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Translational Research

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Our Translational Research Program Offers Hope to Patients

We have a large number of initiatives aimed at developing more effective standards of care for the treatment of brain tumors.

Successful results developed in the research setting from these types of studies allow potential therapy candidates to move on to evaluation in clinical trials.

Computational Modeling and Network Pharmacology Initiative

By using innovative in silico approaches we can optimize therapy for brain cancers. Our research demonstrates the use of a predictive model to identify targeted drugs that will be most effective against a patient’s tumor – based on the genomic profile of that tumor.

We are also using networks-based analyses to identify important intracellular molecules that can serve as targets for glioblastoma or as biomarkers for therapy.

Neurotoxicity Initiative

Neurotoxicity is a common problem in neuro-oncology from chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy to radiation-induced leukoencephalopathy yet we do not have good preventative guidelines or treatment measures for these problems. In our lab, we are working on the detailed mechanisms of neurological injury so that we can identify new drugs to prevent damage.  In the clinic, we are using and studying various drugs to alleviate symptoms of both brain damage from radiation and neuropathy from chemotherapies.

Identification of novel paraneoplastic antibodies

Please see these publications relating to our work on identification of paraneoplastic antibodies and treatments of these rare syndromes.

Improving the Treatment of Central Nervous System (CNS) complications of Systemic Cancer

Spread to the brain from breast, lung, and hematological cancers is an increasingly common problem due to better local treatments of the primary cancer. There is clearly a need to better understand the biological underpinnings of this problem and to develop novel CNS directed approaches to prevent brain metastases or to optimally treat at presentation. We are developing methods to detect this earlier with novel imaging modalities and through analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood proteins.

In addition, hydrocephalus is a common problem associated with a majority of these patients (and also patients with primary brain tumors) that is under recognized and poorly understood, and clearly affects function and quality of life.

Oftentimes this is associated with spread of the cancer cells into the CSF. We are developing novel surgical treatment approaches to treat the hydrocephalus, while simultaneously allowing us to also directly instill chemotherapy into the CSF. Early experience is very promising with improvements in neurological function, survival, and quality of life in our patients.

Biomarker Development Initiative

We are working on identifying and validating new biomarkers in the CSF, blood and imaging. These biomarkers can act as surrogates for pharmacodynamic data and can help stratify patients for different targeted therapeutics. In addition, biomarkers can help identify new targets for drug development.

Neuro Imaging Initiative: Restriction Spectrum Imaging

We perform dynamic susceptibility-contrast (DSC) MRI scans on patients with brain tumors. In addition, we also use quantitative FLAIR and restriction spectrum imaging (RSI) studies to assess effects on edema and tumor cellularity. Our ultimate goal as part of this initiative is to assess imaging biomarkers as early markers of response to therapy.

Genomics-Proteomics Initiative

Molecular Profiling of Tumors

An important focus of research is to characterize the molecular changes, which occur in each individual brain tumor and understand the genes that cause these tumors and enable them to become resistant to treatment with radiation therapy and chemotherapy. The ultimate goal is to determine the unique molecular characteristics of each person’s tumor and select the most appropriate targeted treatment based on these molecular abnormalities. This tailoring of treatment to each person gives us the greatest chance of achieving a cure. The genomic and proteomic technology that allows us to characterize the molecular changes in each patient’s tumor is available now.

Understanding the Genetic Basis of Treatment Responses

Dr. Kesari treats patients with brain tumors which provides him with insight into treatment response. A detailed investigation of patient response to Gleevec (a PDGFR inhibitor), indicated a genetic marker that may potentially predict response to treatment. We are actively working to further confirm these findings. Taking a similar approach, we are validating the functional role of genomic aberrations of EGFR as predictors of sensitivity/resistance of glioblastoma to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKI). Such individualized approaches and discoveries have already led to the initiation of a prospective clinical trial for PDGFR inhibitors in biomarker-enriched high-grade glioma patients.

Unraveling the Genetic Basis of Brain Tumors through Family Ties

Dr. Kesari’s neuro-oncology practice has revealed that some of his brain tumor patients have other family members with brain tumors or other cancers. Although rare, studying these patients’ blood and tumor samples may help uncover genetic causes of brain tumors. Thus, we hope to be able to incorporate this information into future research programs.

Molecularly Targeted Tumor Therapy Initiative

In recent years, the advances in our understanding of the molecular basis of cancer have led to the potential for rational drug development based on the molecular changes of specific tumors. The prime example of this kind of dramatic breakthrough in the treatment of cancer is the success of the drug Gleevec in the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). Promising preliminary results have also been produced by a number of other targeted molecular therapies. However, unlike CML and GIST, which have only one molecular abnormality that is blocked by Gleevec, malignant brain tumors have multiple genetic abnormalities. Therefore, it is likely that combinations of targeted molecular drugs will be more effective than single drugs in these tumors.

Another area of research is the development of drugs that block a tumor’s ability to make new blood vessels, a process termed angiogenesis. There is a large laboratory effort studying new drugs that block angiogenesis and combining these drugs with radiation therapy and chemotherapy to increase their effectiveness. Several drugs (AZD2171, sorafenib, enzastaurin, avastin and VEGF-Trap, CT-322) that block the main cause of angiogenesis in brain tumors are in clinical trials. Preliminary results have been very exciting with approximately 50% of patients showing responses.

Immunotherapy Approaches

Immunotherapy for other cancers has shown impressive responses and long-term remissions with a real possibility of curing patients. We are testing  various immunological approaches in the laboratory for glioblastoma and other brain cancers. In addition, we have open clinical trials and new protocols in development with various companies utilizing new drugs.

Cancer Stem Cells Initiative

There is increasing evidence that brain tumors may arise from abnormal stem cells in the brain. Understanding the role of stem cells in the development of brain tumors will allow us to specifically target these cells to treat brain tumors. Dr Kesari and colleagues has discovered that Olig genes play a crucial role in allowing stem cells to become gliomas; therapies directed against these genes may represent a novel way to treat malignant gliomas.