Anna Jaśkiewicz, DVM, PhD
Since 2022 I have been the Medical Director of the RTWet centre – the first and only megavoltage veterinary radiotherapy centre in Poland and in Central and Eastern Europe. I am extremely proud of this role. Radiotherapy should be part of the treatment of around 60% of cancer patients – thanks to it, I can offer my patients treatment that meets the highest international standard (standard of care).
Our centre treats patients from all over Poland and from abroad – from neighbouring countries and from Scandinavia. My daily work lets me witness the extraordinary bond between people and animals – a love that knows no borders.
EDUCATION
I graduated from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Warsaw in 2016.
During my studies I repeatedly went abroad for internships, completing clinical placements in countries including Germany (Tierärztliche Klinik Gessertshausen), the Czech Republic (University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Small Animal Clinic in Brno) and the Sultanate of Oman (Al Qurum Veterinary Clinic).
Since my student days I have worked continuously in 24-hour clinics, gaining extensive experience in emergency and critical care – essential for the safe care of cancer patients.
RESEARCH
I took my first steps in veterinary oncology during my doctoral studies at the Integrated Doctoral School of the Leading National Research Centre (KNOW). I completed them in 2019, defending my doctoral thesis with distinction, entitled “Molecular mechanism of myoprotective action of geranylgeraniol in cellular model of statin-associated myopathy”. This research resulted in peer-reviewed scientific papers, which you can find in the PUBLICATIONS section.
EXPERIMENTAL ONCOLOGY
After completing my doctorate I continued my research, studying glycolysis inhibitors as agents that overcome drug resistance in glioma, and pSTAT3 inhibitors as a potential therapy for cachexia (cancer-related wasting of skeletal muscle) in a pancreatic cancer model.
Biomedical research on intracellular signalling is one of the best examples of the successful transfer of basic science discoveries into clinical practice.
Advances in the molecular biology of cancer cell signalling, together with new techniques in diagnostics, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery, have helped raise the cure rate of cancer patients from below 10% in the 1930s to over 60% today.
EXPERIENCE
Because cancer affects both people and animals, as a veterinarian I have a unique opportunity to take part in comparative oncology research, bringing the latest findings from human medicine into veterinary practice. The ultimate goal of this work is to transform cancer from an immediately life-threatening disease into a manageable chronic condition that allows patients to live comfortably.
The knowledge I gained working in a molecular biology laboratory allows me to fully understand the complexity of the processes taking place in the bodies of cancer patients. Veterinary oncology and molecular biology are my greatest passions.
I am a member of the European Society of Veterinary Oncology (ESVONC). I continuously expand my knowledge and experience through training and courses, so that my patients receive the best care and access to the latest cancer therapies.
Would you like to book an oncology consultation for your pet?
I currently see patients at two veterinary facilities – the Elwet Veterinary Clinic in Warsaw and the RTWet Veterinary Radiotherapy Centre.