Castro Lab
Read BioOur lab conducts translational oncology research through early stage clinical studies inspired by nanotechnologies, systems biology, and biomarker driven therapies. We focus on solid tumors with an emphasis on highly lethal subtypes such as ovarian cancers. We subscribe to both “high-tech” and “low-tech” theranostic approaches that leverage innovative advances within CSB. To date, these efforts have generated traction both domestically and abroad. We are currently establishing a comprehensive multi-departmental program to prospectively profile gynecologic cancers including multi-omics (sequencing, proteomics, liquid biopsies), pathology (digital and multiplexed profiling), imaging and clinical phenotypes. We seek to ultimately advance cancer theranostics by better understanding the spatiotemporal evolution of cancers and uncovering novel treatment response readouts using integrated machine learning and statistical inferences. Our work has been externally funded by the National Cancer Institute, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, V Foundation for Cancer Research, Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, and the Department of Defense.
Recent Publications
Matulonis UA, Vergote I, Moore KN, Martin LP, Castro CM, Gilbert L, Xia Y, Method M, Stec J, Birrer MJ, O'Malley DM
Safety and efficacy of mirvetuximab soravtansine, a folate receptor alpha (FRα)-targeting antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), in combination with pembrolizumab in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Gynecol Oncol. 2025;200:96-104 - PMID: 40700855 - DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2025.06.016Ssedyabane F, Niyonzima N, Ngonzi J, Najjuma JN, Namuli A, Okeny C, Nuwashaba D, Birungi A, Kajabwangu R, Randall TC, Castro CM, Lee H, Tusubira D
Diagnostic Accuracy of Serum P16ink4A and FOX-P3 Concentrations for Detection of Cervical Lesions Among Women Attending a Cervical Cancer Clinic in Western Uganda: A Case-Control Study. Anal Cell Pathol (Amst). 2025;2025:1931921 - PMID: 40365511 - PMCID: PMC12074841 - DOI: 10.1155/ancp/1931921Konstantinopoulos PA, Cai M, Lee EK, Krasner C, Campos SM, Liu JF, Horowitz NS, Shea M, Parsons HA, Wright AA, Bouberhan S, Penson RT, Yeku O, Hayes M, Sawyer H, Polak M, Castro CM, Cheng SC, Weipert CM, Matulonis UA
Serial Circulating Tumor DNA Sequencing to Monitor Response and Define Acquired Resistance to Letrozole/Abemaciclib in Endometrial Cancer. JCO Precis Oncol. 2025;9:e2400882 - PMID: 40209137 - DOI: 10.1200/PO-24-00882Song J, Cho MH, Cho H, Song Y, Lee SW, Nam HC, Yoon TH, Shin JC, Hong JS, Kim Y, Ekanayake E, Jeon J, You DG, Im SG, Choi GS, Park JS, Carter BC, Balaj L, Seo AN, Miller MA, Park SY, Kang T, Castro CM, Lee H
Amplifying mutational profiling of extracellular vesicle mRNA with SCOPE. Nat Biotechnol. 2024;43(9):1485-1495 - PMID: 39375445 - DOI: 10.1038/s41587-024-02426-6Owokuhaisa J, Turyakira E, Ssedyabane F, Tusubira D, Kajabwangu R, Musinguzi P, Galiwango M, Randall TC, Kakongi N, Castro CM, Atukunda EC, Maling S
Barriers and facilitators of retention in care after cervical cancer screening: patients' and healthcare providers' perspectives. BMC Womens Health. 2024;24(1):516 - PMID: 39272088 - PMCID: PMC11401415 - DOI: 10.1186/s12905-024-03343-1- More publications ...