Department of Radiation Oncology Research - Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Department of Radiation Oncology

Our investigators are bringing new techniques to patients of radiation oncology through scientific research.

We are discovering ways to deliver higher doses of radiation to a tumor, while reducing effects to surrounding healthy tissue.

Our research involves innovative collaboration with other fields as we aim to better identify and treat cancer.

The Department of Radiation Oncology combines advances in clinical and laboratory research with developments in radiation physics.

Department of Radiation Oncology

The Department of Radiation Oncology is committed to combining advances in clinical research and laboratory research with developments in radiation physics, in order to promote a better understanding of the biology of cancer and the improvement of treatment methods.

Our Research Themes

The unifying research aim of the department is the understanding of genomic instability in human cancer in order to tailor therapies for cancer patients. Departmental research is focused on the treatment of tumors and on increasing the understanding of treatments at the molecular and cellular levels.

Our members' research laboratories are advancing the department's aim and focus in the following ways:

Biology

Haas-Kogan Lab: Exploring Signaling Pathways

Daphne Haas-Kogan, MD, is studying signaling pathways commonly activated in gliomas and pediatric malignancies and inhibitors that target elements within these pathways. Her laboratory attempts to promote progress not only in defining the genomic landscape of human gliomas and pediatric cancers, but also in sensible implementation of targeted therapeutics to maximally impact signaling response.

Chowdhury Lab: Discovering DNA Damage Response

Dipanjan Chowdhury, PhD, is studying two aspects of the DNA damage response: the dephosphorylation of DNA repair proteins via phosphatases, and the decreased expression of repair factors via microRNAs (miRNAs).

D'Andrea Lab: Understanding Chromosomal Instability Syndromes

Alan D'Andrea, MD, is studying the molecular signaling pathways that regulate the DNA damage response in mammalian cells. D'Andrea's focus is the molecular pathogenesis of the human chromosomal instability syndromes: Fanconi anemia (FA), ataxia-telangiectasia, and Bloom syndrome.

Makrigiorgos Lab: Identifying Tumor Signatures

Gerassimos (Mike) Makrigiorgos, PhD, is studying the identification and tracing of tumor signatures in cancer samples. His laboratory has a special interest in developing new technologies for cancer molecular diagnostics and molecular profiling for personalized medicine. He has developed a range of methodologies for evaluation of tumor-specific genetic changes, such as mutation and methylation.

Mancias Lab: Understanding the Biology of Pancreatic Cancer

Joseph Mancias, MD, PhD, is focused on the study of pancreatic cancer, particularly the critical aspects of the biology of pancreatic cancer in order to develop novel therapeutic approaches. The Mancias Lab combines biochemical, quantitative mass spectrometry-based proteomic, gene editing, cell biological, and mouse modeling techniques to advance our understanding of pancreatic cancer.

Mouw Lab: DNA Repair Pathway Alterations in Tumors

Kent Mouw, MD, PhD, is using a combination of genomic and functional approaches to study the role of DNA repair pathway alterations in tumor behavior and treatment response. Along with collaborators, Mouw is working to identify DNA repair biomarkers to guide the use of chemotherapy, radiation, and targeted agents.

Price Lab: Uncovering DNA Repair Mechanisms

Brendan Price, PhD, has made major advances in understanding the role of the ataxia-telangiectasia gene product (ATM) as a sensor of DNA damage and a regulator of radiation resistance in the irradiated cell. The findings of the Price Lab offer great potential in the rational design of combination cancer therapy specifically targeting components of the ATM-Tip60 complex and the proteins that contribute to maintaining histone methylation marks on the chromatin.

Spektor Lab: Uncovering Genome Evolution in Therapy Resistance

Alexander Spektor, MD, PhD, studies the mechanisms underlying genome evolution during tumorigenesis and in therapy resistance. Additionally, he aims to exploit cancer-specific vulnerabilities – such as the recent finding that cancer cells exhibit nuclear envelope fragility – as potential therapeutic strategies.
Physics

Aerts Lab: Using Imaging Data in Radiation Research

Hugo Aerts, PhD, studies the role of imaging data for precision medicine. Aerts's laboratory focuses on the application of advanced computational approaches, such as radiomics, to quantify the tumor phenotype using advanced data characterization algorithms, which in turn can be used to develop biomarkers that complement those derived from biopsies.

Berbeco Lab: Combining Nanomedicine and Radiation Therapy

Ross Berbeco, PhD, is studying methods for improving the accuracy and precision of clinical radiation therapy delivery. Additionally, Berbeco is studying the combination of novel nanoparticle formulations with clinical radiation therapy delivery.
Support Our Cancer Research

To learn more about the many ways you can support Dana-Farber's research initiatives with a philanthropic gift, please contact Rebecca Shortle at 617-632-4215 or rebecca_shortle@dfci.harvard.edu.

Contact Us

If you are interested in learning more about our research, please email Joseph Mancias, MD, PhD.