David J. Shapiro is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Illinois, specializing in cancer research and drug discovery. His work focuses on identifying small molecular biomodulators that serve as novel anticancer drugs and probes for new regulatory pathways. A central aspect of his research involves the compound ErSO, which he has shown can successfully eradicate advanced breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancers. This compound acts by exploiting the estrogen-estrogen receptor signaling pathway and has been validated in mouse xenograft models that replicate human cancers. Shapiro's innovative approach combines genome-wide CRISPR screens and high-throughput screening techniques to discover and target new cancer pathways. Throughout his career, he has received prestigious honors, including being a Guggenheim Fellow and recognition from various scientific journals for his contributions in the field. Shapiro continues to advance the understanding of immunotherapy and necrosis pathways in cancer treatment, focusing on enhancing therapeutic efficacy to combat solid tumors.
University of Illinois • Urbana, IL
Professor in the Department of Biochemistry focusing on cancer research and drug discovery.