Dan Theodorescu, MD, PhD
Clinical Professor, Surgery-Urology
Medical School:
Department: Surgery-Urology
- MD, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada (1986)
- PhD, University of Toronto (1993)
- University of Toronto (1987)
- University of Toronto, Urology (1994)
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Program, Urology (1995)
Department: Surgery-Urology
Professional Titles
- Distinguished Professor Surgery-Urology
- Director, University of Colorado Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Co-Editor in Chief, Bladder Cancer
- Distinguished Professor - Pharmacology
Recognition & Awards
- Barringer Medal for Outstanding Contributions, American Association of Genitourinary Surgeons (AAGUS) (2015)
- Elected, National Academy of Medicine (NAM) (2014)
- Elected, Elected to American Surgical Association (ASA) (2012)
-
Inventor of the Year, University of Colorado
(2011)
-
Professor Emeritus, Department of Urology, University of Virginia
(2010)
- Elected, American Association of Genitourinary Surgeons (AAGUS) (2008)
- Elected, American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI) (2006)
-
Resident Teaching Award, Department of Urology, University of Virginia
(1999)
-
Edwin Beer Award , New York Academy of Medicine
(1998)
-
Young Investigator Award , Society for Basic Urologic Research
(1998)
-
Kimmel Foundation Scholar, Kimmel Foundation
(1997)
Research Interests
Working on a disease that has seen few advances in the last 30 years, Theodorescu has emerged as a leading translational bladder cancer researcher. Theodorescu is known for his work on the molecular mechanisms underlying bladder cancer and tools that determine drug response as well as discovery of new drugs for several cancer types. Examples include discovery of genes that regulate tumor growth and metastasis (RhoGDI2, CD24, AGL, GON4L) in bladder and other cancers and novel biomarkers (DNA/NGS, RNA and proteomic) and concepts for precision therapeutic approaches such as the COXEN principle, that are currently being tested in national (SWOG) clinical trials. He led the discovery and development of a “first in class” RalGTPase inhibitor as a new therapeutic in several human cancer types which is now in commercial development. Recent efforts in our lab have focused on understanding the biology of Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and using that knowledge to develop novel inhibitors to this critical protein in cancer. Finally, active efforts are currently aimed at identifying immune system agonists or antagonists that modulate tumor behavior in vivo as well as the identification of novel combination therapies that enhance the effectiveness of checkpoint and other immunotherapy.
Publications
- Dancik GM, Owens CR, Iczkowski KA, Theodorescu D. A cell of origin gene signature indicates human bladder cancer has distinct cellular progenitors. Stem Cells. 2013 Dec 19. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 24357085
Professional Memberships
- American College of Surgeons (ACS), Member
- Society for Urologic Oncology (SUO), Member
- American Urological Association (AUA), Member
- American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO), Member
- American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), Member
- Society for Basic Urologic Research (SBUR), Member
- National Academy of Medicine (NAM), Elected Member
- American Surgical Association (ASA), Elected Member
- American Association of Genitourinary Surgeons (AAGUS), Elected Member
- American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI), Elected Member
Practice Locations
Hospital Affiliation
- University of Colorado Hospital
Specialty Information
Specialties
- Urology, Board Certification (1999, 2007)
Clinical Interests
I have suspended my clinical practice in order to focus on research and administration of the cancer center
I have suspended my clinical practice in order to focus on research and administration of the cancer center
General Information
Medical Schools:
- MD, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada (1986)
Graduate Schools:
- PhD, University of Toronto (1993)
Internships:
- University of Toronto (1987)
Residency Programs:
- University of Toronto, Urology (1994)
Fellowships:
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Program, Urology (1995)
Department: Surgery-Urology