Weei-Chin Lin, MD, PhD
Baylor College of Medicine
Target a new mechanism of checkpoint defect in ovarian cancer
Normal cellular growth is regulated by a process called replication checkpoint. Most ovarian cancers contain the tumor suppressor p53 that is mutated and therefore interferes with proper replication checkpoint function. Dr. Lin’s preliminary data uncovered a novel activity in mutant p53 that is responsible for replication checkpoint defects. By performing a large-scale compound screen, he has identified novel compounds that target the checkpoint defect. Dr. Lin will now test the antitumor activity of two active compounds in ovarian cancer to see if p53 can be targeted to restore replication checkpoint functions that would inhibit cancer growth.