Kathleen M. Sakamoto
Academic Appointments
- Professor, Pediatrics - Hematology & Oncology
- Member, Child Health Research Institute
Key Documents
Contact Information
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Clinical Offices
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology 725 Welch Rd MC 5913 Palo Alto, CA 94304 Tel Work (650) 497-8953 Fax (650) 497-8101Pediatric Hematology/Oncology 725 Welch Rd MC 5913 Palo Alto, CA 94304 Tel Work (650) 497-8953 Fax (650) 497-8101Practices at Stanford Hospital and Clinics and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital
- Academic Offices
Personal Information Email Tel (650) 725-7126Not for medical emergencies or patient use
Professional Overview
Clinical Focus
- Pediatric Hematology-Oncology
Administrative Appointments
- Chief, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/Stem Cell Transplantation/Cancer Biology, Bass Cancer Center, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital (2011 - present)
- Fellowship Program Director, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/Stem Cell Transplant (2011 - present)
Honors and Awards
- Standing Member, NIDDK-D Study Section for Training Grants and K awards (2011-present)
- Chair, Myeloid Biology Subcommittee, American Society of Hematology (2011)
- Brett Ely Visiting Professor in Pediatric Oncology, University of Colorado and Children's Hospital Denver (2011)
- Outstanding advances in cancer research award, Mendiburu Magic Foundation (2010)
- Fernbach Distinguished Visiting Professor Lectureship, Texas Children's Cancer Center (2009)
- Gift of Hope Award, Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation (2008)
Professional Education
| Fellowship: | Children's Hospital of Los Angeles CA (1991) |
| Board Certification: | Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, American Board of Pediatrics (1992) |
| Board Certification: | General Pediatrics, American Board of Pediatrics (1989) |
| Residency: | Children's Hospital of Los Angeles CA (1988) |
| Medical Education: | University of Cincinnati College of Medicine OH (1985) |
| B.A.: | Williams College, Biology (1979) |
Postdoctoral Advisees
Catherine Aftandilian, Erin Breese, Yoan Konto Ghiorghi, Bryan Mitton, Minyoung Youn
Graduate & Fellowship Program Affiliations
Internet Links
Scientific Focus
Current Research Interests
Transcriptional regulation in leukemogenesis
CREB is a leucine zipper transcription factor that controls cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival. CREB is overexpressed in bone marrow cells from the majority of patients with acute lymphoblastic and myeloid leukemia. CREB transgenic mice develop myeloproliferative disease, i.e. preleukemia, but not acute leukemia. Therefore, CREB is an oncogene that requires additional mutations. We are studying other cooperating oncogenes that contribute to leukemogenesis. In addition, downstream target genes are being explored. We are also studying a small molecule inhibitor of CREB for the treatment of acute leukemia.
Targeted therapy for leukemia and other cancers
In collaboration with pharmaceutical companies, we are testing novel compounds to target specific signaling molecules in AML. Among the small molecules being studied in vitro and in vivo are inhibitors of receptor tyrosine kinases, aurora kinases, and anti-apoptotic proteins. Mechanistic pathways are being investigated.
Protacs are chimeric molecules to target cancer causing proteins for ubiquitination and degradation. We have demonstrated the feasibility of using this approach in prostate and breast cancer cell lines to target the androgen and estrogen receptors for ubiquitination and degradation, resulting in apoptosis. Approaches are being developed to design Protacs for clinical trials in humans.
Signaling Pathways in bone marrow failure syndromes
Defects in ribosome biogenesis have been associated with specific bone marrow failure syndromes, such as Diamond Blackfan Anemia. We are studying the signaling pathways that are altered by deficiency in specific ribosomal protein subunits. Zebrafish, mouse, and human cells are being used to characterize p53-dependent and independent pathways mediating aberrant erythropoiesis and increased risk of cancer in these patients. Novel drugs are being tested.
Publications
- CREB and leukemogenesis. Crit Rev Oncog. 2011; (1-2): 37-46
- The multitargeted receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor linifanib (ABT-869) induces apoptosis through an Akt and glycogen synthase kinase 3β-dependent pathway. Mol Cancer Ther. 2011; (6): 949-59
- Ribosomal protein S19 deficiency in zebrafish leads to developmental abnormalities and defective erythropoiesis through activation of p53 protein family. Blood. 2008; (13): 5228-37
- The role of CREB as a proto-oncogene in hematopoiesis and in acute myeloid leukemia. Cancer Cell. 2005; (4): 351-62
- Ubistatins inhibit proteasome-dependent degradation by binding the ubiquitin chain. Science. 2004; (5693): 117-20
- Development of Protacs to target cancer-promoting proteins for ubiquitination and degradation. Mol Cell Proteomics. 2003; (12): 1350-8
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