Stanislav Drapela, PhD

My research in Gomes Lab aims to untangle how aging and age-related epigenetic factors reprogram breast cancer cells during metastatic colonization of lungs. Specifically, I aim to understand molecular triggers that regulate entry to and exit from dormancy, a state in which cancer cells do not respond to conventional anti-cancer therapy. In addition, I focus on understanding of breast cancer metastasis in the context of older women. I aim to change paradigm of the therapy of metastatic breast cancer in elderly by defining how breast cancer interact and adapt to the old host tissue environment. My overarching goal is to unveil novel therapeutic targets that can be effectively used to treat late-stage metastatic breast cancer in older women and significantly impact their prognosis as well as quality of life and thus build a framework of precision oncology treatment that factors in the age and biology of the host.