Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program

The Department of Neurosurgery at VCU has an active research program devoted to understanding the underlying biological causes of pediatric primary brain tumors. Led by Dr. Gary Tye and Timothy Van Meter, Ph.D., this research program involves faculty-led graduate and undergraduate student research projects, as well as research conducted by medical school students and physicians in residency program. The two main research goals of the program are to better understand the global genetic changes that cause pediatric tumors and to better understand the biology of poor treatment response and to overcome resistance to treatments.

Studying the pediatric brain tumor genome

Using state-of-the-art techniques, such as DNA microarrays, a full-spectrum genetic analysis of tumor specimens can be achieved, allowing researchers to examine the full spectrum of genes that are affected in pediatric brain tumors. The future goal of these studies is to better understand the causes of pediatric brain tumors and eventually to use the genetic signatures to predict treatment response in patients and to tailor treatment regimens for a best possible outcome.

Overcoming treatment resistance

Equally important, the pediatric brain tumor laboratories study the mechanisms responsible for treatment failure. Novel tumor-specific treatments to overcome chemoresistance for medulloblastoma, ependymoma and astrocytoma are devised and tested in the laboratories. Much of the current research in this area is directed at surpressing the activity of novel kinases, enzymes which propel the growth and resistance of tumors. One such kinase, known as AKT2, was found by our laboratories to be hyperactive in a significant percentage of medulloblastomas and in some ependymomas. Study of the enzyme in tumors suggests it may be linked to more aggressive tumor growth and may cause resistance to therapies such as cisplatin. Specific AKT2-targeting drugs are in the preclinical development phase in a effort to silence AKT2 and related kinases, with the hope of increasing the success of chemotherapy.