R. Somwar

Epigenetic targeting of PGBD5-dependent DNA damage in SMARCB1-deficient sarcomas

The paper identifies ATR as a target for combination EZH2 epigenetic therapy in SMARCB1-deficient sarcomas, showing that EZH2 inhibition promotes DNA damage via PGBD5, and that ATR inhibition enhances therapeutic responses.

Overcoming clinical resistance to EZH2 inhibition using rational epigenetic combination therapy

This study identifies mechanisms of resistance to EZH2 inhibition in SMARCB1-deficient cancers and proposes combination therapies to overcome resistance.

MEK inhibitor resistance in lung cancer cells associated with addiction to sustained ERK suppression

The paper identifies drug addiction to MEK inhibitors in KRAS-mutant lung cancer cells, showing that resistance is linked to ERK suppression and KRAS amplification, suggesting therapeutic strategies involving drug holidays.

A novel small molecule that induces cytotoxicity in lung cancer cells inhibits disulfide reductases GSR and TXNRD1

The paper identifies LCS3, a compound that induces oxidative stress in lung cancer cells by inhibiting disulfide reductases GSR and TXNRD1, and shows its synergistic effect with glutathione and thioredoxin pathway inhibition.

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase mediates chromatin rewiring and lineage transformation in lung cancer

This study identifies the ERK-CBP/p300-ETS axis as promoting lineage transformation between neuroendocrine and non-neuroendocrine lung cancer subtypes through chromatin rewiring.

Establishment of multiple novel patient-derived models of desmoplastic small round cell tumor enabling functional characterization of ERBB pathway signaling and pre-clinical evaluation of a novel targeted therapy approach

This study develops new DSRCT models and shows that targeting the ERBB pathway with EGFR inhibitors reduces tumor growth in preclinical models.