Christopher Heaphy, PhD

Associate Professor, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine

Biography

Dr. Christopher Heaphy is a dedicated cancer biologist whose research combines tissue-based, cell-based, and molecular approaches to investigate the role of telomere alterations in human diseases, with a primary focus on cancer, including prostate cancer, pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, breast cancer, sarcomas, and gliomas. His lab conducts both basic and translational research aimed at understanding how these alterations contribute to the initiation and progression of cancer.

The overarching goal of Dr. Heaphy's research program is to leverage molecular insights from the tumor and its microenvironment to advance clinical applications. His work aims to develop strategies for accurately predicting cancer risk, prognosis, and the potential response to targeted therapies.

Dr. Heaphy earned his Ph.D. from the University of New Mexico School of Medicine and completed postdoctoral training at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Currently, he is an Associate Professor of Medicine affiliated with Boston Medical Center and a member of the Boston University-Boston Medical Center (BU-BMC) Cancer Center.

Publications

  • Published 8/29/2026

    Verschuur AVD, Hackeng WM, Jairam J, Eldem B, Westendorp JS, Vriens MR, Valk GD, Pea A, Salvia R, Lawlor RT, Scarpa A, Luchini C, Heaphy CM, Hong SM, Marinoni I, Perren A, Dreijerink KMA, van Dijkum EJMN, Sarasqueta AF, Singhi AD, Elias SG, Brosens LAA. Real-World-Feasible Immunohistochemistry of ATRX, DAXX, and Menin Identifies a Subgroup of Non-Functioning Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors with low Recurrence Risk to Guide De-Escalating Surveillance. Endocr Pathol. 2026 Aug 29; 37(1). PMID: 42667492.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 6/23/2026

    Benmhammed H, Sun Y, AlAbdullatif S, Chen A, Khan S, Zadeh AM, Mazile N, Beacham GM, Mahdaviani K, Williams C, Alekseyev YO, Campbell JD, Hagedorn EJ, Heaphy C, Klings ES, Steinberg MH, Cui S. PGC-1a agonism via oral administration of ZLN005 induces fetal hemoglobin and is antisickling in sickle mice. Blood Adv. 2026 Jun 23; 10(12):4358-4369. PMID: 42024469.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 6/15/2026

    Arbesfeld-Qiu JM, Cho JW, Nguyen PTT, Lester NA, Su J, Shiau C, Guo JA, Hoffman H, Caldwell NJ, Muratani S, Galvan M, Proctor JE, Ely ZA, Wang S, Ganci M, Dries R, Hong T, Wo J, Boland G, Fernandez-Del Castillo C, Ferrone CR, Heaphy CM, Zhang ML, Mino-Kenudson M, Hemberg M, Hwang WL. Distinct Malignant Cell States and Myeloid Glutamate Signaling Associated with Aggressive Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors. Clin Cancer Res. 2026 Jun 15; 32(12):2449-2466. PMID: 41849229.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 6/4/2026

    Keegan J, Sorbello S, Mori J, Muratani S, Leshchiner I, Heaphy CM, Flynn RL. Complex structural variations functionally inactivate the telomerase chaperone TCAB1 in osteosarcoma. BMC Cancer. 2026 Jun 04; 26(1). PMID: 42243724.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 5/29/2026

    Bevere M, Gkountakos A, Valentinuzzi S, De Fabritiis S, Wong CS, De Robertis R, Mattiolo P, Gentiluomo M, Fassan M, Pea A, Crinò SF, Simbolo M, Mafficini A, Campa D, Cingarlini S, Landoni L, Lawlor RT, Salvia R, D'Onofrio M, Milella M, Adsay V, Brosens LA, Heaphy CM, Hong SM, Singhi AD, Scarpa A, Luchini C. Multi-omic profiles of neuroendocrine neoplasms of the pancreas: an integrated landscape. Mol Cancer. 2026 May 29; 25(1). PMID: 42210310.

    Read at: PubMed

View All 125 Publications:   View Full Profile in BUMC

Other Positions

  • Member, BU-BMC Cancer Center
    Boston University
  • Member, Evans Center for Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research
    Boston University
  • Graduate Medical Sciences Educator and Mentor (Primary Mentor of Graduate Students)
    Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Graduate Medical Sciences

Websites

Education

  • University of New Mexico School of Medicine, PhD
  • University of New Mexico, BS

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