Rate My Professor Kienan Savage

Professor Kienan Savage is Professor of Molecular Oncology in the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences at Queen's University Belfast, affiliated with the Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research. He leads the DNA Damage Response research group, focusing on the cellular DNA damage response and repair pathways. His work examines how defects in these systems contribute to cancer development, progression, and response to therapy, with particular emphasis on breast cancer, inherited breast cancer, and blood cancers such as myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Recent investigations link DNA damage response deficiencies, including those in BRCA1/2-mutant cells, to activation of the cGAS/STING innate immune pathway. This research aims to optimize combination therapies, including immune checkpoint blockade, by exploiting these immune responses in solid tumors and haematological malignancies. Savage's group also explores spliceosome mutations like SF3B1 and their implications for immune activation and therapy sensitivity.

Savage's career at Queen's University Belfast includes progression from post-doctoral research fellow to Professor, with extensive involvement as co-investigator in funded projects such as Targeting DNA Damage Repair Deficiency in MDS (2019-2023), Targeting DNA Damage Repair Deficiency in AML (2019-2023), and Exploiting the Immune Landscape of Oesophageal and Pancreatic Cancer (2020 onwards). He contributes to UN SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being through translational research advancing cancer treatments. Notable awards include Belfast Top 40 under 40 (2011) and Wiley Top Cited Article 2021-2022. Key publications encompass 'Activation of STING-dependent innate immune signaling by S-phase-specific DNA damage in breast cancer' (2017), 'Single-stranded DNA-binding protein hSSB1 is critical for genomic stability' (2008), 'Identification of a BRCA1-mRNA splicing complex required for efficient DNA repair and maintenance of genomic stability' (2014), 'Disruption of SF3B1 results in deregulated expression and splicing of key genes and pathways in myelodysplastic syndrome hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells' (2015), 'BRCA1 deficiency exacerbates estrogen-induced DNA damage and genomic instability' (2014), and 'The relationship between spliceosome mutations and immune activation in cancer' (2022). His highly cited research influences DNA repair and immuno-oncology fields, supporting clinical advancements like improved bone marrow cancer treatments and novel drug targets.