2016 Lung Cancer Research Foundation Annual Grant Program
Matthew Oser, MD, PhD
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Research Project:
Identification of new therapeutic targets for small cell lung cancer
Summary:
| Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) accounts for 10-15% of lung cancer with 30,000 new patients diagnosed in the United States each year. In contrast to non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), DNA sequencing studies have not identified frequently mutated oncogenes in SCLC and there are no targeted therapies for SCLC. SCLC is universally characterized by mutations or loss of the RB1 tumor suppressor gene. Dr. Oser uses CRISPR to perform genetic screens to identify new therapeutic targets in SCLC whose effects require the loss of RB1. This concept, known as synthetic lethality, offers the exciting prospect of identifying highly specific targeted therapies with minimal side effects. In addition, Dr. Oser uses CRISPR to develop new mouse models of SCLC to efficiently and rapidly test novel therapeutic targets. |