More than four decades ago, Lynn Frohnmayer was a mother searching for answers after learning that three of her five children had Fanconi anemia. There was no roadmap and no established network of families or experts. Information was scarce, treatments were limited, and the future her family had been given was devastating.
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Sharon Cantor
Associate Professor | PhD
My laboratory focuses on understanding how tumor suppressor proteins function to maintain genomic integrity and suppress cancer. In particular, we focus on the hereditary breast and ovarian cancer genes, BRCA1, BRCA2 and the BRCA1-associated helicase, FANCJ (BACH1/ BRIP1). Bi-allelic loss of these genes also causes Fanconi anemia (FA), a rare chromosomal instability and cancer syndrome. Our work on FANCJ revealed that DNA repair defects underlie both hereditary breast cancer and FA. Currently, we are employing biochemical and whole-genome screening technologies, to uncover mechanisms regulating DNA repair choice and how cancer cells evade toxic chemotherapies.
FA Research Projects
| Year | Project |
|---|---|
| 2020 | A small molecule approach to overcome replication dysfunction in FA |
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What I hope for most is greater awareness, earlier diagnosis, access to treatment and support for families affected by FA in Malaysia. I hope no other mother has to go through what I went through, feeling confused, unprepared and alone while watching her children struggle with FA.
The Fanconi Cancer Foundation is pleased to recognize Dominika as the first-place recipient of the 2026 Winn/Byrd Award for Adults with FA. Dexter Sherrell received the second-place award for his work connecting people affected by rare diseases with researchers, health care professionals and advocates.