Labs

The Ahmed Laboratory focuses on understanding the evaluation of therapeutic resistance in brain cancer.
The lab uses a combination of stem and cancer cell biology, advanced molecular biology techniques (such as DNA chip technology, Next-Gen Sequencing, Chip-seq analysis, transgenic animal models and patient-derived orthotopic brain tumor animal models) and advanced in vivo imaging techniques to understand the molecular mechanism of therapeutic resistance and disease recurrence in brain tumors.

The main focus of this laboratory research is to:

1. Investigate the role of cellular and epigenetic plasticity in brain tumor recurrence
2. Advance the understanding of the Cancer Stem Cell Theory
3. Develop effective targeted therapy to prevent brain tumor recurrence

For more information please visit the Ahmed Laboratory webpage.

The Balyasnikova Lab is dedicated to the advancement and development of translational, cell-based targeted therapy for the treatment of glioblastoma and other brain malignancies. We also aim to develop imaging techniques for the tracking of stem cells in the central nervous system, improving our understanding of therapeutic mechanisms. Finally, as we look towards the future of brain cancer treatment, we are committed to the training of aspiring research professionals.

For more information, please visit the Balyasnikova Lab webpage.

Research Description

Visit The Milo Laboratory website.

Publications

Contact

dieter.henrik.heiland@uniklinik-freiburg.de

Research Description

Our laboratory studies the unique immunobiology of CNS tumors that informs our development of immuno-oncology therapeutics. The laboratory has been intricately involved in a wide variety of bench-to-bedside immune therapeutics, including those that developed in the laboratory and arising from our own patents. We work collaboratively with industry on their pipeline agents to clarify indications and companion biomarkers. The laboratory carries unique expertise in the investigational new drug process and window-of-opportunity clinical trials. The laboratory conducts extensive immune profiling of patient tumors including ex vivo functional assays. Our studies are directed to how various cells interact within the tumor microenvironment and the functional implications using multiplex imaging, methylation profiling, single cell sequencing and transcriptomic analysis. Areas in which we have contributed to science include the following:

EGFRvIII peptide vaccines Our laboratory co-developed with Duke University from bench-to-bedside a peptide (PEP-3-KLH/CDX-110) vaccine strategy that targets the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFRvIII), that demonstrated induction of anti-tumor immune responses.

 STAT3 mediated immune suppression and therapeutic targeting We clarified that the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 STAT3 pathway is a key molecular hub of gliomagenesis and tumor-mediated immune suppression and conducted the preclinical development of a novel small molecule inhibitor of STAT3, WP1066, for which I hold the IND. STAT3 has been considered an “un-druggable” target and this is a first-in-man agent with specificity to STAT3. This drug has been licensed to Moleculin and is now in clinical trials.

Glioblastoma mediated mechanisms of immune suppression We have demonstrated that glioblastoma subverts the immune system to become tumor protective, especially by 1) driving tumor-associated microglia/macrophages to assist in potentiating gliomagenesis; 2) by recruitment of Tregs; 3) and by the intrinsic properties of cancer stem cells which are immunosuppressive on both adaptive and innate immunity. This investigative direction has provided potential therapeutic targets/strategies and biomarker elucidation.

miRNA and nanoparticle therapeutics The laboratory has elucidated the role of epigenetic microRNA regulation on tumor-mediated immune suppression, with an emphasis on potential translational therapeutic approaches.  One of these strategies, miR-124 delivered with lipid nanoparticles to the immune compartment entered clinical trials in spontaneously arising gliomas in canines. 

Immune checkpoint therapeutics and response biomarkers Given the recent FDA approvals of immune checkpoint inhibitors for malignancies, there is great enthusiasm for their use in glioblastoma. Recent work in our lab has been focused on clarification of potential response biomarkers and identification of GBM patient subsets that may benefit.

Publications

Contact

Our lab is dedicated to understanding the impact of senescent microglia on Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) using genetic mouse models and cell culture systems. Aging, the primary risk factor for these neurodegenerative diseases, results in the accumulation of senescent cells in the brain. These cells, often referred to as “zombie” cells, are characterized by irreversible cell cycle arrest and distinct phenotypic changes, including increased levels of cell-cycle inhibitors, heightened senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity, and the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). These cells can persist in tissues and chronically damage their environment through pro-inflammatory factors, potentially leading to the loss of neuroprotective functions and increased brain inflammation. Our research objectives include:
1. Determining how disease conditions promote microglial senescence
2. Identifying the mechanisms that link senescent microglia to neurotoxicity
3. Examining the influence of genetic risk factors on these pathways
We aim to uncover critical insights into microglial senescence and its implications for neurodegenerative diseases by employing reporter mouse lines to detect senescent cells in AD and PD models. This research could potentially reveal new therapeutic targets and enhance our understanding of age-related neurological disorders.

For more information, please visit the Choi Laboratory website.

For more information, please visit the Lee-Chang Lab webpage.

My laboratory focuses on the the development of biological therapies for primary and metastatic brain cancer. We focus on immunotherapy, stem cell biology, gene therapy, and nanotechnology applications to brain tumors. Our goal is to uncover pathways which can be targeted with selected agents and my laboratory closely works with the NIH and the FDA to develop novel therapies for patients with brain cancer.

For more information, please visit www.lesniaklab.com.

For more information, please visit the Miska Lab webpage.

Visit The Skull Base Lab site.

My research focuses on precision medicine and its application for brain tumors. I am focused on the use of molecular analysis to personalize treatments for patients with malignant brain tumors and the delivery of these treatments directly into the brain to improve their efficacy while avoiding unnecessary side effects.

Learn more about our publications and research at the Adam Sonabend Lab website.

For more information, please visit the Zhang Lab webpage.