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Iris Romero

TitleProfessor
InstitutionUniversity of Chicago
DepartmentObstetrics and Gynecology-Generalists
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    Collapse Overview 
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    Dr. Romero is an Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Chicago. Her research program focuses on identifying novel interventions for ovarian cancer prevention and treatment. To approach this her lab evaluates the cancer protective effects of medications that are widely used for non-cancer indications. Given the high cost and difficulty of new cancer drug development, drug repurposing or taping into the anti-carcinogenic potential of economical and widely used drugs is an important paradigm shift in cancer research. Her research program integrate of in vitro cancer biology techniques, mouse models of ovarian cancer and human clinical data and samples. Using this integrated approach, her group has reported anti-ovarian cancer effects of two commonly used medications: metformin used for diabetes and statins used for high cholesterol. Complementary to her research endeavors, Dr. Romero’s clinical practice provides comprehensive obstetrical and gynecological care to women at high risk for gynecologic malignancies, including those with a genetic predisposition to cancer.

    Collapse Biography 
    Collapse education and training
    University of New Mexico, NMMD2001MD
    University of Utah, UT2005Ob/Gyn
    Hershey Medical Center, PA2003Ob/Gyn

    Collapse Bibliographic 
    Collapse selected publications
    Publications listed below are automatically derived from MEDLINE/PubMed and other sources, which might result in incorrect or missing publications. Faculty can login to make corrections and additions.
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    PMC Citations indicate the number of times the publication was cited by articles in PubMed Central, and the Altmetric score represents citations in news articles and social media. (Note that publications are often cited in additional ways that are not shown here.) Fields are based on how the National Library of Medicine (NLM) classifies the publication's journal and might not represent the specific topic of the publication. Translation tags are based on the publication type and the MeSH terms NLM assigns to the publication. Some publications (especially newer ones and publications not in PubMed) might not yet be assigned Field or Translation tags.) Click a Field or Translation tag to filter the publications.
    1. Coffin T, Bowen D, Swisher E, Lu K, Rayes N, Norquist B, Blank S, Levine D, Bakkum-Gamez J, Fleming G, Olopade O, D'Andrea A, Nebgen D, Peterson C, Munsell M, Gavin K, Lechner R, Crase J, Polinsky D, Romero I, Coffin T, Bowen D, Swisher E, Lu K, Rayes N, Norquist B, Blank S, Levine D, Bakkum-Gamez J, Fleming G, Olopade O, D'Andrea A, Nebgen D, Peterson C, Munsell M, Gavin K, Lechner R, Crase J, Polinsky D, Romero I. An Accessible Communication System for Population-Based Genetic Testing: Development and Usability Study. JMIR Form Res. 2022 Oct 17; 6(10):e34055. PMID: 36251350; PMCID: PMC9623457.
      Citations:    
    2. Coffin T, Bowen D, Lu K, Swisher EM, Rayes N, Norquist B, Blank SV, Levine DA, Bakkum-Gamez JN, Fleming GF, I Olopade O, Romero I, D'Andrea A, Nebgen DR, Peterson C, Munsell MF, Gavin K, Crase J, Polinsky D, Lechner R, Coffin T, Bowen D, Lu K, Swisher EM, Rayes N, Norquist B, Blank SV, Levine DA, Bakkum-Gamez JN, Fleming GF, I Olopade O, Romero I, D'Andrea A, Nebgen DR, Peterson C, Munsell MF, Gavin K, Crase J, Polinsky D, Lechner R. Using Social Media to Facilitate Communication About Women's Testing: Tool Validation Study. JMIR Form Res. 2022 Sep 26; 6(9):e35035. PMID: 36155347; PMCID: PMC9555323.
      Citations:    
    3. Strohsnitter WC, Hyer M, Bertrand KA, Cheville AL, Palmer JR, Hatch EE, Aagaard KM, Titus L, Romero IL, Huo D, Hoover RN, Troisi R, Strohsnitter WC, Hyer M, Bertrand KA, Cheville AL, Palmer JR, Hatch EE, Aagaard KM, Titus L, Romero IL, Huo D, Hoover RN, Troisi R. Prenatal Diethylstilbestrol Exposure and Cancer Risk in Males. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2021 10; 30(10):1826-1833. PMID: 34272263; PMCID: PMC8492497.
      Citations: 2     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    4. Guerrero-Hall KD, Muscanell R, Garg N, Romero IL, Chor J, Guerrero-Hall KD, Muscanell R, Garg N, Romero IL, Chor J. Obstetrics and Gynecology Resident Physician Experiences with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Healthcare Training. Med Sci Educ. 2021 Apr; 31(2):599-606. PMID: 34457914; PMCID: PMC8368479.
      Citations: 1     
    5. Mukherjee A, Chiang CY, Daifotis HA, Nieman KM, Fahrmann JF, Lastra RR, Romero IL, Fiehn O, Lengyel E, Mukherjee A, Chiang CY, Daifotis HA, Nieman KM, Fahrmann JF, Lastra RR, Romero IL, Fiehn O, Lengyel E. Adipocyte-Induced FABP4 Expression in Ovarian Cancer Cells Promotes Metastasis and Mediates Carboplatin Resistance. Cancer Res. 2020 04 15; 80(8):1748-1761. PMID: 32054768.
      Citations: 64     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    6. Hart PC, Kenny HA, Grassl N, Watters KM, Litchfield LM, Coscia F, Bla?enovic I, Ploetzky L, Fiehn O, Mann M, Lengyel E, Romero IL, Hart PC, Kenny HA, Grassl N, Watters KM, Litchfield LM, Coscia F, Bla?enovic I, Ploetzky L, Fiehn O, Mann M, Lengyel E, Romero IL. Mesothelial Cell HIF1a Expression Is Metabolically Downregulated by Metformin to Prevent Oncogenic Tumor-Stromal Crosstalk. Cell Rep. 2019 12 17; 29(12):4086-4098.e6. PMID: 31851935; PMCID: PMC7218928.
      Citations: 12     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    7. Chefetz I, Grimley E, Yang K, Hong L, Vinogradova EV, Suciu R, Kovalenko I, Karnak D, Morgan CA, Chtcherbinine M, Buchman C, Huddle B, Barraza S, Morgan M, Bernstein KA, Yoon E, Lombard DB, Bild A, Mehta G, Romero I, Chiang CY, Landen C, Cravatt B, Hurley TD, Larsen SD, Buckanovich RJ, Chefetz I, Grimley E, Yang K, Hong L, Vinogradova EV, Suciu R, Kovalenko I, Karnak D, Morgan CA, Chtcherbinine M, Buchman C, Huddle B, Barraza S, Morgan M, Bernstein KA, Yoon E, Lombard DB, Bild A, Mehta G, Romero I, Chiang CY, Landen C, Cravatt B, Hurley TD, Larsen SD, Buckanovich RJ. A Pan-ALDH1A Inhibitor Induces Necroptosis in Ovarian Cancer Stem-like Cells. Cell Rep. 2019 03 12; 26(11):3061-3075.e6. PMID: 30865894; PMCID: PMC7061440.
      Citations: 59     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    8. Hart PC, Chiyoda T, Liu X, Weigert M, Curtis M, Chiang CY, Loth R, Lastra R, McGregor SM, Locasale JW, Lengyel E, Romero IL, Hart PC, Chiyoda T, Liu X, Weigert M, Curtis M, Chiang CY, Loth R, Lastra R, McGregor SM, Locasale JW, Lengyel E, Romero IL. SPHK1 Is a Novel Target of Metformin in Ovarian Cancer. Mol Cancer Res. 2019 04; 17(4):870-881. PMID: 30655321; PMCID: PMC6445689.
      Citations: 29     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimals
    9. Nielsen SM, Eccles DM, Romero IL, Al-Mulla F, Balma?a J, Biancolella M, Bslok R, Caligo MA, Calvello M, Capone GL, Cavalli P, Chan TLC, Claes KBM, Cortesi L, Couch FJ, de la Hoya M, De Toffol S, Diez O, Domchek SM, Eeles R, Efremidis A, Fostira F, Goldgar D, Hadjisavvas A, Hansen TVO, Hirasawa A, Houdayer C, Kleiblova P, Krieger S, L?zaro C, Loizidou M, Manoukian S, Mensenkamp AR, Moghadasi S, Monteiro AN, Mori L, Morrow A, Naldi N, Nielsen HR, Olopade OI, Pachter NS, Palmero EI, Pedersen IS, Piane M, Puzzo M, Robson M, Rossing M, Sini MC, Solano A, Soukupova J, Tedaldi G, Teixeira M, Thomassen M, Tibiletti MG, Toland A, T?rngren T, Vaccari E, Varesco L, Vega A, Wallis Y, Wappenschmidt B, Weitzel J, Spurdle AB, De Nicolo A, G?mez-Garc?a EB, Nielsen SM, Eccles DM, Romero IL, Al-Mulla F, Balma?a J, Biancolella M, Bslok R, Caligo MA, Calvello M, Capone GL, Cavalli P, Chan TLC, Claes KBM, Cortesi L, Couch FJ, de la Hoya M, De Toffol S, Diez O, Domchek SM, Eeles R, Efremidis A, Fostira F, Goldgar D, Hadjisavvas A, Hansen TVO, Hirasawa A, Houdayer C, Kleiblova P, Krieger S, L?zaro C, Loizidou M, Manoukian S, Mensenkamp AR, Moghadasi S, Monteiro AN, Mori L, Morrow A, Naldi N, Nielsen HR, Olopade OI, Pachter NS, Palmero EI, Pedersen IS, Piane M, Puzzo M, Robson M, Rossing M, Sini MC, Solano A, Soukupova J, Tedaldi G, Teixeira M, Thomassen M, Tibiletti MG, Toland A, T?rngren T, Vaccari E, Varesco L, Vega A, Wallis Y, Wappenschmidt B, Weitzel J, Spurdle AB, De Nicolo A, G?mez-Garc?a EB. Genetic Testing and Clinical Management Practices for Variants in Non-BRCA1/2 Breast (and Breast/Ovarian) Cancer Susceptibility Genes: An International Survey by the Evidence-Based Network for the Interpretation of Germline Mutant Alleles (ENIGMA) Clinical Working Group. JCO Precis Oncol. 2018; 2. PMID: 31517176; PMCID: PMC6742430.
      Citations: 13     Fields:    
    10. Guindalini RSC, Zheng Y, Abe H, Whitaker K, Yoshimatsu TF, Walsh T, Schacht D, Kulkarni K, Sheth D, Verp MS, Bradbury AR, Churpek J, Obeid E, Mueller J, Khramtsova G, Liu F, Raoul A, Cao H, Romero IL, Hong S, Livingston R, Jaskowiak N, Wang X, Debiasi M, Pritchard CC, King MC, Karczmar G, Newstead GM, Huo D, Olopade OI, Guindalini RSC, Zheng Y, Abe H, Whitaker K, Yoshimatsu TF, Walsh T, Schacht D, Kulkarni K, Sheth D, Verp MS, Bradbury AR, Churpek J, Obeid E, Mueller J, Khramtsova G, Liu F, Raoul A, Cao H, Romero IL, Hong S, Livingston R, Jaskowiak N, Wang X, Debiasi M, Pritchard CC, King MC, Karczmar G, Newstead GM, Huo D, Olopade OI. Intensive Surveillance with Biannual Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging Downstages Breast Cancer in BRCA1 Mutation Carriers. Clin Cancer Res. 2019 03 15; 25(6):1786-1794. PMID: 30154229; PMCID: PMC6395536.
      Citations: 13     Fields:    Translation:HumansPHPublic Health
    11. Romero IL, Romero IL. Obstetrics and Gynecology: A Specialty at the Forefront of Care for LGBTQ Patients. Semin Reprod Med. 2017 09; 35(5):395-396. PMID: 29073676.
      Citations:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
    12. Bushe S, Romero IL, Bushe S, Romero IL. Lesbian Pregnancy: Care and Considerations. Semin Reprod Med. 2017 09; 35(5):420-425. PMID: 29073680.
      Citations: 1     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    13. Chiyoda T, Hart PC, Eckert MA, McGregor SM, Lastra RR, Hamamoto R, Nakamura Y, Yamada SD, Olopade OI, Lengyel E, Romero IL, Chiyoda T, Hart PC, Eckert MA, McGregor SM, Lastra RR, Hamamoto R, Nakamura Y, Yamada SD, Olopade OI, Lengyel E, Romero IL. Loss of BRCA1 in the Cells of Origin of Ovarian Cancer Induces Glycolysis: A Window of Opportunity for Ovarian Cancer Chemoprevention. Cancer Prev Res (Phila). 2017 Apr; 10(4):255-266. PMID: 28264838; PMCID: PMC5425093.
      Citations: 11     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    14. Liu X, Romero IL, Litchfield LM, Lengyel E, Locasale JW, Liu X, Romero IL, Litchfield LM, Lengyel E, Locasale JW. Metformin Targets Central Carbon Metabolism and Reveals Mitochondrial Requirements in Human Cancers. Cell Metab. 2016 11 08; 24(5):728-739. PMID: 27746051; PMCID: PMC5889952.
      Citations: 104     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    15. Ezewuiro O, Grushko TA, Kocherginsky M, Habis M, Hurteau JA, Mills KA, Hunn J, Olopade OI, Fleming GF, Romero IL, Ezewuiro O, Grushko TA, Kocherginsky M, Habis M, Hurteau JA, Mills KA, Hunn J, Olopade OI, Fleming GF, Romero IL. Association of Metformin Use with Outcomes in Advanced Endometrial Cancer Treated with Chemotherapy. PLoS One. 2016; 11(1):e0147145. PMID: 26788855; PMCID: PMC4720394.
      Citations: 23     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    16. Bowtell DD, B?hm S, Ahmed AA, Aspuria PJ, Bast RC, Beral V, Berek JS, Birrer MJ, Blagden S, Bookman MA, Brenton JD, Chiappinelli KB, Martins FC, Coukos G, Drapkin R, Edmondson R, Fotopoulou C, Gabra H, Galon J, Gourley C, Heong V, Huntsman DG, Iwanicki M, Karlan BY, Kaye A, Lengyel E, Levine DA, Lu KH, McNeish IA, Menon U, Narod SA, Nelson BH, Nephew KP, Pharoah P, Powell DJ, Ramos P, Romero IL, Scott CL, Sood AK, Stronach EA, Balkwill FR, Bowtell DD, B?hm S, Ahmed AA, Aspuria PJ, Bast RC, Beral V, Berek JS, Birrer MJ, Blagden S, Bookman MA, Brenton JD, Chiappinelli KB, Martins FC, Coukos G, Drapkin R, Edmondson R, Fotopoulou C, Gabra H, Galon J, Gourley C, Heong V, Huntsman DG, Iwanicki M, Karlan BY, Kaye A, Lengyel E, Levine DA, Lu KH, McNeish IA, Menon U, Narod SA, Nelson BH, Nephew KP, Pharoah P, Powell DJ, Ramos P, Romero IL, Scott CL, Sood AK, Stronach EA, Balkwill FR. Rethinking ovarian cancer II: reducing mortality from high-grade serous ovarian cancer. Nat Rev Cancer. 2015 Nov; 15(11):668-79. PMID: 26493647; PMCID: PMC4892184.
      Citations: 462     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    17. Litchfield LM, Mukherjee A, Eckert MA, Johnson A, Mills KA, Pan S, Shridhar V, Lengyel E, Romero IL, Litchfield LM, Mukherjee A, Eckert MA, Johnson A, Mills KA, Pan S, Shridhar V, Lengyel E, Romero IL. Hyperglycemia-induced metabolic compensation inhibits metformin sensitivity in ovarian cancer. Oncotarget. 2015 Sep 15; 6(27):23548-60. PMID: 26172303; PMCID: PMC4695136.
      Citations: 25     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    18. Romero IL, Mukherjee A, Kenny HA, Litchfield LM, Lengyel E, Romero IL, Mukherjee A, Kenny HA, Litchfield LM, Lengyel E. Molecular pathways: trafficking of metabolic resources in the tumor microenvironment. Clin Cancer Res. 2015 Feb 15; 21(4):680-6. PMID: 25691772; PMCID: PMC4333734.
      Citations: 48     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    19. Febbraro T, Lengyel E, Romero IL, Febbraro T, Lengyel E, Romero IL. Old drug, new trick: repurposing metformin for gynecologic cancers? Gynecol Oncol. 2014 Dec; 135(3):614-21. PMID: 25455733; PMCID: PMC4268303.
      Citations: 30     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    20. Lengyel E, Litchfield LM, Mitra AK, Nieman KM, Mukherjee A, Zhang Y, Johnson A, Bradaric M, Lee W, Romero IL, Lengyel E, Litchfield LM, Mitra AK, Nieman KM, Mukherjee A, Zhang Y, Johnson A, Bradaric M, Lee W, Romero IL. Metformin inhibits ovarian cancer growth and increases sensitivity to paclitaxel in mouse models. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2015 Apr; 212(4):479.e1-479.e10. PMID: 25446664; PMCID: PMC4387077.
      Citations: 61     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    21. Kenny HA, Chiang CY, White EA, Schryver EM, Habis M, Romero IL, Ladanyi A, Penicka CV, George J, Matlin K, Montag A, Wroblewski K, Yamada SD, Mazar AP, Bowtell D, Lengyel E, Kenny HA, Chiang CY, White EA, Schryver EM, Habis M, Romero IL, Ladanyi A, Penicka CV, George J, Matlin K, Montag A, Wroblewski K, Yamada SD, Mazar AP, Bowtell D, Lengyel E. Mesothelial cells promote early ovarian cancer metastasis through fibronectin secretion. J Clin Invest. 2014 Oct; 124(10):4614-28. PMID: 25202979; PMCID: PMC4191043.
      Citations: 159     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    22. Habis M, Wroblewski K, Bradaric M, Ismail N, Yamada SD, Litchfield L, Lengyel E, Romero IL, Habis M, Wroblewski K, Bradaric M, Ismail N, Yamada SD, Litchfield L, Lengyel E, Romero IL. Statin therapy is associated with improved survival in patients with non-serous-papillary epithelial ovarian cancer: a retrospective cohort analysis. PLoS One. 2014; 9(8):e104521. PMID: 25118694; PMCID: PMC4131884.
      Citations: 24     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    23. Nieman KM, Romero IL, Van Houten B, Lengyel E, Nieman KM, Romero IL, Van Houten B, Lengyel E. Adipose tissue and adipocytes support tumorigenesis and metastasis. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2013 Oct; 1831(10):1533-41. PMID: 23500888; PMCID: PMC3742583.
      Citations: 329     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    24. Romero IL, McCormick A, McEwen KA, Park S, Karrison T, Yamada SD, Pannain S, Lengyel E, Romero IL, McCormick A, McEwen KA, Park S, Karrison T, Yamada SD, Pannain S, Lengyel E. Relationship of type II diabetes and metformin use to ovarian cancer progression, survival, and chemosensitivity. Obstet Gynecol. 2012 Jan; 119(1):61-7. PMID: 22183212; PMCID: PMC3244683.
      Citations: 78     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    25. Nieman KM, Kenny HA, Penicka CV, Ladanyi A, Buell-Gutbrod R, Zillhardt MR, Romero IL, Carey MS, Mills GB, Hotamisligil GS, Yamada SD, Peter ME, Gwin K, Lengyel E, Nieman KM, Kenny HA, Penicka CV, Ladanyi A, Buell-Gutbrod R, Zillhardt MR, Romero IL, Carey MS, Mills GB, Hotamisligil GS, Yamada SD, Peter ME, Gwin K, Lengyel E. Adipocytes promote ovarian cancer metastasis and provide energy for rapid tumor growth. Nat Med. 2011 Oct 30; 17(11):1498-503. PMID: 22037646; PMCID: PMC4157349.
      Citations: 989     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    26. Romero IL, Lee W, Mitra AK, Gordon IO, Zhao Y, Leonhardt P, Penicka CV, Mui KL, Krausz TN, Greene GL, Lengyel E, Romero IL, Lee W, Mitra AK, Gordon IO, Zhao Y, Leonhardt P, Penicka CV, Mui KL, Krausz TN, Greene GL, Lengyel E. The effects of 17?-estradiol and a selective estrogen receptor modulator, bazedoxifene, on ovarian carcinogenesis. Gynecol Oncol. 2012 Jan; 124(1):134-41. PMID: 21996264; PMCID: PMC3249832.
      Citations: 8     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    27. Zillhardt M, Park SM, Romero IL, Sawada K, Montag A, Krausz T, Yamada SD, Peter ME, Lengyel E, Zillhardt M, Park SM, Romero IL, Sawada K, Montag A, Krausz T, Yamada SD, Peter ME, Lengyel E. Foretinib (GSK1363089), an orally available multikinase inhibitor of c-Met and VEGFR-2, blocks proliferation, induces anoikis, and impairs ovarian cancer metastasis. Clin Cancer Res. 2011 Jun 15; 17(12):4042-51. PMID: 21551255; PMCID: PMC3169439.
      Citations: 42     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    28. Chen L, Park SM, Tumanov AV, Hau A, Sawada K, Feig C, Turner JR, Fu YX, Romero IL, Lengyel E, Peter ME, Chen L, Park SM, Tumanov AV, Hau A, Sawada K, Feig C, Turner JR, Fu YX, Romero IL, Lengyel E, Peter ME. CD95 promotes tumour growth. Nature. 2010 May 27; 465(7297):492-6. PMID: 20505730; PMCID: PMC2879093.
      Citations: 178     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    29. Romero IL, Gordon IO, Jagadeeswaran S, Mui KL, Lee WS, Dinulescu DM, Krausz TN, Kim HH, Gilliam ML, Lengyel E, Romero IL, Gordon IO, Jagadeeswaran S, Mui KL, Lee WS, Dinulescu DM, Krausz TN, Kim HH, Gilliam ML, Lengyel E. Effects of oral contraceptives or a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist on ovarian carcinogenesis in genetically engineered mice. Cancer Prev Res (Phila). 2009 Sep; 2(9):792-9. PMID: 19737983; PMCID: PMC2758654.
      Citations: 10     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    30. Romero I, Turok D, Gilliam M, Romero I, Turok D, Gilliam M. A randomized trial of tramadol versus ibuprofen as an adjunct to pain control during vacuum aspiration abortion. Contraception. 2008 Jan; 77(1):56-9. PMID: 18082668.
      Citations:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
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