Khashayarsha Khazaie, PhD
Mayo Clinic (USA)
Khashayarsha Khazaie Ph.D., D.Sc. is a Professor of Immunology at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. He obtained his Ph.D. from the National Institute for Medical Research in London, UK, and D.Sc. (Habilitation à diriger des recherches), from the Faculty of Medicine Necker, University of Paris, France.
His early training was in the field of oncogenesis and cancer metastasis at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory and then the German Cancer Research Institute (DKFZ) in Heidelberg. He discovered that the erbB oncogene of the avian erythroblastosis virus was the oncogenic counterpart of the human epidermal growth factor receptor, He later demonstrated that the epidermal growth factor receptor has an active role in breast cancer metastasis.
His later studies at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, focused on tumor immunology and, in particular of the mechanisms of action of regulatory T-cell (Tregs)s. He demonstrated the antigen-specific action of Tregs in suppressing cancer immune surveillance. Continuing this work at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, he discovered the heterogeneity of Tregs and their dual role in suppressing or promoting cancer-associated inflammation. More current studies at the Mayo Clinic focused on bacterial and sterile inflammation in gastrointestinal malignancies.
His interest in endometriosis stems from similarities between the immune pathology of this disease and cancer, which includes cellular dissemination, invasion, inflammation, and fibrosis. He collaborates closely with members of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, in particular Dr. Zaraq Khan and former member Dr. Gaurang Daftary, to develop and investigate mouse models of experimental endometriosis, and to relate the findings to human endometriosis. His experience in immunology and animal modeling are strengths for endometriosis research.