Stephen B. Baylin, M.D.
Institutional Affiliation
Deputy Director of the Cancer Center
Associate Director for Basic Research
Virginia and D. K. Ludwig Professor in Cancer Research
The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins
http://www.hopkinskimmelcancercenter.org/index.cfm/
cID/1686/mpage/expertdata.cfm/expID/2
http://humangenetics.jhmi.edu/index.php?Itemid=35&id
=21&option=com_content&task=view
Education
Duke University Medical School
Internship
Duke University Medical School – Department of Internal Medicine
Residency
Duke University Medical School – Department of Internal Medicine
Research
Epigenetic Alterations in Cancer
Impact
We are trying to develop epigenetic therapies as a frontline approach to cancer management. Success would have major implications for cancer therapy and biomarkers for cancer.
Summary of Research
Our group investigates the abnormal suppression of gene activity in cancer which arises through an abnormal modification of, DNA methylation. This change, known as an “epigenetic” abnormality, serves as an alternative to gene mutations to disrupt the activity of genes that might otherwise provide anti-tumor function. Since the genes involved are not mutated, and can be reactivated by removal of the abnormal DNA methylation, this offers a potential therapy strategy for cancer. We work with the drugs that reverse the abnormal gene silencing in an effort to develop epigenetic therapies for cancer. |
