Namita Sharma Gandhi

Dr. Namita Sharma Gandhi

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

11Years (2016-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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1 August 2016 in Radiology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
NGNamita Sharma Gandhi
Namita Sharma Gandhi
MBMark E. Baker
Mark E. Baker
AGAjit H. Goenka
Ajit H. Goenka
JBJennifer A. Bullen
Jennifer A. Bullen
NONancy A. Obuchowski
Nancy A. Obuchowski
BHBrian R. Herts
Brian R. Herts
The diagnostic accuracy of half-dose CT enterography (median volume CT dose index [CTDIvol], 3.68 mGy; median size-specific dose estimate [SSDE], 6.5 mGy) for active terminal ileal Crohn disease wa... PurposeTo compare the diagnostic accuracy and image quality of computed tomographic (CT) enterographic images obtained at half dose and reconstructed with filtered back projection (FBP) and sinogra...

16 October 2017 in Abdominal Radiology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
NGNamita Sharma Gandhi
Namita Sharma Gandhi
MFMyra K. Feldman
Myra K. Feldman
OLOtt Le
Ott Le
GMGareth Morris-Stiff
Gareth Morris-Stiff


1 December 2021 in Molecular Cancer Therapeutics
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
DTDipti Thakkar
Dipti Thakkar
SPShalini Paliwal
Shalini Paliwal
SKShreya Kar
Shreya Kar
NGNamita Sharma Gandhi
Namita Sharma Gandhi
KPKonrad Paszkiewicz
Konrad Paszkiewicz
JBJerome Boyd-Kirkup
Jerome Boyd-Kirkup
HER3 activation, through NRG1 ligand-dependent and independent heterodimerization with HER2 or EGFR, can drive tumor growth and survival via potent PI3K pathway signaling. HER3 activation has emerged as an important mechanism for both tumor progression and acquired resistance to standard of care therapies in multiple indications. With an effective biomarker strategy to select for patients with HER3 driven cancer, potent inhibition of HER3-driven heterodimerization has the potential to confer profound clinical impact. HER3 targeting approaches to date have not shown expected clinical efficacy. Suboptimal HER3 inhibition is one possible explanation; to prevent downstream PI3K signalling, it is critical to fully block both ligand-dependent and independent HER3 activation. Further, despite the clinical evaluation of several anti-HER3 antibodies, only limited progress has been made to establish predictive biomarkers of response to HER3 inhibition. The most thoroughly studied biomarkers predicting response have been increased expression and genomic rearrangements of the HER3 ligand, NRG1. For example, oncogenic NRG1-fusions have been identified as tumor drivers in up to 0.2% of all solid cancers. Few biomarkers predicting lack of response have been reported to date. HMBD-001, is an unique anti-HER3 antibody rationally developed to bind the dimerization interface of HER3 in order to block all HER3 heterodimerization. In contrast to other anti-HER3 antibodies that predominantly bind to the NRG1 binding domain, we observed potent and superior in vitro and in vivo tumor growth inhibition for HMBD-001 in multiple cancer models, including NRG1-fusion driven models. We show that HMBD-001 binds to HER3 with high affinity even in the presence of high concentrations of NRG1, in contrast to other antibodies in which NRG1 competes for the HER3 ligand binding site, thereby decreasing affinity and likely potency. Notably, HMBD-001 treatment of an NRG1-fusion ovarian PDX model showed superior tumor growth inhibition compared with anti-HER3 and anti-HER2/HER3 bispecific antibodies targeting the NRG1 binding domain of HER3. To develop a robust biomarker signature for patient selection beyond NRG1-fusions, we interrogated the genomic and transcriptomic data of all preclinical models for which HMBD-001 efficacy data was available, including in vitro and in vivo models representing multiple HER3 associated cancer sub-types. We identified a novel gene signature that was robustly predictive of HMBD-001 response across a wide range of cancers, including loss of function and gain of function mutations in specific downstream mediators of the MAPK and PI3K signaling pathways. In conclusion, the superior potency of HMBD-001 in preclinical models predicts more complete inhibition of HER3 and better responses in HER3 driven cancers that can be identified using a novel gene signature biomarker. Clinical trials of HMBD-001 in HER3 driven cancers, including those with NRG1-fusions, are expected to commence in 2021. Citation Format: Dipti Thakkar, Shalini Paliwal, Shreya Kar, Namita Gandhi, Konrad Paszkiewicz, Piers Ingram, Jerome Boyd-Kirkup. An anti-HER3 antibody, HMBD-001, that uniquely binds to and blocks the HER3 heterodimerization interface, shows superior tumor growth inhibition in biomarker-defined preclinical cancer models including NRG1-fusion driven cancers [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC Virtual International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2021 Oct 7-10. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2021;20(12 Suppl):Abstract nr P197.

30 December 2025 in Cancers
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
JAJuan Alban
Juan Alban
RBR. Christopher Bowen
R. Christopher Bowen
DRDavid A. Reichstein
David A. Reichstein
MMMeredith McKean
Meredith McKean
JLJose Lutzky
Jose Lutzky
SCSUNANDANA CHANDRA
SUNANDANA CHANDRA
Background/Objectives: Uveal melanoma is a rare but aggressive intraocular malignancy that metastasizes in up to half of patients, most commonly to the liver, despite effective local treatment. In the absence of robust evidence, there are no standardized guidelines for post-treatment surveillance, resulting in wide variation in imaging modalities, frequency, and duration across physicians and institutions. This study aimed to develop expert consensus recommendations for surveillance strategies in patients with uveal melanoma. Methods: A modified Delphi method was conducted across three iterative survey rounds between September 2024 and February 2025 using an online platform. Panelists included medical oncologists, ocular oncologists, radiologists, and surgical oncologists from North America. A multidisciplinary steering committee developed statements addressing risk-based surveillance using both molecular and clinical prognostic factors, including gene expression profiling (GEP) and PRAME status. Consensus was defined a priori as ≥70% of panelists rating a statement 7–9 on a 9-point Likert scale. Results: Forty-nine experts were invited, and 41 completed at least one survey round. The panel represented 17 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., and two Canadian provinces. Twelve statements reached stable consensus, including recommendations for imaging modality, frequency, and duration in intermediate- and high-risk patients. Although there was agreement that low-risk patients warrant surveillance, no consensus was reached on the optimal approach for this group. Conclusions: This is the first study to provide consensus-based guidance incorporating GEP and PRAME status into surveillance recommendations for uveal melanoma, offering a standardized framework to guide clinical practice and future research.