographic Location in the North American Snake Bite Registry (NASBR). J Med Toxicol. 2025 Jul;21(3):312-319. doi: 10.1007/s13181-025-01078-5. Epub 2025 May 13. PMID: 40360965.
  • Ruha AM, Spyres MB, Culbreth R, Wolk B, Hoyte C, Campleman S; ACMT ToxIC Snakebite Study Group. Systemic toxicity after rattlesnake envenomation in patients using angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors: A North American Snakebite Registry study. Toxicon. 2025 Apr;258:108292. doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2025.108292. Epub 2025 Mar 5. PMID: 40054781.
  • Glidden E, Gladden RM, Dion C, Spyres MB, Seth P, Aldy K, Mustaquim D; Toxicology Investigators Consortium (ToxIC). Suspected Counterfeit M-30 Oxycodone Pill Exposures and Acute Withdrawals Reported from a Single Hospital - Toxicology Investigators Consortium Core Registry, U.S. Census Bureau Western Region, 2017-2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2024 Jul 25;73(29):642-647. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7329a2. PMID: 39052518; PMCID: PMC11290911.
  • Umbaugh DS, Nguyen NT, Curry SC, Rule JA, Lee WM, Ramachandran A, Jaeschke H; Acute Liver Failure Study Group. The endothelial growth factor Angiopoietin-2 is an accurate prognostic biomarker in patients with acetaminophen-induced acute liver failure. medRxiv [Preprint]. 2025 Feb 21:2025.02.19.25322567. doi: 10.1101/2025.02.19.25322567. PMID: 40034764; PMCID: PMC11875305