Overview and accomplishments

The Emory Winship Cancer Institute Brain Tumor Program at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, groups a variety of experts in diverse areas of biomedical research around a common theme: basic and clinical research on brain tumors.

The overall goal of the program is to better understand the origin of brain tumor disease with focus on malignant gliomas, the molecular mechanisms involved in their formation and the development of novel therapies for treatment. Towards this overarching goal, the BTP was very successful in developing basic and translational research in brain tumors, establishing novel patents, engaging in industry collaborations to translate basic findings to the clinic, integrating new recruits, and initiating new collaborations and lines of inquiry. Our major research efforts are currently centered around the problem of hypoxia development in malignant gliomas, and the ensuing signaling cascade that leads to adaptive responses in the tumor that fuel its aggressive progression. Currently we focus on two facets of this important biological phenomenon: 1. the mechanisms by which thrombolytic events occur in the growing edge of tumor and induce microregions of hypoxia and 2. the regulation and targeting of Hypoxia-Inducible factor-1, a major mediator of the gene activation programs that ensue in tumor cells exposed to hypoxia.

Program objectives and development:

• Define key areas of excellence and research focus on brain tumors for the program. Foster integration of BTP investigators into these areas and promote scientific interactions and synergy. Strengthen these areas of excellence with key recruitments and work toward program grants.
  
  
• Organize regular meetings of BT Program members to foster scientific interaction and sharing of results. Organize outside speaker program.
  
  
• Develop core resources that will help individual investigators reach their goals (tissue specimen bank, integration of patient data into research database, animal models, animal imaging services, creation of tissue arrays and immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization services).
  
  
• Translate laboratory findings into clinical trials (bench to clinic) and provide biological correlates for clinical trials (clinic to bench).
  
  
• Establish teaching and training opportunities in neuro-oncology (setup funded training program for fellows and postdocs, neuro-oncology course).
  
  
• Provide a mentorship program and career development opportunities in brain tumor research within the program. Promote funding success with internal peer-review of grant submissions.
  
  
• Serve as an advocate for brain tumor research at local, State, National and International levels, promote public awareness, work with fundraising foundations, promote State support for research, lobby for federal initiatives in BT research (DOD, registry, etc.).
  
  
• Build seed funds to create programmatic career development awards and pilot research developmental grants.