My primary research goal is to improve cancer therapy through increased understanding of unique vulnerabilities and mechanisms of treatment resistance. I aim to increase our understanding of molecular signaling pathways in cancer cells with disrupted redox homeostasis, and to mitigate the negative impact of tumour hypoxia on radiation response.We have discovered that a significant portion of pancreatic cancers are sensitive to loss of redox homeostasis through targeting the protein PRDX4. We are investigating how metabolic reprogramming contributes to this vulnerability, and we are exploring the potential for targeting PRDX4 together with radio- and immune-therapy.We also aim to identify the mechanisms underlying protein folding and secretion in hypoxia. This is important because secreted proteins in tumour hypoxia drive aggressive cancer cell behaviour and treatment resistance.Finally, we are involved with clinical trials that build on our previous work showing that the anti-diabetic drug metformin can reduce tumour hypoxia and improve response to radiotherapy.
- Associate Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto
- Member, Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto