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Ethel Cesarman, MD, PhD, Principal Investigator
Our laboratory is involved in studying the process of viral oncogenesis in human cancer. We are performing molecular characterization of AIDS-associated lymphomas and Kaposi’s sarcoma, which are frequently associated with infection by EBV (HHV-4) or KSHV (HHV-8), with the goal of identifying molecular targets and developing improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Active Projects
- Analysis the viral proteins that provide survival signals to infected tumor cells
- Develop mouse models of virus-induced malignancy, using xenografts and genetic engineering.
- Genomics of lymphomas that occur in association with viral infection.
- Develop methodologies for improved point-of-care diagnosis viral malignancies in poor resource settings.
Active Grants
- Defining the Cellular Oncogenome of Kaposi Sarcoma
PI: Ethel Cesarman MD,PhD
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Exploratory/Development Grant - Nucleoside Analogue Selectively Activated by Adenosine Kinase to Treat ADK-expressing Adenocarcinomas
PI: Ethel Cesarman MD,PhD
The Daedalus Fund for Innovation Research Grant - KS-Detect: Kaposi Sarcoma Herpesvirus Research
PI: Ethel Cesarman, MD,PhD
Kenneth Horowitz Family Foundation Research Grant - KS-Detect: A solar-powered and smartphone integrated instrument for point-of care diagnosis of Kaposi's sarcoma
PI: Ethel Cesarman, MD,PhD
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Research Subgrant - Modeling KSHV latency in vivo
PI: Ethel Cesarman, MD,PhD
National Cancer Institute (NIH) - Laboratory Site Agreement
PI: Ethel Cesarman, MD,PhD
The AIDS Malignancy Consortium - Targeting vFLIP for the Treatment of KSHV-Associated Malignancies
PI: Ethel Cesarman, MD,PhD
National Cancer Institute (NIH) - Immunology Research Training Program
PI: Ethel Cesarman, MD,PhD
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIH) - Solar-Thermal PCR biosensing assay for the diagnosis of Kaposi’s sarcoma in limited resource settings
PIs: Ethel Cesarman, MD, PhD, David Erickson, PhD
Weill Cornell CTSC Seed Funds
Selected Publications
AMC 048: modified CODOX-M/IVAC-rituximab is safe and effective for HIV-associated Burkitt lymphoma
Ethel Cesarman, MD, PhD
AMC 048: modified CODOX-M/IVAC-rituximab is safe and effective for HIV-associated Burkitt lymphoma
Blood. 2015 Jul 9;126(2):160-6.
Noy A, Lee JY, Cesarman E, Ambinder R, Baiocchi R, Reid E, Ratner L, Wagner-Johnston N, Kaplan L; AIDS Malignancy Consortium.
PMID: 25957391; PMCID: PMC4497960
Read MoreThe tumor virus landscape of AIDS-related lymphomas
Ethel Cesarman, MD, PhD, Amy Chadburn, MD, Wayne Tam, MD, PhD
The tumor virus landscape of AIDS-related lymphomas
Blood. 2015 May 14;125(20):e14-22.
Arvey A, Ojesina AI, Pedamallu CS, Ballon G, Jung J, Duke F, Leoncini L, De Falco G, Bressman E, Tam W, Chadburn A, Meyerson M, Cesarman E.
PMID: 25827832; PMCID: PMC4432014
Read MoreFlow sorting and exome sequencing reveal the oncogenome of primary Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg cells
Ethel Cesarman, MD, PhD, Amy Chadburn, MD
Flow sorting and exome sequencing reveal the oncogenome of primary Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg cells
Blood. 2015 Feb 12;125(7):1061-72.
Reichel J, Chadburn A, Rubinstein PG, Giulino-Roth L, Tam W, Liu Y, Gaiolla R, Eng K, Brody J, Inghirami G, Carlo-Stella C, Santoro A, Rahal D, Totonchy J, Elemento O, Cesarman E, Roshal M.
PMID: 25488972
Read MoreSystemic expression of Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV) Vflip in endothelial cells leads to a profound proinflammatory phenotype and myeloid lineage remodeling in vivo
Ethel Cesarman, MD, PhD
Systemic expression of Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV) Vflip in endothelial cells leads to a profound proinflammatory phenotype and myeloid lineage remodeling in vivo
PLoS Pathog. 2015 Jan 21;11(1):e1004581.
Ballon G, Akar G, Cesarman E.
PMID: 25607954; PMCID: PMC4301867
Read MoreLMP1-deficient Epstein-Barr virus mutant requires T cells for lymphomagenesis
Ethel Cesarman, MD, PhD
LMP1-deficient Epstein-Barr virus mutant requires T cells for lymphomagenesis
J Clin Invest. 2015 Jan;125(1):304-15.
Ma SD, Xu X, Plowshay J, Ranheim EA, Burlingham WJ, Jensen JL, Asimakopoulos F, Tang W, Gulley ML, Cesarman E, Gumperz JE, Kenney SC.
PMID: 25485679; PMCID: PMC4382240
Read MoreKSHV viral cyclin interferes with T-cell development and induces lymphoma through Cdk6 and Notch activation in vivo
Ethel Cesarman, MD, PhD
KSHV viral cyclin interferes with T-cell development and induces lymphoma through Cdk6 and Notch activation in vivo
Cell Cycle. 2014;13(23):3670-84.
Pekkonen P, Järviluoma A, Zinovkina N, Cvrljevic A, Prakash S, Westermarck J, Evan GI, Cesarman E, Verschuren EW, Ojala PM.
PMID: 25483078
Read MoreFOXO1 repression contributes to block of plasma cell differentiation in classical Hodgkin lymphoma.
Ethel Cesarman, MD, PhD
FOXO1 repression contributes to block of plasma cell differentiation in classical Hodgkin lymphoma.
Blood. 2014 Nov 13;124(20):3118-29.
Vogel MJ, Xie L, Guan H, Tooze RM, Maier T, Kostezka U, Maier HJ, Holzmann K, Chan FC, Steidl C, Reichel JB, Weitzer CD, Gehringer F, Kick AB, Cesarman E, Roshal M, Gascoyne RD, Möller P, Wirth T, Ushmorov A.
PMID: 25232062.
Read MoreDetection of Kaposi's sarcoma associated herpesvirus nucleic acids using a smartphone accessory.
Ethel Cesarman, MD, PhD
Detection of Kaposi's sarcoma associated herpesvirus nucleic acids using a smartphone accessory.
Lab Chip. 2014 Oct 7;14(19):3809-16.
Mancuso M, Cesarman E, Erickson D.
PMID: 25117534.
Read MoreHow do viruses trick B cells into becoming lymphomas?
Ethel Cesarman, MD, PhD
How do viruses trick B cells into becoming lymphomas?
Curr Opin Hematol. 2014 Jul;21(4):358-68.
Cesarman E.
PMID: 24886824; PMCID: PMC4126608
Read MoreSolar thermal polymerase chain reaction for smartphone-assisted molecular diagnostics.
Ethel Cesarman, MD, PhD
Solar thermal polymerase chain reaction for smartphone-assisted molecular diagnostics.
Sci Rep. 2014 Feb 20;4:4137.
Jiang L, Mancuso M, Lu Z, Akar G, Cesarman E, Erickson D.
PMID: 24553130; PMCID: PMC3929917.
Read MoreGammaherpesviruses and lymphoproliferative disorders.
Ethel Cesarman, MD, PhD
Gammaherpesviruses and lymphoproliferative disorders.
Annu Rev Pathol. 2014;9:349-72.
Cesarman E.
PMID: 24111911.
Read MoreTargeting the Hsp90-associated viral oncoproteome in gammaherpesvirus-associated malignancies.
Ethel Cesarman, MD, PhD
Targeting the Hsp90-associated viral oncoproteome in gammaherpesvirus-associated malignancies.
Blood. 2013 Oct 17;122(16):2837-47.
Nayar U, Lu P, Goldstein RL, Vider J, Ballon G, Rodina A, Taldone T, Erdjument-Bromage H, Chomet M, Blasberg R, Melnick A, Cerchietti L, Chiosis G, Wang YL, Cesarman E.
PMID: 23943653; PMCID: PMC3798998.
Read MoreTargeting the Hsp90-associated viral oncoproteome in gammaherpesvirus-associated malignancies.
Ethel Cesarman, MD, PhD
Targeting the Hsp90-associated viral oncoproteome in gammaherpesvirus-associated malignancies.
Blood. 2013 Oct 17;122(16):2837-47.
Nayar U, Lu P, Goldstein RL, Vider J, Ballon G, Rodina A, Taldone T, Erdjument-Bromage H, Chomet M, Blasberg R, Melnick A, Cerchietti L, Chiosis G, Wang YL, Cesarman E.
PMID: 23943653; PMCID: PMC3798998.
Read MorePathology of lymphoma in HIV.
Ethel Cesarman, MD, PhD
Pathology of lymphoma in HIV.
Curr Opin Oncol. 2013 Sep;25(5):487-94.
Cesarman E.
PMID: 23942293
Read MoreInherited human OX40 deficiency underlying classic Kaposi sarcoma of childhood.
Ethel Cesarman, MD, PhD
Inherited human OX40 deficiency underlying classic Kaposi sarcoma of childhood.
J Exp Med. 2013 Aug 26;210(9):1743-59.
Byun M, Ma CS, Akçay A, Pedergnana V, Palendira U, Myoung J, Avery DT, Liu Y, Abhyankar A, Lorenzo L, Schmidt M, Lim HK, Cassar O, Migaud M, Rozenberg F, Canpolat N, Aydogan G, Fleckenstein B, Bustamante J, Picard C, Gessain A, Jouanguy E, Cesarman E, Olivier M, Gros P, Abel L, Croft M, Tangye SG, Casanova JL.
PMID: 23897980
Read MoreMultiplexed colorimetric detection of Kaposi's sarcoma associated herpesvirus and Bartonella DNA using gold and silver nanoparticles.
Ethel Cesarman, MD, PhD
Multiplexed colorimetric detection of Kaposi's sarcoma associated herpesvirus and Bartonella DNA using gold and silver nanoparticles.
Nanoscale. 2013 Feb 21;5(4):1678-86.
Mancuso M, Jiang L, Cesarman E, Erickson D.
PMID: 23340972
Read MoreTargeted genomic sequencing of pediatric Burkitt lymphoma identifies recurrent alterations in antiapoptotic and chromatin-remodeling genes.
Wayne Tam, MD, PhD, Ethel Cesarman, MD, PhD
Targeted genomic sequencing of pediatric Burkitt lymphoma identifies recurrent alterations in antiapoptotic and chromatin-remodeling genes.
Blood. 2012 Dec 20;120(26):5181-4.
Giulino-Roth L, Wang K, MacDonald TY, Mathew S, Tam Y, Cronin MT, Palmer G, Lucena-Silva N, Pedrosa F, Pedrosa M, Teruya-Feldstein J, Bhagat G, Alobeid B, Leoncini L, Bellan C, Rogena E, Pinkney KA, Rubin MA, Ribeiro RC, Yelensky R, Tam W, Stephens PJ, Cesarman E.
PMID: 23091298
Read MoreA20 (TNFAIP3) genetic alterations in EBV-associated AIDS-related lymphoma.
A20 (TNFAIP3) genetic alterations in EBV-associated AIDS-related lymphoma.
Blood. 2011 May 5;117(18):4852-4.
Giulino L, Mathew S, Ballon G, Chadburn A, Barouk S, Antonicelli G, Leoncini L, Liu YF, Gogineni S, Tam W, Cesarman E.
PMID: 21406721
Read MorePilot study of oral valganciclovir therapy in patients with classic Kaposi sarcoma.
Ethel Cesarman, MD, PhD
Pilot study of oral valganciclovir therapy in patients with classic Kaposi sarcoma.
J Infect Dis. 2011 Apr 15;203(8):1082-6.
Krown SE, Dittmer DP, Cesarman E.
PMID: 21450998
Read MoreKaposi sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV) vFLIP oncoprotein induces B cell transdifferentiation and tumorigenesis in mice.
Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV) vFLIP oncoprotein induces B cell transdifferentiation and tumorigenesis in mice.
J Clin Invest. 2011 Mar;121(3):1141-53.
Ballon G, Chen K, Perez R, Tam W, Cesarman E.
PMID: 21339646; PMCID: PMC3049379
Read MoreKaposi's sarcoma and its associated herpesvirus
Ethel Cesarman, MD, PhD
Kaposi's sarcoma and its associated herpesvirus
Nat Rev Cancer. 2010 Oct;10(10):707-19.
Mesri EA, Cesarman E, Boshoff C.
PMID: 20865011
Read MoreImmunophenotypic analysis of AIDS-related diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and clinical implications in patients from AIDS Malignancies Consortium clinical trials 010 and 034.
Ethel Cesarman, MD, PhD
Immunophenotypic analysis of AIDS-related diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and clinical implications in patients from AIDS Malignancies Consortium clinical trials 010 and 034.
J Clin Oncol. 2009 Oct 20;27(30):5039-48.
Chadburn A, Chiu A, Lee JY, Chen X, Hyjek E, Banham AH, Noy A, Kaplan LD, Sparano JA, Bhatia K, Cesarman E.
PMID: 19752343; PMCID: PMC2799056
Read MoreKSHV LANA inhibits TGF-beta signaling through epigenetic silencing of the TGF-beta type II receptor
Ethel Cesarman, MD, PhD
KSHV LANA inhibits TGF-beta signaling through epigenetic silencing of the TGF-beta type II receptor
Blood. 2008 May 1;111(9):4731-40.
Di Bartolo DL, Cannon M, Liu YF, Renne R, Chadburn A, Boshoff C, Cesarman E.
PMID: 18199825; PMCID: PMC2343603
Read MoreEBV LMP2A mediated LMP1 signaling and survival of lymphoma cells through TRAF2 regulation
Ethel Cesarman, MD, PhD
EBV LMP2A mediated LMP1 signaling and survival of lymphoma cells through TRAF2 regulation
Blood. 111:3813-3820, 2008.
Guasparri I, Bubman D, Cesarman E
PMID: 18230756
Read MoreKSHV vFLIP is essential for the survival of infected lymphoma cells
Ethel Cesarman, MD, PhD
KSHV vFLIP is essential for the survival of infected lymphoma cells
J. Exp. Med. 199:993-1003, 2004.
Guasparri I, Keller SA, Cesarman E
PMID: 15067035
Read MoreKSHV vFLIP is essential for the survival of infected lymphoma cells
Ethel Cesarman, MD, PhD
KSHV vFLIP is essential for the survival of infected lymphoma cells
J. Exp. Med. 199:993-1003, 2004.
Guasparri I, Keller SA, Cesarman E
PMID: 15067035
Read MoreKaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus--the high cost of viral survival
Ethel Cesarman, MD, PhD
Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus--the high cost of viral survival
N Engl J Med. 349:1107-1109,2003.
Cesarman E.
PMID: 13679522
Read MoreTransformation of primary human endothelial cells by Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus.
Ethel Cesarman, MD, PhD
Transformation of primary human endothelial cells by Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus.
Nature. 1998 Aug 6;394(6693):588-92.
Flore O, Rafii S, Ely S, O'Leary JJ, Hyjek EM, Cesarman E.
PMID: 9707121
Read MoreHuman herpesvirus KSHV encodes a constitutively active G-protein-coupled receptor linked to cell proliferation
Ethel Cesarman, MD, PhD
Human herpesvirus KSHV encodes a constitutively active G-protein-coupled receptor linked to cell proliferation
Nature. 1997 Jan 23;385(6614):347-50.
Arvanitakis L, Geras-Raaka E, Varma A, Gershengorn MC, Cesarman E.
PMID: 9002520.
Read MoreKaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus-like DNA sequences in AIDS-related body-cavity-based lymphomas
Ethel Cesarman, MD, PhD
Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus-like DNA sequences in AIDS-related body-cavity-based lymphomas
N Engl J Med. 1995 May 4;332(18):1186-91.
Cesarman E, Chang Y, Moore PS, Said JW, Knowles DM.
PMID: 7700311
Read MoreIdentification of herpesvirus-like DNA sequences in AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma
Ethel Cesarman, MD, PhD
Identification of herpesvirus-like DNA sequences in AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma
Science. 1994 Dec 16;266(5192):1865-9.
Chang Y, Cesarman E, Pessin MS, Lee F, Culpepper J, Knowles DM, Moore PS.
PMID: 7997879
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