Jessica Zucman-Rossi, a renewed commitment to cancer research!

Professor of Medicine and Hospital Practitioner (PU-PH) at Université Paris-Cité, within the Oncology Department of the Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Jessica Zucman-Rossi has been leading the CRC since 2019, bringing together over 500 outstanding researchers. Her contributions to cancer research date back to 1992, when she identified the first recurrent chromosomal translocation in human solid tumors (Ewing’s sarcoma) during her PhD. This work marked the beginning of a career punctuated by major discoveries in cancer genetics. She went on to characterize new translocations in sarcomas and identified a tumor suppressor gene involved in neurofibromatosis type 2. Since then, she has continued to explore new avenues with her research group specializing in the genomic alterations of liver tumors.

In the field of liver cancer, Jessica Zucman-Rossi has made groundbreaking contributions that have significantly advanced our understanding of tumor transformation mechanisms. Her team notably identified the early and crucial role of telomerase promoter (TERT) mutations in the development of hepatocellular carcinomas. Their research has redefined the molecular classification of liver tumors by establishing correlations between tumor gene expression profiles and clinical risk factors. The discovery of these new tumor entities offers promising prospects for the development of innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. The identification of predictive biomarkers, now integrated into clinical practice, enables the selection of targeted therapies based on the genetic profile of the tumor. These advances pave the way for tangible applications aimed at improving and optimizing patient care.