The Tsanov laboratory investigates metastatic disease – the major cause of cancer-related deaths. The overall goal of our research is to elucidate mechanisms that sustain metastatic tumors and to identify related vulnerabilities that can be therapeutically targeted. We focus on pancreatic and gastric adenocarcinomas, and integrate innovative mouse models, functional genetics tools and multiomic approaches to dissect the interplay of genetic, epigenetic and microenvironmental factors in metastatic tumors. Our vision is that understanding natural barriers to metastasis and tumor–microenvironment crosstalk at different metastatic sites will reveal a set of governing principles that can be leveraged for novel therapies that are specifically tailored to metastatic tumors.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
New York, NY
Postdoctoral Fellowship - Cancer Biology & Genetics
2024
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
PhD - Biological & Biomedical Sciences
2017
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
AB - Molecular & Cellular Biology
2009
SMAD4 induces opposite effects on metastatic growth from pancreatic tumors depending on the organ of residence.
SMAD4 induces opposite effects on metastatic growth from pancreatic tumors depending on the organ of residence. Nat Cancer. 2025 Nov; 6(11):1839-1856.
PMID: 40999053
Interferon-e loss is elusive 9p21 link to immune-cold tumors, resistant to immune-checkpoint therapy and endogenous CXCL9/10 induction.
Interferon-e loss is elusive 9p21 link to immune-cold tumors, resistant to immune-checkpoint therapy and endogenous CXCL9/10 induction. J Thorac Oncol. 2024 Dec 24.
PMID: 39725169
Cancer cells restrict immunogenicity of retrotransposon expression via distinct mechanisms.
Cancer cells restrict immunogenicity of retrotransposon expression via distinct mechanisms. Immunity. 2024 12 10; 57(12):2879-2894.e11.
PMID: 39577413
Metastatic site influences driver gene function in pancreatic cancer.
Metastatic site influences driver gene function in pancreatic cancer. bioRxiv. 2024 Mar 18.
PMID: 38562717
Somatic mouse models of gastric cancer reveal genotype-specific features of metastatic disease.
Somatic mouse models of gastric cancer reveal genotype-specific features of metastatic disease. Nat Cancer. 2024 02; 5(2):315-329.
PMID: 38177458
Cancer cells co-evolve with retrotransposons to mitigate viral mimicry.
Cancer cells co-evolve with retrotransposons to mitigate viral mimicry. bioRxiv. 2023 May 20.
PMID: 37292765
Hypoxia Potentiates the Inflammatory Fibroblast Phenotype Promoted by Pancreatic Cancer Cell-Derived Cytokines.
Hypoxia Potentiates the Inflammatory Fibroblast Phenotype Promoted by Pancreatic Cancer Cell-Derived Cytokines. Cancer Res. 2023 05 15; 83(10):1596-1610.
PMID: 36912618
MACHETE identifies interferon-encompassing chromosome 9p21.3 deletions as mediators of immune evasion and metastasis.
MACHETE identifies interferon-encompassing chromosome 9p21.3 deletions as mediators of immune evasion and metastasis. Nat Cancer. 2022 11; 3(11):1367-1385.
PMID: 36344707
Ordered and deterministic cancer genome evolution after p53 loss.
Ordered and deterministic cancer genome evolution after p53 loss. Nature. 2022 08; 608(7924):795-802.
PMID: 35978189
Base editing sensor libraries for high-throughput engineering and functional analysis of cancer-associated single nucleotide variants.
Base editing sensor libraries for high-throughput engineering and functional analysis of cancer-associated single nucleotide variants. Nat Biotechnol. 2022 06; 40(6):862-873.
PMID: 35165384
40 Under 40 in Cancer Award
2025
Forbeck Scholar Award
William Guy Forbeck Research Foundation
2024
MSK Postdoctoral Research Award
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
2024
NIH K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award
2022
Benjamin F. Trump Award for Scientific Research Excellence
Aspen Cancer Conference
2022
Shulamit Katzman Endowed Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
2021 - 2022
Jane Coffin Childs Postdoctoral Fellowship
2018 - 2021
Howard Hughes Medical Institute International Student Research Fellowship
2013 - 2015
Harvard University Certificate of Distinction in Teaching
Harvard University
2012
Herchel Smith Graduate Fellowship
Harvard University
2010 - 2012
Lawrence J. Henderson Prize
Harvard University
2009