The genetic causes of cancer result in dysregulation of a wide variety of cellular pathways. Owen Witte, MD, and his collaborators were among the first to characterize oncogenic kinase activation in leukemia with the discoveries of the BCR-ABL fusion and BTK genes, leading to the development of several early targeted therapies. “The idea that you could be so selective to hit the single causative agent or genetic change in a cancer really opened a whole new world,” he said. Witte's discoveries have been recognized by this year's AACR Award for Outstanding Achievement in Blood Cancer Research. As a University Professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, and the founding Director Emeritus of the Eli & Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cell Research, Witte's current work focuses on the identification of targets and development of immunotherapies for solid epithelial cancers. He spoke with Blood Cancer Discovery's...

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