Researcher Spotlight: Lydie Debaize, PhD

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Most patients treated for mantle cell lymphoma (MCL)
achieve complete remission. Nevertheless, a significant
number of patients will eventually relapse due to the
regrowing of rare cancer cells remaining in the body
after treatment, which is known as minimal residual
disease (MRD). For her LRF research project, Dr. Debaize aims to establish new approaches that will define MRD-specific vulnerabilities and test new drug combinations to overcome resistance, kill MRD and cure
this highly deadly disease. “With our collaborators at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), we will detect and characterize those cells with new innovative approaches,” explains Dr. Debaize. “We believe that
the key to eradicating MRD is to understand its unique vulnerabilities.”

After receiving her PhD from the University of Rennes in Rennes, France, Dr. Debaize joined the lab of David Weinstock, MD at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School in Boston as a Research Fellow. She
devotes her efforts to the specific targeting of MRD in mantle cell lymphomas. “This project is in line with my long-term goal, which is to pursue an academic career in translational research with a focus on the identification of biomarkers and therapeutic targets in B-cell lymphomas,” says Dr. Debaize.

Dr. Debaize’s interest in lymphoma research and pursuit of
a scientific career stemmed from her personal experience witnessing her brother’s journey with blood cancer. “I am now dedicated to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for hematologic malignancies with the hope to translate them into better outcomes for patients who are not cured with current therapies.”