The long-term goal of our research program is to facilitate the development of novel therapies for cancer patients through a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating GLI transcription factors in a hedgehog (HH) independent manner. We are also interested in understanding the role of GLI proteins in inflammation.<br><br>Our research focuses on 3 overlapping aims: Understanding the biology of Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM); Understanding the role of GLI proteins in regulating inflammation and antibody secretion in normal and WM cells; and Understanding the role of cytokines in the tumor microenvironment (TME) on WM.<br><br>1. Identification and characterization of novel GLI target genes in the tumor microenvironment.<br>2. Characterizing novel epigenetic regulation of WM and the TME.<br>3. Identification and characterization of the role of GLI proteins in Waldenström macroglobulinemia and other B cell malignancies.<br>4. Identification and characterization of novel signaling pathways that regulate GLI proteins.<br>5. Characterization of the role of GLI in inflammation.<br>6. Characterization of the role of GLI in B cell biology and immunoglobulin secretion.
Courses Taught
- BIOL 799H: Honors Senior Thesis
- BIOL 999: Doctoral Dissertation Research
- BMCB 401: Persp Biochem/Mole&Cell Bio
- BMCB 605: Principles of Cell Biology
- BMCB 795W: Invest in Molecular & Cell Bio
- BMCB 799H: Honors Senior Thesis
- BMS 705: Immunology
- BMS 715: Immunology Laboratory
- BMS 730: Ethical Issues in Biomed Sci
- BMS 790: Undergrad Teaching Experience
- BMS 795W: Investigations Biomedical Sci
- BMS 799H: Senior Honors Thesis
- BMS/MICR 705/805: Immunology
- BMS/MICR 715/815: Immunology Laboratory
- INCO 403: Healthcare Professions Seminar
- INCO 590: Student Research Experience
- MCBS 999: Doctoral Research
- MICR 805: Immunology
- NSB 795W: Special Investigations
Research Interests
- Cancer Biology
- Epigenetics
- Immunology
- Lymphoma
- Tumor Immunology
Selected Publications
Matissek, S. J., Han, W., Karbalivand, M., Sayed, M., Reilly, B. M., Mallat, S., . . . Elsawa, S. F. (2021). Epigenetic targeting of Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia cells with BET inhibitors synergizes with BCL2 or histone deacetylase inhibition. EPIGENOMICS, 13(02), 129-144. doi:10.2217/epi-2020-0189
Han, W., Sklavanitis, B. L., Jackson, D. A., Matissek, S. J., & Elsawa, S. F. (2018). The tumor microenvironment protects against ibrutinib but not rituximab-mediated control of Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM) in vivo. In CANCER RESEARCH Vol. 78. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2018-193
Li, W., Gupta, S. K., Knudson, R., Han, W., Elsawa, S. F., Griepp, P., & Gupta, M. (2017, December 8). Targeting Bromodomain and external domain epigenetic reader protein as effective strategy for double hit and triple-hit B-cell lymphoma. In 2017 American Society of Hematology Annual meeting Vol. 1472. Atlanta, GA. Retrieved from http://www.bloodjournal.org/content/130/Suppl_1/1472
Cummings, H., Han, W., Elkwae, K., Vahabzadeh, S., & Elsawa, S. F. (2018, April 11). Effects of Copper on Physical, Mechanical, and Biological Properties of Brushite Cement. In 2018 Society for Biomaterial. Atlanta, GA. Retrieved from https://2018.biomaterials.org/poster-presentations
Han, W., Cummings, H., Fleck, S., Vahabzadeh, S., & Elsawa, S. F. (2018, April 11). Copper Doped Tricalcium Phosphate; Phase Composition and in vitro Interaction with Osteoblast Cells. In 2018 Society for Biomaterials. Atlanta, GA. Retrieved from https://2018.biomaterials.org/poster-presentations
