Othon Iliopoulos, MD

Massachusetts General Hospital

Academic Titles

Associate Professor, Medicine, Harvard Medical School

Research Program Affiliation

Member, Kidney Cancer

Member, Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics

Research Abstract

My laboratory is interested in the biology of tumor suppressor genes with particular emphasis on the von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor protein. This protein is a substrate receptor for the SCFVHL E3 ligase and induces tumor suppression, at least in part, by regulating the expression of hypoxia-inducible genes. A bona fide target of this complex is hypoxia-inducible factor HIF. We are currently exploring potential therapeutic implications of this known VHL-HIF interaction and, in addition, we are identifying novel substrates, which are ubiquitinated by the SCFVHL E3 ligase complex. At the clinical front we are creating a multidisciplinary VHL/Familial Renal Carcinoma clinic, staffed with professional genetic counselors and operating under the auspices of the MGH Cancer Genetics Program. We plan to co-ordinate patient care and approach the current questions regarding VHL disease monitoring, chemoprevention and timely intervention on a protocol-based manner. We also hope to enroll VHL patients in suitable treatment protocols.