Varsha Gandhi, Ph.D.
Department of Experimental Therapeutics, Division of Cancer Medicine
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Co-Director, Therapeutics and Pharmacology Program, Division of Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Rebecca Meyer Brown & Joseph Mellinger Brown Chair in Basic Science Research, Department of Experimental Therapeutics, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Department Chair ad interim, Department of Experimental Therapeutics, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Director ad interim, Center for Targeted Therapy, Department of Experimental Therapeutics, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Professor, Department of Experimental Therapeutics, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Faculty, The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Professor, Department of Leukemia, Division of Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Research Interests
1. Development of single agent and combination therapies for leukemias
2. Met receptor tyrosine kinase in myeloma
3. Transcription inhibitors
4. DNA- and RNA-directed nucleoside analogs, their mechanisms of action and development of resistance
5. Apoptosis modulators as therapeutics (BH3-mimetics, smac-mimetics)
6. Role of microenvironment in hematological malignancies
7. Pim kinase expression and targeting by small molecule inhibitors
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 1981 | Delhi University, Delhi, IND, Ph.D, Biochemistry |
| 1973 | Kanpur University, Kanpur, IND, M.Sc, Botany |
| 1971 | Kanpur University, Kanpur, IND, B.Sc, Biology, Chemistry, Physics |
Experience & Service
Other Appointments/Responsibilities
Committee Member, The University of Texas Kenneth I. Shine, M.D., Academy of Health Science Education, Membership Committee, Houston, TX, 2014 - Present
Committee Member, The University of Texas Kenneth I. Shine, M.D., Academy of Health Science Education, Faculty Development Committee, Houston, TX, 2014 - Present
Co-organizer, Translational Cancer Research Conferences in India, Houston, TX, 2003 - Present
Institutional Committee Activities
Co-leader, CLL Moon Shot Flagship Project 1: Drug Development, 2016 - Present
Vice President, Therapeutics Discovery, Search Committee, 2016 - Present
Member, Division of Cancer Medicine Promotion and Tenure Advisory Committee, 2015 - Present
Co-leader, MD Anderson Clinical Innovator Award, 2014 - Present
Member, MD Anderson Vice Provost for Sciences Committee, 2013 - Present
Member, MD Anderson Institution Research Executive Committee, 2013 - Present
Member, Division of Cancer Medicine Executive Committee, 2013 - Present
Member, Division of Cancer Medicine Women Faculty & Fellows Initiatives Advisory Council, 2012 - Present
Experimental Therapeutics Academic Program, Executive Committee Chair, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 2010 - Present
Program Coordinating Committee Member, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 2009 - Present
Experimental Therapeutics Academic Program, Director, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 2009 - Present
Committee Member, Faculty Mentoring Advisory Committee, 2007 - Present
Organizing Committee Member, Division of Cancer Medicine Grand Rounds, 2005 - Present
Endowed Positions
Rebecca Meyer Brown & Joseph Mellinger Brown Chair in Basic Science Research, Department of Experimental Therapeutics, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2015 - Present
Ruby E. Rutherford Distinguished Professorship, Department of Experimental Therapeutics, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, 2011 - 2015
Ashbel Smith Professorship, Department of Experimental Therapeutics, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, 2006 - 2011
Honors & Awards
| 2015 | The William Randolph Hearst Foundations Faculty Achievement Award in Education, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2014 | Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science |
| 2013 | Outstanding Women Scientist Award, American Association of Indian Scientists in Cancer Research |
| 2013 | Exceptional Leadership & Support as a Mentor, MD Anderson Alumni & Faculty Association |
| 2013 | Member, The University of Texas Kenneth I. Shine, M.D., Academy of Health Science Education |
| 2012 | Executive Development Seminar for Interim and Aspiring Leaders, Association of American Medical Colleges |
| 2012 | The University of Texas System Regents' Outstanding Teaching Award - Health, The University of Texas System |
| 2012 | Outstanding Service and Dedication as Program Director, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences |
| 2011 | Ruby E. Rutherford Distinguished Professorship, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2011 | Distinguished Research Faculty Mentor Award, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2009 | Gerald P. Bodey Award for Excellence in Education, Division of Cancer Medicine Faculty Recognition & Award Program |
| 2009 | Faculty Leadership Academy, MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2007 | Potu N. Rao Award for Excellence in Basic Science, Division of Cancer Medicine Faculty Recognition & Award Program |
| 2006 | Ashbel Smith Professorship, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2005 | Robert M. Chamberlain Distinguished Mentor Award, Postdoctoral Association Steering Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2003 | Aventis Drug Development Award, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2000 | NIH-RAID-II Award, NIH/NCI |
| 1999 | E.N. Cobb Faculty Scholar Award, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 1998 | NIH-RAID-I Award, NIH/NCI |
| 1976 | Senior Research Scholarship, University Grants Commission, University of Delhi, India |
| 1974 | Junior Research Scholarship, University Grants Commission, University of Delhi, India |
| 1973 | M.Sc. Gold Medal Winner, Kanpur University, India |
Professional Memberships
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Modi P, Balakrishnan K, Yang Q, Wierda WG, Keating MJ, Gandhi V. Idelalisib and bendamustine combination is synergistic and increases DNA damage response in chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells. Oncotarget 8 (10) :16259-16274, 2017. PMID: 28187444.
- Baljevic M, Zaman S, Baladandayuthapani V, Lin YH, de Partovi CM, Berkova Z, Amini B, Thomas SK, Shah JJ, Weber DM, Fu M, Cleeland CS, Wang XS, Stellrecht CM, Davis RE, Gandhi V, Orlowski RZ. Phase II study of the c-MET inhibitor tivantinib (ARQ 197) in patients with relapsed or relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. Ann Hematol [*Last authorship shared] (6) :977-985, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28337527.
- Jain N, Balakrishnan K, Ferrajoli A, O'Brien SM, Burger JA, Kadia TM, Cortes JE, Ayres ML, Tambaro FP, Keating MJ, Gandhi V, Wierda WG. A Phase I-II Trial of Fludarabine, Bendamustine, and Rituximab (FBR) in Previously Treated Patients with CLL. Oncotarget [*Last authorship shared] (13) :22104-22112, 2017. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27655665.
- Yang Q, Chen LS, Ha MJ, Do KA, Neelapu SS, Gandhi V. Idelalisib impacts cell growth through inhibiting translation regulatory mechanisms in mantle cell lymphoma. Clin Cancer Res 23 (1) :181-192, 2017. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27342398.
- Wang Y, Fan H, Balakrishnan K, Lin Z, Cao S, Chen W, Fan Y, Guthrie QA, Sun H, Teske KA, Gandhi V, Arnold LA, Peng X. Hydrogen peroxide activated quinone methide precursors with enhanced DNA cross-linking capability and cytotoxicity towards cancer cells. Eur J Med Chem 133:197-207, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28388522.
- Patel V, Keating MJ, Wierda WG, Gandhi V. Preclinical combination of TP-0903, an AXL inhibitor and B-PAC-1, a procaspase activating compound with ibrutinib in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Leuk Lymphoma 57 (6) :1-4, 2016. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 26440741.
- Phillip CJ, Zaman S, Shentu S, Balakrishnan K, Zhang J, Baladandayuthapani V, Taverna P, Redkar S, Wang M, Stellrecht CM, Gandhi V. Erratum to: Targeting MET kinase with the small-molecule inhibitor amuvatinib induces cytotoxicity in primary myeloma cells and cell lines. J Hematol Oncol 9 (1) :110, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27737688.
- Sarkar A, Balakrishnan K, Chen J, Patel V, Neelapu SS, McMurray JS, Gandhi V. Molecular evidence of Zn chelation of the procaspase activating compound B-PAC-1 in B cell lymphoma. Oncotarget 7 (3) :3461-76, 2016. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 26658105.
- Chen LS, Yang JY, Liang H, Cortes JE, Gandhi V. Protein profiling identifies mTOR pathway modulation and cytostatic effects of Pim kinase inhibitor, AZD1208, in acute myeloid leukemia. Leuk Lymphoma 57 (12) :1-11, 2016. PMID: 27054578.
- Mendes VI, Bartholomeusz GA, Ayres M, Gandhi V, Salvador JA. Corrigendum to "Synthesis and cytotoxic activity of novel A-ring cleaved ursolic acid derivatives in human non-small cell lung cancer cells" [Eur. J. Med. Chem. 123 (2016) 317-331]. Eur J Med Chem 124:1004-1005, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27783971.
- Mendes VI, Bartholomeusz GA, Ayres M, Gandhi V, Salvador JA. Synthesis and cytotoxic activity of novel A-ring cleaved ursolic acid derivatives in human non-small cell lung cancer cells. Eur J Med Chem 123:317-31, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27484517.
- Lamothe B, Wierda WG, Keating MJ, Gandhi V. Carfilzomib triggers cell death in chronic lymphocytic leukemia by inducing proapoptotic and endoplasmic reticulum stress responses. Clin Cancer Res 22 (18) :4712-26, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27026200.
- Balakrishnan K, Fu M, Onida F, Wierda WG, Keating MJ, Gandhi V. Reactivation of smac-mediated apoptosis in chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells: mechanistic studies of smac mimetic. Oncotarget 7 (26) :39458-39472, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27223062.
- Cervantes-Gomez F, Kumar Patel V, Bose P, Keating MJ, Gandhi V. Decrease in total protein level of Bruton's tyrosine kinase during ibrutinib therapy in chronic lymphocytic leukemia lymphocytes. Leukemia 30 (8) :1803-4, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27198052.
- Wang J, Yin H, Panandikar A, Gandhi V, Sen S. Elevated cyclin A associated kinase activity promotes sensitivity of metastatic human cancer cells to DNA antimetabolite drug. Int J Oncol 47 (2) :782-90, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 26058363.
- Zaman S, Shentu S, Yang J, He J, Orlowski RZ, Stellrecht CM, Gandhi V. Targeting the pro-survival protein MET with tivantinib (ARQ 197) inhibits growth of multiple myeloma cells. Neoplasia 17 (3) :289-300, 2015. PMID: 25810013.
- Cervantes-Gomez F, Lamothe B, Woyach JA, Wierda WG, Keating MJ, Balakrishnan K, Gandhi V. Pharmacological and protein profiling suggest ABT-199 as optimal partner with ibrutinib in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Clin Cancer Res 21 (16) :3705-15, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 25829398.
- Lamothe B, Cervantes-Gomez F, Sivina M, Wierda WG, Keating MJ, Gandhi V. Proteasome inhibitor carfilzomib complements ibrutinib's action in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Blood 125 (2) :407-10, 2015. PMID: 25573971.
- Patel V, Balakrishnan K, Keating MJ, Wierda WG, Gandhi V. Expression of executioner procaspases and their activation by a procaspase-activating compound in chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells. Blood 125 (7) :1126-36, 2015. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 25538042.
- Balakrishnan K, Peluso M, Fu M, Rosin NY, Burger JA, Wierda WG, Keating MJ, Faia K, O'Brien S, Kutok JL, Gandhi V. The Phosphoinositide-3-Kinase (PI3K)-Delta and Gamma Inhibitor, IPI-145, Overcomes Signals from the PI3K/AKT/S6 Pathway and Promotes Apoptosis in CLL. Leukemia 29 (9) :1811-22, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 25917267.
- Kearney AY, Fan YH, Giri U, Saigal B, Gandhi V, Heymach JV, Zurita AJ. 8-Chloroadenosine Sensitivity in Renal Cell Carcinoma Is Associated with AMPK Activation and mTOR Pathway Inhibition. PLoS One 10 (8) :e0135962, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 26313261.
- Zaman S, Wang R, Gandhi V. Targeting executioner procaspase-3 with the procaspase-activating compound B-PAC-1 induces apoptosis in multiple myeloma cells. Exp Hematol 43 (11) :951-962.e3, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 26257207.
- Chen LS, Keating MJ, Gandhi V. Blood collection methods affect cellular protein integrity: implications for clinical trial biomarkers and ZAP-70 in CLL. Blood 124 (7) :1192-5, 2014. PMID: 25124785.
- El-Mabhouh AA, Ayres ML, Shpall EJ, Baladandayuthapani V, Keating MJ, Wierda WG, Gandhi V. Evaluation of bendamustine in combination with fludarabine in primary chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells. Blood 123 (24) :3780-9, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24747434.
- Faderl S, Balakrishnan K, Thomas DA, Ravandi F, Borthakur G, Burger J, Ferrajoli A, Cortes J, O'Brien S, Kadia T, Feliu J, Plunkett W, Gandhi V, Kantarjian HM. Phase I and extension study of clofarabine plus cyclophosphamide in patients with relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Clin Lymphoma Myeloma Leuk 14 (3) :231-8, 2014. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 24440659.
- Balakrishnan K, Burger JA, Fu M, Doifode T, Wierda WG, Gandhi V. Regulation of Mcl-1 expression in Context to Bone Marrow Stromal Microenvironment in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Neoplasia 16 (12) :1036-46, 2014. PMID: 25499217.
- Yang Q, Modi P, Ramanathan S, Quéva C, Gandhi V. Idelalisib for the treatment of B-cell malignancies. Expert Opinion on Orphan Drugs 2 (12) :1-15, 2014.
- Patel V, Chen LS, Wierda WG, Balakrishnan K, Gandhi V. Impact of bone marrow stromal cells on Bcl-2 family members in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Leuk Lymphoma 55 (4) :899-910, 2014. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23837491.
- Chen W, Balakrishnan K, Kuang Y, Han Y, Fu M, Gandhi V, Peng X. Reactive oxygen species (ROS)-inducible DNA cross-linking agents and their effect on cancer cells and normal lymphocytes. J Med Chem 57 (11) :4498-510, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24801734.
- Sandoval MR, Balakrishnan K, Luthra R, Keating M, Gandhi V. DNA repair initiation induces expression of ribonucleotide reductase in human chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells. Leuk Lymphoma 55 (4) :876-83, 2014. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23772636.
- Balakrishnan K, Ravandi F, Bantia S, Franklin A, Gandhi V. Preclinical and clinical evaluation of forodesine in pediatric and adult B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Clin Lymphoma Myeloma Leuk 13 (4) :458-66, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23773454.
- Phillip CJ, Zaman S, Shentu S, Balakrishnan K, Zhang J, Baladandayuthapani V, Taverna P, Redkar S, Wang M, Stellrecht CM, Gandhi V. Targeting MET kinase with the small-molecule inhibitor amuvatinib induces cytotoxicity in primary myeloma cells and cell lines. J Hematol Oncol 6:92, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 24326130.
- Cao X, Mitra AK, Pounds S, Crews KR, Gandhi V, Plunkett W, Dolan ME, Hartford C, Raimondi S, Campana D, Downing J, Rubnitz JE, Ribeiro RC, Lamba JK. RRM1 and RRM2 pharmacogenetics: association with phenotypes in HapMap cell lines and acute myeloid leukemia patients. Pharmacogenomics 14 (12) :1449-66, 2013. PMID: 24024897.
- Balakrishnan K, Aggarwal S, Wierda W, Gandhi V. Bax and Bak are required for apogossypolone, a BH3-mimetic induced apoptosis in chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells. Leuk Lymphoma 54 (5) :1097-100, 2013. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22866921.
- Byers LA, Diao L, Wang J, Saintigny P, Girard L, Peyton M, Shen L, Fan Y, Giri U, Tumula PK, Nilsson MB, Gudikote J, Tran H, Cardnell RJ, Bearss DJ, Warner SL, Foulks JM, Kanner SB, Gandhi V, Krett N, Rosen ST, Kim ES, Herbst RS, Blumenschein GR, Lee JJ, Lippman SM, Ang KK, Mills GB, Hong WK, Weinstein JN, Wistuba II, Coombes KR, Minna JD, Heymach JV. An epithelial-mesenchymal transition gene signature predicts resistance to EGFR and PI3K inhibitors and identifies Axl as a therapeutic target for overcoming EGFR inhibitor resistance. Clin Cancer Res 19 (1) :279-90, 2013. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 23091115.
- Cervantes-Gomez F, Lavergne B, Keating MJ, Wierda WG, Gandhi V. Combination of Pim kinase inhibitors and Bcl-2 antagonists in chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells. Leuk Lymphoma:1-9. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 26088877.
- Patel V, Balakrishnan K, Bibikova E, Ayres M, Keating MJ, Wierda W, Gandhi V. Comparison of acalabrutinib, a selective Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor, with ibrutinib in chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells. Clin Cancer Res. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 28034907.
- Bose P, Gandhi V, Konopleva M. Pathways and mechanisms of venetoclax resistance. Leuk Lymphoma:1-17. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28140720.
- Yang Q, Shah P, Korkut A, Fernandes SM, Hanna J, Brown JR, Gandhi V. Changes in Bcl-2 family protein profile during idelalisib therapy mimic those during duvelisib therapy in CLL lymphocytes. JCO Precision Oncology.
- Patel VM, Balakrishnan K, Douglas M, Tibbitts T, Xu EY, Kutok JL, Ayers M, Sarkar A, Guerrieri R, Wierda WG, O'Brien S, Jain N, Stern HM, Gandhi V. Duvelisib treatment is associated with altered expression of apoptotic regulators that helps in sensitization of chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells to venetoclax (ABT-199). Leukemia. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28017967.
- Mendes VI, Bartholomeusz GA, Ayres M, Gandhi V*, Salvador JA*. Synthesis and cytotoxic activity of novel A-ring cleaved ursolic acid derivatives in human non-small cell lung cancer cells. Eur J Med Chem 123:317-331. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27484517 [*Last authorship shared].
- Chen W, Fan H, Balakrishnan K, Wang Y, Sun H, Gandhi V, Arnold LA, Peng X. Discovery and Optimization of Novel Hydrogen Peroxide Activated Aromatic Nitrogen Mustard Derivatives as Highly Potent Anticancer Agents. Eur J Med Chem.
Grant & Contract Support
| Title: | Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Research Consortium, Project 2 - Biochemistry of Apoptosis |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Project Leader |
| Title: | Development of Ibrutinib for CLL - Flagship Project |
| Funding Source: | The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Moon Shots Program |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Novel Strategies for CLL Treatment |
| Funding Source: | CLL Global Research Foundation: U.S./European Alliance |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Investigations with ACP-196 in chronic lymphocytic leukemia |
| Funding Source: | Acerta Pharma LLC |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Novel RNA-Directed Therapy for the Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-Principal Investigator |
| Title: | A Phase II Study of Venetoclax and Ibrutinib in Patients with CLL |
| Funding Source: | AbbVie Inc |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Targeting the Monocyte/Macrophage Lineage as a Novel Therapeutic Strategy in CLL |
| Funding Source: | CLL Global Research Foundation |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Clinical Safety and Efficacy of Third Party, Fucosylated, Cord Blood Derived Regulatory T Cells to Prevent GVHD |
| Funding Source: | Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |