Accessibility

ClosedHealth

Modeling and therapeutic targeting of the clinical and genetic diversity of glioblastoma

PROJECT LEAD(S)/CO-LEAD(S) Gregory Cairncross, Stephen Robbins, Samuel Weiss (University of Calgary), David Kaplan, Warren Mason (University of Toronto), & Marco Marra (University of British Columbia)
COMPETITION/ FUNDING OPPORTUNITY Terry Fox Research Institute
PROJECT START DATE April 1, 2012
PROJECT END DATE June 30, 2019
ALBERTA’S ROLE Co-Lead

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a deadly brain cancer that has eluded major treatment advances. Previous research methodology of growing stem cells from the brain was pioneered by a lead on this project out of the University of Calgary and a recently established cell-based model system provided this project with the foundation for an innovative drug discovery program with real potential for rapid clinical translation. This project’s experimental strategy begins with brain tumor initiating cell lines as a research tool for drug and target discovery and ends with new therapeutics in early phase human testing in molecularly defined subpopulations of GBM via a collaboration with the NCIC Clinical Trials Group. The team’s approach, which combines a superior model system with high-throughput drug screening and genomics technologies, holds great promise. Overall, the ultimate objective is the discovery of new drug therapies for GBM that will improve tumor control and quality of life for patients with this disease. Support of this application will ensure that a stream of new compounds for GBM is entering human trials in Canada within five years and will ensure that specialized laboratory models of GBM are in hand to support future drug discovery.

Related Projects

Scroll to Top
Share
Copy Link