CNS Tumor Research Lab
Although our understanding of oncogenesis has steadily improved, the molecular mechanisms that mediate cancer invasion are still poorly understood. It is clear that genetic alterations in malignant CNS tumors affect cell proliferation and cell cycle control, which are the targets of most chemotherapeutic agents. However, effective therapy against cell invasion has been less successful. Thus, delineating the point of convergence of signaling pathways which mediate cancer cell invasion, proliferation and apoptosis may identify novel targets which can serve as possible points of therapeutic intervention. To this end, our research goal is to incorporate pharmacotherapeutic strategies that target resistant infiltrative cancer cells as well as proliferating ones. The CNS tumor research lab seeks to define new molecular targets within these aberrant signaling networks for the development of novel anti-invasive therapies to improve treatment for adult and pediatric CNS patients. To accomplish our goals we rely on genomic / pharmacogenomic technologies combined with molecular and cell biology techniques and animal models of tumor invasiveness.
Current Projects:
1. Identify and characterize the cellular and biochemical mechanisms of action of candidate genes expressed in highly invasive glioblastoma cells.
2. Define epigenetic regulation of glioma invasion and drug resistance (miRNA, methylation, ChIP-chip profiling)
3. Define new molecular targets within the aberrant signaling networks of adult and pediatric CNS tumors for the development of novel therapies.
Staff:
Nhan L. Tran, Ph.D, Unit Head & Associate Investigator
Tara Iyengar, M.D., TGen Clinical Research Services Scholar
Julianna Ross, M.S., Sr. Research Associate
Vincent Paulino, B.S, Research Associate
Matthew Ennis, B.S., Research Assoicate
Robert Sterling, ASU undergraduate intern
Bradford Bowles, ASU undergraduate intern
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