Lab Affiliation: John Lowengrub Lab
Title: Glioblastoma Radioresistance and the effect of De-differentiationÂ
Abstract: Glioblastoma is the most lethal and prevalent form of cancer to the central nervous system. Median life expectancy for patients is five years, and in that time the tumor evolves rapidly while modifying its microenvironment in the process, e.g. inducing hypoxia. When blasted with radiotherapy it recurs quickly to almost its original size. One major cause of this recurrence is within the hierarchical structure of the tumor. In particular, it has populations of stem cells and differentiated cells. Prior work with cell lineage models demonstrates the salience of feedback on division in recurrence. To reflect recent biological insights in treatment of glioblastoma, the work we’re doing seeks to extend that by adding rates and processes related to de-differentiation of non-stem cells back into stem cells. Exploration of this model may provide insight into the efficacy of treatments targeting such a molecule.