Research approach

Our research connects fundamental cancer biology with translational oncology. To understand how genetic changes reshape cancer signaling, we integrate:

• Mechanistic and biochemical studies to define how proteins function and are regulated
• Structure–function analysis to understand how protein changes affect activity
• Proteogenomic profiling to link genetic changes to protein behavior 
• Pharmacologic screening to identify effective therapies

We use patient-derived tumor models to study cancer in systems that reflect real biological conditions. A key focus is interpreting variants of uncertain significance (VUS) — genetic alterations with unclear effects — by defining how they affect tumor biology and drug response.

We work to turn lab discoveries into treatments in collaboration with clinical and industry partners. This supports:

• Preclinical therapeutic testing
• Identification of resistance mechanisms
• Development of personalized treatment strategies

Our impact

The Davare Lab has:

• In collaboration with OHSU teams, contributed to preclinical development of kinase inhibitors advancing to clinical trials for ROS1-positive cancers
• Identified new mechanisms that regulate ROS1 signaling
• Discovered ROS1 mutations that drive drug resistance 
• Created patient-derived tumor models of glioblastoma and sarcoma to test drug responses
• Characterized drug sensitivity in rare subtypes of childhood sarcoma and brain tumors. 

Research projects

Studying how ROS1 gene mutations drive drug resistance

We study how ROS1 gene mutations change the protein’s shape and function. These changes can cause drug resistance or other harmful effects. Our research focuses on glioblastoma, lung adenocarcinoma in never-smokers, and children’s high-grade gliomas. We analyze ROS1 activity through lab tests, computer models and patient-derived tumor models. Close collaboration with medical oncologists ensures that our research is relevant to human disease and could be part of clinical care in the future. 

Improving treatment for aggressive childhood brain tumors

We study how kinase fusions trigger and sustain aggressive childhood brain tumors. Our focus includes diffuse midline glioma and other high-grade tumors. Using structural models of the PDGFRA protein, we test how drugs can block or bind to mutated sites.

Testing new therapies for Ewing sarcoma and osteosarcoma

We’re developing new treatments for Ewing sarcoma and osteosarcoma that stem from complex genetic changes and gene fusions. Working with orthopedic surgeons, we collect tumor samples right after surgery. Our lab-grown models approximate how these tumors behave in the body. This helps us test drug responses before clinical use, and may help avoid chemotherapy that won’t work.

Modeling genetic variants to predict treatment resistance

We’re building models to study variants of uncertain significance (VUS) and their role in drug resistance. Using patient data and computer modeling, we analyze how these variants influence cancer growth and response to treatment.

Publications

Find more publications by Monika Davare, Ph.D., in the National Library of Medicine.

Clinical and preclinical insights into a novel MDM2::PDGFRA fusion in recurrent glioblastoma
NPJ Precision Oncology 2025
Beach CZ, Febres-Aldana CA, Marti JLG, Asiry S, Wong T, Boockvar JA, D'Amico RS, Somwar R, Davare MA, Vojnic M

Ribociclib in Sequential Combination with Doxorubicin in Anthracycline-Naïve Advanced Soft-Tissue Sarcomas: Results of a Dose-Finding Phase Ib Study
Clinical Cancer Research 2025
Davis LE, Zhu L, Latour E, McMahon N, Nishikawa G, Choo F, Nusser KD, Pittsenbarger J, Burch R, Park B, Mills GB, Davis JL, Davare M, Ryan CW

Pan-Cancer Analysis of Oncogenic MET Fusions Reveals Distinct Pathogenomic Subsets with Differential Sensitivity to MET-Targeted Therapy
Cancer Discovery 2025 
Febres-Aldana CA, Vojnic M, Odintsov I, Zhang T, Cheng R, Beach CZ, Lu D, Mattar MS, Gazzo AM, Gili L, Harshan M, Ameri A, Machnicki S, Xiao X, Lockwood WW, Zhou XY, Yao Q, Drilon A, Rekhtman N, Shah N, Li A, Liu Z, Yang SR, Davare MA, Ladanyi M, Somwar R

Novel insight into mechanisms of ROS1 catalytic activation via loss of the extracellular domain
Scientific Reports 2024 
Jones K, Keddy C, Jenkins C, Nicholson K, Shinde U, Davare MA

TKI type switching overcomes ROS1 L2086F in ROS1 fusion-positive cancers
NPJ Precision Oncology 2024
Thawani R, Repetto M, Keddy C, Nicholson K, Jones K, Nusser K, Beach CZ, Harada G, Drilon A, Davare MA

Discovery of oncogenic ROS1 missense mutations with sensitivity to tyrosine kinase inhibitors
EMBO Molecular Medicine 2023
Iyer SR, Nusser K, Jones K, Shinde P, Keddy C, Beach CZ, Aguero E, Force J, Shinde U, Davare MA

People

The Davare Lab fosters a collaborative, inclusive culture grounded in intellectual rigor, persistence and respect. We value diverse perspectives that strengthen our science and community. Team members’ range of backgrounds and interests, from neuroscience to comedy, reflect our belief that creativity and curiosity drive scientific discovery. 

Lab members collaborate across disciplines, attend seminars and conferences, and contribute to publications and presentations. Mentorship tailored to each person supports paths to graduate or medical school, residency, fellowship, teaching, communication or advocacy. We also celebrate milestones and build camaraderie outside the lab.

Partners include Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Our work is supported by the National Institutes of Health, the American Cancer Society, the Kuni Foundation and others.

Other lab members

• Nolan Gregg, B.S., research assistant II
• Simone Merani, Reed College student assistant