Basic Science Research

Gayle Woloschak, PhD, professor of radiation oncology, heads a laboratory of researchers who are investigating the three main topics that follow.

The Janus Project: Studying radiation-induced mutations in radiation-induced cancers

A thirty-year, 200-million-dollar set of experiments were performed at 150 laboratories, and then before the data were completely analyzed, terrminated. Members of the Woloschak laboratory have assumed responsibility from Argonne National Laboratory for archiving tissue associated
with 30,000 mice and 4,000 dogs that received various doses and dose-rates of radiation.

Funded by the Department of Energy and National Aeronautic and Space Administration, department radiobiologists will continue the data analyses. Collaborators include investigators at theUniversity of Chicago and at the Bundewehr Radiobiology Institute in Munich.

Studies are examining the effects of dose-rate on radiation-induced toxicities and radiation-induced cancer. They are analyzing cancer cells from these tissues to find differences in mutational spectra that occur in tumors induced in radiation-exposed animals compared to those that occur in spontaneous tumors.

Recent scientific concerns about very low dose exposures makes this effort particularly important.

DNA-TiO2 nanoparticles

The researchers have combined the functional properties of the biomolecule DNA and the inorganic compound TiO2. The project is oriented to investigating the functional use of these nanocomposites for intracellular manipulation, imaging, and gene silencing.

Radiosensitivity/motor neuron disease

The project's purpose is to better understand the molecular basis for the combined abnormalities from a molecular-cellular perspective. Chipbased mRNA studies, gene promotoer analyses, immunohistochemistry, and standard molecular approaches are being used.

Cross-Department Collaborations

Dr. Bharat Mittal with Dr. Steve Rosen, Director of the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University.

Ongoing collaborations with the Department of Radiology (at the medical school) and the Department of Chemistry at Northwestern are exploring methods for imaging and image-guided therapy. Our department has also collaborated with the Department of Pathology to study the elemental contents of cancer tissues using the advanced Photon Source and Chemistry Division at Argonne National Laboratory. Other areas, such as nuclear medicine, surgical oncology, and medical oncology participate actively with the department in both patient care and research.

Current Clinical/Translational Research

Clinical faculty are funded for research projects through several entities, including the National Institutes of Health, drug companies, and National Cooperative Trial Groups. The latter include the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group, the Children's Oncology Group, the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, and the Gynecologic Oncology Group. Some of the intramural studies being conducted include those that follow.

Lurie Center Clinical Research Office

Dr. Mittal's Research

1. Oropharyngeal Function after Radiotherapy with IMRT
2. A Pilot Study of Pulmozyme (rhDNase) in Patients with Head and Neck Cancers Treated with Radiation and Chemotherapy 

Dr. Kalapurakal's Research

1. A Phase I-II Study of Irradiation of Primary and Recurrent Pediatric Brain Tumors Using the Photon Radiosurgery System (PRS)
2. Bio-functionalized Magnetic Nanostructures for Site-Specific Tumor Targeting in Intracellular Hyperthermia
3. Towards In-Vivo Diagnostics, MR Imaging and Thermal Therapeutics with Magnetic Nanostructures
4. Synthesis and Characterization of Ansiotropic Magnetic Nanostructures
5. Development of Novel Therapeutic Agents Including Liposomal Nanoparticle Mediated Intracellular Hyperthermia with Irradiation for Pediatric Brain Stem Gliomas
6. Phase I-II Study of External Hyperthermia and Irradiation in Patients with Locally Advanced Pelvic Tumors
7. A  Randomized Phase II Pilot Trial of Docetaxel and Prednisone Versus Radiation Therapy Plus Docetaxel and Prednisone in Patients with Hormone Refractory Prostate Cancer
8. Development of Novel Therapeutic Agents Including Liposomal Nanoparticle Mediated Intracellular Hyperthermia with Irradiation for Pediatric Neuroblastomas
9. Four National Cooperative Group Wilms Tumor Clinical Protocols

Dr. Small's Research

1. A Phase II Randomized Trial with Captopril in Patients Who Have Received Radiation Therapy +/- Chemotherapy for Stage II-IIIA Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Stage I Central Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, or Limited-Stage Small-Cell Lung Cancer.
2. Phase II Trial of Gemcitabine and Bevacizumab in Combination with Abdominal Radiation Therapy in Patients with Localized Pancreatic Cancer Weekly.
3. MRI of Liver Cancer Water Mobility: Biomarker of Early Biomarker of Radioembolism Response.

For more information: http://www.cro.lurie.northwestern.edu/