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Sharon Cantor, Ph.D.


Professor  
Gladys Smith Martin Chair in Oncology

Headshot of Sharon Cantor
   
Ph.D.:  1997, Tufts University
Postdoctoral research: Harvard Medical School
   
Office: University of Massachusetts Medical School
364 Plantation Street, LRB-415
Worcester, MA 01605
Phone:  508-856-4421
Email:  Sharon.Cantor@umassmed.edu

Research

Lab Website

My laboratory focuses on understanding how tumor suppressor proteins function to maintain genomic integrity and suppress cancer. In particular, we focus on the hereditary breast and ovarian cancer genes, BRCA1, BRCA2 and the BRCA1-associated helicase, FANCJ (BACH1/ BRIP1). Bi-allelic loss of these genes also causes Fanconi anemia (FA), a rare chromosomal instability and cancer syndrome. Our work on FANCJ revealed that DNA repair defects underlie both hereditary breast cancer and FA. Currently, we are employing biochemical and whole-genome screening technologies, to uncover mechanisms regulating DNA repair choice and how cancer cells evade toxic chemotherapies.

Click here for a complete list of published work

Rotation Projects

The laboratory is interested in a range of DNA replication/repair-related topics including (i) Defining biomarkers of “BRCAness” that signifies deficiency in the hereditary breast/ovarian cancer genes, BRCA1 or BRCA2, (ii) Targeting BRCAness as a replication gap vulnerability, (iii) Defining why replication proficiency requires the FANCJ helicase disengage mismatch repair proteins, (iv) Determining if suppressing gaps improves the health of Fanconi anemia patient cells, (v) Hunting down the cancer vulnerability that defines curability, (vi) performing functional genomic screens to uncover mechanisms regulating chemotherapy resistance.

Positions available  

A post-doctoral position and graduate laboratory rotation are available. Email Sharon Cantor

In the News

Getting Results…
  • Research by UMass Chan scientists upends scientific understanding of how anticancer drugs kill cancer

    Research by UMass Chan scientists upends scientific understanding of how anticancer drugs kill cancer

    Research by Sharon Cantor, PhD, and Jenna M. Whalen, PhD, poses a new explanation for how cancer-fighting drugs attack and destroy BRCA1 and BRCA2 tumor cells.

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  • UMass Chan BRIDGE Fund commits $2M in six faculty projects

    UMass Chan BRIDGE Fund commits $2M in six faculty projects

    BRIDGE Innovation and Business Development at UMass Chan Medical School has set aside nearly $2 million in funding for six faculty-led research projects that hold promise for translation to clinical application and commercialization.  

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  • Convocation 2023: Chancellor Collins celebrates symphony of collaboration at UMass Chan

    Convocation 2023: Chancellor Collins celebrates symphony of collaboration at UMass Chan

    Four faculty members were honored with chancellor’s medals and four others were invested as endowed professors at the Convocation and Investiture ceremony at UMass Chan Medical School.

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  • Convocation events 2023

    UMass Chan celebrates start of new academic year with Convocation week

    The festivities begin on Friday, Sept. 8 with the annual White Coat Ceremony, welcoming the new T.H. Chan School of Medicine students into the medical community.

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  • Sharon Cantor and Andres Schanzer appointed to endowed chairs

    Sharon Cantor and Andres Schanzer appointed to endowed chairs

    The University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees voted to approve one new endowed chair at UMass Chan Medical School and the appointment of two accomplished faculty members to endowed chairs.

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  • Communicating science: Sharon Cantor discusses drug resistance in breast, ovarian cancer

    Communicating science: Sharon Cantor discusses drug resistance in breast, ovarian cancer

    Research by Sharon Cantor, PhD, into how chemotherapy works in inherited breast and ovarian cancer overturned a long-held model in the field and will play a key role in developing successful therapies.

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  • Cantor lab rethinks how common chemotherapy drug used in breast and ovarian cancer works

    Cantor lab rethinks how common chemotherapy drug used in breast and ovarian cancer works

    Research from the lab of Sharon Cantor, PhD, provides a new understanding of a PARP inhibitor, a chemotherapy drug commonly used against breast and ovarian cancer.

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  • For GSBS class speaker Sumeet Nayak science brings hope

    For GSBS class speaker Sumeet Nayak science brings hope

    Sumeet Nayak’s research in the lab of Sharon B. Cantor, PhD, has led to a renewed understanding of how cancer develops and has opened up avenues to effectively advance anti-cancer therapies.

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  • UMass Chan researchers forging new understanding of BRCA cancer gene function with NCI grant

    UMMS researchers forging new understanding of BRCA cancer gene function with NCI grant

    A UMass Medical School research team has been awarded a National Cancer Institute grant to advance understanding of how hereditary breast and ovarian cancer genes work, and why tumors lacking these genes are sensitive to chemotherapy.

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