Human Oncology & Pathogenesis Program
The Piro Lito Lab
Research

Assistant Professor
Our group studies the properties of oncoproteins that drive cancer cell growth, focusing on lung cancer and other solid tumors. We are interested in understanding how these are activated, their regulatory mechanisms, and how they modulate the behavior of cancer cells. To answer these questions we utilize small molecule inhibitors coupled with biochemical and genetic approaches in patient-derived cell line or xenograft model systems. We aim to provide insight into the fundamental processes that govern tumor biology and to identify therapeutic interventions that will prolong survival and improve the quality of life in patients with cancer.
Research Projects

Featured News
Publications
Xue JY, Zhao Y, Aronowitz J, Mai TT, Vides A, Qeriqi B, Kim D, Li C, de Stanchina E, Mazutis L, Risso D, Lito P. Rapid non-uniform adaptation to conformation-specific KRAS(G12C) inhibition. Nature. 2020;577(7790):421-5. doi: 10.1038/s41586-019-1884-x. PMID: 31915379
Hong DS*, Fakih MG, Strickler JH, Desai J, Durm JA,Shapiro GI, Falchook GS, Price TJ, Denlinger CS, Bang YJ, Dy GK, Krauss JC, Kuboki Y, Kuo JC, Coveler AL, Park K, Kim TW, Barlesi F, Munster PN, Burns TF, Meric-Bernstam F, Henary H, Ngang J, Ngarmchamnanrith G, Kim J, Houk BE, Canon J, Lipford JR, Lito P*, Govindan R*, Li BT*. KRAS G12C inhibition in advanced solid tumors. New England Journal of Medicine, 2020. Sep 24;383(13):1207-1217. PMID: 32955176* Equal contribution/co-senior authors
Xue Y, Martelotto L, Baslan T, Vides A, Solomon M, Mai TT, Chaudhary N, Riely GJ, Li BT, Scott K, Cechhi F, Stierner U, Chadalavada K, de Stanchina E, Schwartz S, Hembrough T, Nanjangud G, Berger MF, Nilsson J, Lowe SW, Reis-Filho JS, Rosen N, Lito P. An approach to suppress the evolution of resistance in BRAF(V600E)-mutant cancer. Nature Medicine. 2017;23(8):929-37. doi: 10.1038/nm.4369. PMID: 28714990
People

Piro Lito, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor
- Physician-scientist Piro Lito studies oncoproteins that drive cancer cell growth.
- MD,PhD, Michigan State University
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- Physician profile
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Research Fellow

Research Scholar

Research Technician

Research Technician

Tri-I MD/PhD student

Research Fellow
Lab Affilations
Achievements
- Pew-Stewart Scholar for Cancer Research (2019)
- Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator (2017)
- The V Foundation for Cancer Research, Translational Research Award (2015)
- LUNGevity Foundation, Career Development Award (2015)
- NIH K08, Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award (2015)
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- Stand up to Cancer Lung Cancer Dream Team, Young Investigator (2015)
- Conquer Cancer Foundation, Young Investigator Award (2013)
- Charles A. Dana Fellow/Clinical Scholar in Biomedical Research (2011)
Lab News & Events
Open Positions
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