Graduated from the Medical school at the Hebrew University under the supervision of Prof. Amos Oppenheim specialized in molecular genetics and regulation of gene expression. I am an author of more than 40 publications, including refereed research papers, review papers, chapters in books and patents. After my graduation, I joined OSI pharmaceuticals (OSIP), NY, USA and become an integral part of the cancer program working with close collaboration with scientist from Pfizer, CT, USA.
Currently, I am the head of the department of cancer drug discovery program at Migal, Kiryat Shmona. My main interest is in overcoming cancer drug resistance, and in particular, in Ph+ leukemia. To overcome drug resistance caused by point mutations within BCR/ABL gene, specially the "gatekeeper" T315I mutation, we explored modulators of the Myristoyl Binding Pocket (MBP) {Khamaisie et al., 2011; Najajreh et al., 2013} and combinations approaches utilizing Abl kinase inhibitors (AKIs) with allosteric inhibitors {Khateb et al., 2012; Mian et al., 2012}. Morepver, we also addressing residual disease, cell-adhesion mediated drug resistance, and disease progression of Ph+ leukemia which is independent of BCR/ABL mutations. Specifically, we are exploring the interaction between the Ph+ leukemic cells to the bone marrow microenvironment and studying the role of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) activators in mediating homing and adhesion to the bone marrow, which is regulated by factors such as CD44, CD184, and N-cadherin that contribute to residual disease, stimulate drug resistance, and accelerate disease progression in most hematopoietic malignancies.
In addition, we also interested in anti-cancer activity of natural products including herbs, medicinal plants and mushrooms. Our goal of using natural products or herbs is not to replace current cancer therapeutics but rather to augment their activity as adjuvants or to reduce side effects. In addition, utilizing natural products we will be able to identify novel chemical entities (NCEs) with desired activity and upon modifications and optimizing they might serve as novel cancer chemotherapeutics.
I am a senior lecturer at the faculty of Science and biotechnology and currently I am the chairperson of the Nutritional sciences department at Tel-Hai College.
Ruimi, N., Dotan, N., Menachem, N., Bartuv-Tal, J. and Mahajna, J. (2010). Mushroom-derived substances for cancer prevention and treatment. In Bioactive foods and extracts in Cancer Treatment and Prevention. R.R Watson and V.R. Preedy ed, Tylor and Francis Group publishing, Boca Raton, Florida, USA Pages 223-236
Gochman, E., Reznick, AZ., and Mahajna, J. (2013). Involvement of Reactive Nitrogen Species and NF-kB in Colon Cancer. Lab Lambert Academic Publishing, Heinrich-Bocking-Str. 6-8, 66121 Saarbrucken, Deutschland, Germany. (English).
Hila Tobi-Schwartzman, Yehudit Bartov-Tal, Nesli Dotan, Prof. Wasser Solomon and Jamal Mahajna, "Mushrooms as a Source of Anti-Cancer Substances", published July 31, 2007 in "The Medical"