Martin Brown

Biography

Martin Brown is currently working as Professor of Radiation Oncology, Emeritus at Stanford University.

Research Interest

We seek to understand the mechanisms responsible for the resistance of solid tumors to cancer therapies and to develop strategies to overcome these resistances. Projects include: 1) We are investigating the role of bone marrow derived cells in restoring the tumor vasculature after radiotherapy (which destroys local angiogenesis). This process is known as vasculogenesis. In particular we seek to improve tumor cure rates by radiotherapy by inhibiting the repair of the tumor vasculature in GBM by circulating cells following radiation to the tumors by selective inhibition of the chemokine pathway(s) responsive for the mobilization and capture in the tumor of the circulating proangiogenic cells. 2) Identification by HTS of small molecule inhibitors of DNA repair by homologous recombination (HR). This DNA repair pathway is crucial to the repair of the cytotoxic lesions caused by many anticancer agents, such as bifunctional alkylating agents and topoisomerase poisons. Many clinical situations exist whereby inhibiting HR will give a therapeutic gain.