My research centers on studies in molecular epidemiology.
Cancer is a multifactorial disease, caused by both genetic and environmental factors.
Currently, I am continuing this research by pursuing the relationship between colorectal polyps and polymorphisms in other enzymes in folate metabolism and DNA repair enzymes, as well as biomarkers of DNA damage. Folate is also of major importance in pharmacology, in particular with respect to antifolate chemotherapeutic drugs. Genetic variability in folate-metabolizing enzymes may affect treatment outcomes and side effects. Thus, an additional areaof interest to me is pharmacogenetics, with emphasis on antifolate agents. If these results are confirmed, genotyping patients for this common polymorphism may allow tailoring of MTX dose or use of alternative regimens based on a patient's genotype.