Cardio-oncology research
Image by: Stellenbosch University
Dr Balindiwe Sishi
Research group leader
Research focus
- Oxidative stress
- Mitophagy
- Autophagy
- Mitochondrial health/respiration
- Associated signalling pathways
Mechanisms
The research group investigates the side effects of chemotherapy, particularly doxorubicin, on the heart. Cardiotoxicity, defined as a range of adverse effects on the heart’s function induced by therapeutic molecules, is now considered one of the most important consequences of chemotherapy, leading to an increase in morbidity and mortality of cancer survivors.