Collaborators

Dr. Janne's main research interests include the study of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and their impact on EGFR-targeted therapeutic agents such Erlotinib and Getfitinib. EGFR mutations occur primarily in a small segment of lung cancer patients, but these patients have a high response rates to such treatments. Dr. Janne's lab is studying mechanisms of developing resistance to these agents and to identify novel ways to overcome the resistance using newer agents in the labs and in clinical trials.

1) Genetic modifiers of cancer susceptibility; 2) Development of transgenic and knockout models for multistage tumor development; 3) Genetic alterations and biological changes during tumor invasion and metastasis.

Extracellular proteases influence the pathology of lung diseases. The lab is interested in the roles of known and novel proteases in normal and diseased lung, emphasizing roles in scarring, ion transport, and anti-bacterial defense. The lab’s traditional focus is on peptidases secreted by mast cells, which are resident inflammatory cells especially abundant in human lung.

The Coussens lab focuses on the role of inflammatory cells and leukocyte proteases as critical regulators of skin, lung and breast cancer development. During wound healing, inflammatory cells are recruited to sites of injury to eliminate potential bacterial infection as well as to facilitate healing by providing growth factors and proteases that are essential to the process. When 'healing' is complete, inflammation resolves and the tissue returns to its former state. Several of these parameters are conserved during tumor development; however, instead of initiating a 'healing' response, inflammatory cells provide growth-promoting factors that help tumors grow.

Dr. Dubey was recruited to UCSF and joined the faculty there in 2005. The Thoracic Oncology Program then selected her to chair the clinical trials site committee with a mandate to expand the program. In addition to her local leadership at UCSF, Dr. Dubey is a core member of the respiratory committee of CALGB, Cancer and Leukemia Group B, a national clinical research group sponsored by the NCI, and a principal investigator on several CALGB trials. Dr. Dubey's long-term goal is to offer a clinical trial at UCSF for every type and stage of lung cancer and to also address the clinical research needs for less common malignancies such as mesothelioma.

Thierry Jahan, M.D. is the one of the region's foremost and highly regarded thoracic oncologists. Dr. Jahan has devoted his life to treating patients with lung cancer, mesothelioma and sarcoma. In addition to his keen clinical insight, Dr. Jahan is known by patients, their families and fellow clinicians for his sense of empathy and compassion.