Renalase discoverer Gary Désir to lead upcoming Collaborative Cancer Ground Rounds

Gary Désir, MD, MS, will discuss “The Mechanisms by which Renalase Promotes Cell Survival, and its Utility in Cancer Treatment” in the upcoming Collaborative Cancer Grand Rounds, noon to 1 p.m., on Jan. 17, at the Kiewit Auditorium, University of Arizona Cancer Center’s Sydney E. Salmon Building. 

Désir is the chair of medicine at Yale University and a board-certified nephrologist who discovered a protein secreted by the kidney called renalase in 2005. He is a named inventor on patents related to the discovery and therapeutic use of renalase. 

“My goal for the symposium is to familiarize the audience with renalase, which is a very novel pathway that helps us survive. We discovered it 20 years ago,” Désir said. “I enjoy meeting other investigators, especially in different fields.” 

Renalase is thought to regulate blood pressure by breaking down catecholamines like adrenaline and noradrenaline. Renalase is a potential biomarker due to its depletion in chronic kidney disease and has anti-inflammatory, pro-growth properties. It is also being developed as a biomarker for pancreatic cancer.  Désir’s laboratory is currently focused on developing drugs that can treat cancer by blocking the action of renalase in cancer cells. 

Désir is an inventor on several patents connected to the discovery and therapeutic use of renalase and the development of drugs that modulate renalase signaling in cancer. He is the scientific founder of two biotechnology companies that develop renalase-based therapies. 

Désir, who is also the vice provost for faculty development and diversity and the Paul B. Beeson Professor of Medicine, grew up in Haiti and moved to the U.S. for his university studies. He is the co-founder of the Minority Organization for Retention and Expansion (MORE), a faculty group at the Yale School of Medicine focused on increasing faculty diversity through mentoring programs and developing resilient social networks. 

Regents Professor Juanita Merchant, MD, PhD, cancer center interim director; associate director of basic sciences at the U of A  Cancer Center; and chief of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the U of A College of Medicine, earned her MD and PhD at the Yale School of Medicine.  Merchant recommended Désir to lead this CCGR. She believes that in addition to his renowned scientific discoveries, he is an outstanding mentor and leader in developing a diverse faculty at Yale. 

“I have known Dr. Désir for many years, and he is a well-respected physician scientist who has made great strides in treating melanoma, pancreatic cancer and chronic kidney diseases through his dedicated work,” Merchant said. “His grand rounds will generate an enlightening discussion for our cancer center members and graduate students.”  

For more information, contact Ann Bridges, abridges1@arizona.edu.