SUMMARY
Although poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors have been a great addition to the therapeutic options available for patients with ovarian cancer, additional therapies and therapeutic combinations are needed. Saravut (John) J. Weroha, M.D., Ph.D., hopes to use his translational research to develop those therapies for ovarian and other gynecological cancers.
Focus areas
- Developing new therapeutic combinations with PARP inhibitors for ovarian cancer
- Understanding mechanisms of resistance to PARP inhibitors in order to develop strategies to overcome resistance
- Using patients' own tumors to predict responses to therapy in the clinic and advise on treatment
- Lead and support clinical trials devoted to patients with gynecological malignancies
- Expand the world's largest collection of patient-derived xenografts (avatars) by continuing to develop ovarian cancer models and adding models for endometrial and rare gynecological cancers
Significance to patient care
As a medical oncologist treating recurrent and new gynecological cancers, Dr. Weroha sees patients who are asking questions, looking for cures and searching for hope. Through his research, he turns to science to find the answers, develop the cures and create hope for these patients. Dr. Weroha's research goal is to contribute to the knowledge that will improve current therapies and create new ones for patients with ovarian cancer and other gynecological malignancies.