Brain Cancer SPORE Research Projects
| Project 1: Tropism Enhanced Oncolytic Adenovirus for the Treatment of Brain Tumors | |
|---|---|
| Frederick Lang, M.D. Clinical Research Principal Investigator |
Juan Fueyo, M.D. Basic Biological Sciences Co-Principal Investigator |
Specific Aim 1: Explore the role of autophagy in the synergy of TMZ and viral oncolysis, and develop an autophagy-targeted oncolytic adenovirus.
Specific Aim 2: Assess the safety, efficacy, and biological effects of combining Delta-24-RGD with TMZ in a phase I/II clinical trial.
Specific Aim 3: Validate the effectiveness of bone marrow-derived human mesenchymal stem cells to delivery Delta-24-RGD in preclinical GSC models and in patients with recurrent GBM.
| Project 2: PI3K Pathway Resistance in Malignant Glioma | |
|---|---|
| W.K. Alfred Yung, M.D. Clinical Research Co-Leader |
Giulio Draetta, Ph.D. Basic Biological Sciences Co-Leader |
Specific Aim 1: To identify alternative signaling pathways after PI3K inhibition using genomic and proteomic approaches for rational combination therapy.
Specific Aim 2: To develop combinatorial therapies based on subtype-specific targeting of GSCs with PI3K inhibitors in vitro and in vivo.
Specific Aim 3: Design and initiate a multi-arm biomarker-based adaptive randomization combination therapy trial in recurrent glioblastoma.
| Project 3: Predictive Markers to Personalize Medicine for Malignant Glioma | |
|---|---|
| Roeland Verhaak, Ph.D. Basic Biological Sciences Co-Leader |
Erik Sulman, M.D., Ph.D. Basic Biological Sciences Co-Leader |
Specific Aim 1: Develop a novel clinical diagnostic to classify patients suitable for FFPE tissue and incorporate the most robust molecular prognostic markers.
Specific Aim 2: Develop a predictive marker of response to radiation therapy.
| Project 4: Targeting Malignant Gliomas with a Novel Inhibitor of the STAT3 Pathway | |
|---|---|
| Waldemar Priebe, Ph.D. Basic Biological Sciences Co-Leader |
Amy Heimberger, M.D. Clinical Research Co-Leader |
Specific Aim 1: Determine the interaction between immune suppression and glioblastoma subtype with WP1066 administration in glioblastoma.
Specific Aim 2: Establish the effects of WP1066 in glioblastoma patients.
Specific Aim 3: Determine the extent to which WP1066 enhances the therapeutic effects of TMZ.
Brain Cancer SPORE Cores
Core A: Administrative Core
Co-Directors: Frederick Lang, M.D., and Juan Fueyo, M.D.
Purpose: To provide a highly effective and centralized administration for the overall management of the Core in relation to scientific, administrative, financial and interactive aims.
Core B: Pathology and Biorepository Core
Co-Directors: Jason Huse, M.D., Ph.D., and Erik Sulman, M.D., Ph.D.
Purpose: Collects, processes, and maintains human tissue specimens from patients, and disperses these tissues to SPORE investigators.
Core C: Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Core
Co-Directors: Kenneth Hess, Ph.D., and Arvind Rao, Ph.D.
Purpose: To support the clinical and laboratory-based projects of the SPORE grant so that research studies are efficiently designed, conducted, monitored and analyzed.
Core D: Clinical Core
Director: Marta Penas-Prado, M.D.
Purpose: To provide infrastructure so that concepts emanating from the projects can be evaluated for translational suitability, formulated into appropriate clinical protocols, and carried out with the appropriate regulatory oversight, safety, and collection of clinical data.
Core E: Animal Core
Co-Directors: Ganesh Rao, M.D. and John de Groot, M.D.
Purpose: To provide support for animal models.