Thuy-Vy Do, PhD
Fox Chase Cancer Center
Preclinical Evaluation of Aurora A Kinase and PARP Inhibitor Combination Therapy
Women carrying mutations in the breast-cancer associated 1 or 2 (BRCA1/2) genes are at higher risk for developing epithelial ovarian cancer. BRCA1/2 play critical roles in repairing DNA and helping genes avoid mutation. Interestingly, BRCA1/2 is not functioning optimally in cases of sporadic epithelial ovarian cancer, and BRCA2 and Aurora A interact in cells to regulate genomic stability. Dr. Do will test the hypothesis that Aurora A and BRCA1/2 interact to mediate DNA repair and cell growth. An Aurora A kinase inhibitor and a PARP inhibitor will be tested as therapies for ovarian cancer.