Amyloid-induced neurodegeneration plays a central role in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathogenesis. Here, we show that telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) haploinsufficiency decreases brain-derived neurotrophic factor and
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory condition driven by diverse genetic and nongenetic programs that converge to disrupt immune homeostasis in the intestine.
Germline telomere maintenance defects are associated with an increased incidence of inflammatory diseases in humans, yet whether and how telomere dysfunction causes inflammation are not
In this paper, we provide genetic evidence that telomere dysfunction-induced DNA damage drives classical myelodysplastic syndrome phenotypes and alters common myeloid progenitor differentiation by repressing
Glioblastoma is both the most common and lethal primary malignant brain tumor. Extensive multiplatform genomic characterization has provided a higher-resolution picture of the molecular alterations
Genetic modeling of telomerase extinction reveals vulnerabilities that motivate coincidental inhibition of mitochondrial maintenance and oxidative defense mechanisms to enhance antitelomerase cancer therapy. Read the
Here, we determined that entrenched multi-system degeneration in adult mice with severe telomere dysfunction can be halted and/or reversed by reactivation of endogenous telomerase activity.
This study demonstrated that telomere dysfunction activates p53, which in turn binds and represses PGC-1α and PGC-1β promoters, thereby establishing a direct link between telomere and mitochondrial biology.
Myriad genetic and epigenetic alterations are required to drive normal cells toward malignant transformation. These somatic events commandeer many signaling pathways that cooperate to endow
Review article: Malignant brain tumors strike deep into the psyche of those receiving and those delivering the diagnosis. Malignant gliomas, the most common subtype of
Ron DePinho is an internationally-known leader and recognized for his groundbreaking discoveries in cancer, aging, and age-associated degenerative disorders. His pioneering work and collaborative initiatives across multiple disciplines has yielded better methods of early cancer detection, improved cancer patient care, and new cancer drugs.
With a medical, clinical and scientific research career spanning decades, Dr. DePinho served with distinction as MD Anderson Cancer Center’s fourth president from 2011-2017. At the nation’s top-ranked hospital for cancer care, he conceived and launched a Cancer Moon Shots Program designed to more rapidly convert knowledge into dramatic reductions in cancer suffering and death. This multi-billion dollar initiative involving nearly 2,000 faculty and staff has yielded many practice-changing advances in a number of cancers and inspired the national moon shot program.
By those who know him well, DePinho is described as an eternal optimist and a passionate, visionary thinker. His inspiration for the ambitious and lofty Moon Shots goal came from America’s drive a generation ago to put a man on the moon. “Nothing is impossible if you put your mind to it and cancer patients and their families are counting on us,” DePinho says. “This has become my passion and life’s work to take my diverse background and collaborative insights to make a meaningful difference for as many lives as possible.”
During his six-year tenure as MD Anderson President, DePinho dramatically expanded and improved basic research programs, enhanced the graduate program, recruited many world class faculty, modernized its translational and digital research infrastructure, secured record philanthropy and clinical revenue, and expanded MD Anderson’s global network to 34 institutions in 24 countries, reaching one-third of the global population.
DePinho’s sense of urgency continues today as a faculty member in the Department of Cell Biology at MD Anderson where he leads a research lab of 20 researchers. His most celebrated discoveries include the elucidation of a core molecular pathway for aging, the determination of the basis for the intimate link between advancing age and increased cancer incidence and the demonstration that aging can be reversed.
In addition to his scientific contributions, DePinho has founded several private and publicaly traded biotechnology companies and has served on numerous public and private boards including the NIH human cancer genome atlas project advisory board. He also serves as an advisor for governments, the Vatican and numerous biotech and large biopharma companies focused on oncology. His companies are creating new drugs and diagnostics for the benefit of cancer patients including Tvardi Therapeutics which focuses on STAT3 inhibitors for cancer, inflammation and fibrosis.
DePinho also co-founded and helped establish the Eliminate Cancer Initiative (ECI), working across Australia, UK and the USA communities. The ECI team developed national strategic plan and mobilized nearly $200 million in funding to combat the highly lethal brain cancer, Glioblastoma. This global initiative represents the importance of knowledge sharing, collaboration and innovation.
Most recently, DePinho co-founded Unite to Prevent Cancer. Its mission is to develop a long-term, sustainable system scaled globally to bridge the rapidly widening gap between “knowing and doing” in the prevention of non-communicable diseases and the promotion of overall wellness, beginning with cancer.
Born in the Bronx, New York, DePinho is one of five children of poor immigrant parents who lived the American dream. Dr. DePinho studied biology at Fordham University where he graduated class salutatorian. He received his M.D. degree with distinction in microbiology and immunology from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He performed his residency and postdoctoral training at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center.
DePinho’s independent career began at Einstein as the Feinberg Senior Faculty Scholar in Cancer Research and an ACS Research Professor. He then joined the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School in Boston, where he was the founding Director of the Belfer Institute for Applied Cancer Science and a Professor of Medicine and Genetics at Harvard.
For DePinho’s fundamental contributions to cancer and aging and to healthcare, he has been recognized with numerous honors and awards including membership in the National Academy of Science and Medicine, the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, Honorary Doctorate Degree and Knighthood from Portugal. He is a prolific author of over 400 published articles, books and chapters. Dr. DePinho, his wife and three children reside in Houston, Texas.
Sign up for the latest news and updates from Ron DePinho, MD
