Jean-Bernard Lazaro, PhD
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Targeting DNA repair genes and the nucleolar proteome to increase cisplatin sensitivity in ovarian cancer
Patients with ovarian cancer who are treated with cisplatin often develop resistance to the drug, as cisplatin acts by damaging cellular DNA, which in turn induces apoptosis. Repair of cisplatin-induced DNA damage by a few cancer cells may cause recurrence of a chemo-resistant cancer. It is likely that controlling the mechanism leading to cisplatin resistance would greatly enhance the efficiency of cisplatin therapy. Dr. Lazaro will work with his mentor, Dr. J. Dirk Iglehart, to define molecular targets to improve cisplatin sensitivity.