Afshin Dowlati, MD
Dr. Afshin Dowlati is a medical oncologist at the University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center and a researcher at Case Comprehensive Cancer Center. As the Director of the Thoracic Oncology Program, he specializes in both the biological and clinical management of thoracic malignancies, with a particular interest in small cell lung cancer and malignant pleural mesothelioma.[2]
Dr. Dowlati says that he was drawn to University Hospitals and Case Western Reserve University because of the opportunity to work in cancer drug development. Over the years his work has been integral to the introduction of novel therapeutic treatments for patients with these challenging illnesses.
Education and Career
Dr. Dowlati earned his medical degree at the Universite De Liege Faculte De Medecine in Belgium, where he also completed his internship. He completed both a residency in Internal Medicine and a fellowship in Hematology/Oncology at the University Hospitals of Cleveland.[2]
Today, he holds the titles of Lucile and Robert H. Gries Endowed Director, Center for Cancer Drug Development at University Hospitals; Director, Thoracic Oncology Program, UH Seidman Cancer Center; Director Thoracic Oncology, UH Cleveland Medical Center; Director, Phase I Drug Development Program, UH Cleveland Medical Center; Associate Director for Clinical Research, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center; Member, Developmental Therapeutics Program, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center; and Professor, Department of Medicine Division of Hematology and Oncology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.
Research
Dr. Dowlati is a world-renowned researcher whose expertise and passion have led to the discovery of numerous breakthroughs in more effective treatment of thoracic malignancies, particularly in small cell lung cancer and mesothelioma. His primary focus is on the translational aspects of target validation and drug development, an interest that is facilitated by his access to both preclinical studies and patients interested in participating in clinical trials. His work to identify novel therapeutics for small cell lung cancer has resulted in the creation of a retrospective clinical-pathological database on all small cell lung cancer patients treated at University Hospitals over the last 15 years, and he has recently started a new research branch to define the molecular drivers of response to immune checkpoint blockade in small cell lung cancer.[1]
Dr. Dowlati is also investigating alternative pathways for STAT3 activation in cancer through the down-regulation of an endogenous inhibitor of activated STAT3. This phenomenon is notable in patients diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma, so his lab is focused on determining the mechanism of the down-regulation and how best to increase the expression of this endogenous inhibitor. This approach is unique, as rather than attempting to inhibit STAT3 directly, Dr. Dowlati is trying to activate a tumor suppressor.[1]
