Research Bio
The Becker lab studies malignant stem cell populations in myeloid neoplasms. By combining the power of cell sorting, qPCR based gene expression analysis and advanced normal and cancer stem cell models, we are now able to characterize the contribution of normal somatic tissue stem cells to the development of cancers, including Acute Myelogenous Leukemia and MDS. Our lab uses model systems and gene expression analysis to compare normal stem cells with their malignant counterparts with the goal of an improved understanding of the origins of cancer stem cells and to identify novel targets for therapy.
We have employed a unique flow cytometry platform and analysis approach to differentiate normal and malignant stem cell and progenitor populations in patients undergoing treatment for AML and MDS. This platform allows us to assess the impact of therapy on malignant stem cell populations and their gene signatures in patients undergoing treatment of their disease. In addition, we are interested in the role of the microenvironment in supporting malignant stem cell populations.
2014 Aug
Guzman ML, Yang N, Sharma KK, Balys M, Corbett CA, Jordan CT, Becker MW, Steidl U, Abdel-Wahab O, Levine RL, Marcucci G, Roboz GJ, Hassane DC. "Selective activity of the histone deacetylase inhibitor AR-42 against leukemia stem cells: a novel potential strategy in acute myelogenous leukemia." Molecular cancer therapeutics. 2014 Aug; 13(8):1979-90. Epub 2014 Jun 16. |
2014 Jul 3
Zahreddine HA, Culjkovic-Kraljacic B, Assouline S, Gendron P, Romeo AA, Morris SJ, Cormack G, Jaquith JB, Cerchietti L, Cocolakis E, Amri A, Bergeron J, Leber B, Becker MW, Pei S, Jordan CT, Miller WH, Borden KL. "The sonic hedgehog factor GLI1 imparts drug resistance through inducible glucuronidation." Nature. 2014 Jul 3; 511(7507):90-3. Epub 2014 May 28. |
2014
Brown JT, Burack WR, Becker MW, Vlad-Vonica R, Nadasdy T, Bennett JM, Mendler JH. "Extracellular crystals in plasma cell myeloma." Leukemia research reports. 2014 3(2):49-50. Epub 2014 Jun 18. |
2013 Nov 22
Pei S, Minhajuddin M, Callahan KP, Balys M, Ashton JM, Neering SJ, Lagadinou ED, Corbett C, Ye H, Liesveld JL, O'Dwyer KM, Li Z, Shi L, Greninger P, Settleman J, Benes C, Hagen FK, Munger J, Crooks PA, Becker MW, Jordan CT. "Targeting aberrant glutathione metabolism to eradicate human acute myelogenous leukemia cells." The Journal of biological chemistry. 2013 Nov 22; 288(47):33542-58. Epub 2013 Oct 02. |
2013 Nov 1
Ho TC, Becker MW. "Defining patient-specific risk in acute myeloid leukemia." Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. 2013 Nov 1; 31(31):3857-9. Epub 2013 Sep 23. |
