Targeting the DNA Damage Response for Cancer Therapy

This book discusses the latest developments in Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor drug development. It focuses on the translational and clinical development of the latest drugs, as well as the evidence for regulatory approval of PARP inhibitors in multiple different molecular subtypes and tumor indications. The most-up-to-date information on basic scientific research on DNA repair pathways and the DNA Damage Response (DDR) is also covered. Every chapter contains insight into the preclinical, translational along with clinical aspects of a specific DDR inhibitor with key and expert opinion points reinforcing the most important concepts detailed to enable the reader to develop a deep understanding of the topic.

Dr. Shapiro currently serves as Senior Vice President, Developmental Therapeutics, at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI). In this role, he co-leads the Developmental Therapeutics Program for theDana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center (DF/HCC) as well as the Cancer Center’s activities in the NCI-Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (NCI-CTEP) Experimental Therapeutics Clinical Trials Network (ETCTN). He additionally serves as the Clinical Director for the DFCI Center for DNA Damage and Repair, where he has developed multiple predictive and pharmacodynamic biomarkers for DNA repair inhibitor agents, including those targeting PARP, the ATR-CHK1-WEE1 axis, and polymerase theta. Dr. Shapiro practices within the DFCI Center for Cancer Therapeutic Innovation, where he develops and leads multiple early phase trials focused primarily on cell cycle and DNA repair inhibitor therapeutics and provides mentorship to early career investigators. He has made proof-of-mechanism studies a mission of his program and has worked closely with basic and translational scientists at his institution and elsewhere to establish robust preclinical rationale for many trials. He also leads a complimentary laboratory effort where he studies resistance to these agents and their interaction with the immune microenvironment to inform the development of rational combinations.