Sinisa Dovat, M.D., Ph.D.

Research Focus

Dr. Sinisa Dovat leads translational pediatric cancer research with a focus on how disruption in gene regulation—particularly the role of the Ikaros transcription factor (IKZF1)—drives leukemogenesis. His lab explores the molecular mechanisms behind Ikaros dysfunction, including its inhibition by Casein Kinase II (CK2), and works to identify strategies to restore Ikaros function through targeted therapies.

His research is supported in part by Four Diamonds and recognized for its translational scope, aiming to bridge discovery and therapeutic development in childhood leukemia.

Most Recent Publications

• Rajaiah, R., Daniyal, M., Shanmugam, M. P., Valensi, H., Duke, K., Mercer, K., Klink, M., Lanza, M., Uzun, Y., Huang, S., Dovat, S., & Behura, C. G. (2025). CK2α Deletion in the Hematopoietic Compartment Shows a Mild Alteration in Terminally Differentiated Cells and the Expansion of Stem Cells. Cells, 14(13), Article 963. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells14130963
• Ding, Y., He, B., Bogush, D., Schramm, J., Singh, C., Dovat, K., Randazzo, J., Tukaramrao, D., Hengst, J., Annageldiyev, C., Kudva, A., Desai, D., Sharma, A., Spiegelman, V. S., Huang, S., Viet, C. T., Dorsam, G., Saulnier Scholler, G., Broach, J., … Dovat, S. (2025). Critical roles of IKAROS and HDAC1 in regulation of heterochromatin and tumor suppression in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Leukemia, 39(8), 2010-2020. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41375-025-02651-1
• Han, Q., Gu, Y., Xiang, H., Zhang, L., Wang, Y., Yang, C., Li, J., Steiner, C., Lapalombella, R., Woyach, J. A., Yang, Y., Dovat, S., Song, C., & Ge, Z. (2025). Targeting WDR5/ATAD2 signaling by the CK2/IKAROS axis demonstrates therapeutic efficacy in T-ALL. Blood, 145(13), 1407-1421. https://doi.org/10.1182/blood.2024024130
• Chen, W. A., Williams, T. G., So, L., Drew, N., Fang, J., Ochoa, P., Nguyen, N., Jawhar, Y., Otiji, J., Duerksen-Hughes, P. J., Reeves, M. E., Casiano, C. A., Jin, H., Dovat, S., Yang, J., Boyle, K. E., & Francis-Boyle, O. L. (2024). Duocarmycin SA Reduces Proliferation and Increases Apoptosis in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells In Vitro. International journal of molecular sciences, 25(8), Article 4342. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25084342

Impact Statement

Dr. Dovat’s work exemplifies the heart of precision medicine in pediatric oncology. Through Four Diamonds support, his team explores innovative mechanisms to tackle treatment-resistant leukemias and reduce disparities—powering breakthroughs with genuine impact for kids and families.