Department: Neurosurgery

E-mail: eric.huang@hsc.utah.edu
Address: Clinical Neurosciences Center, Room 3335A
Phone: 585-3221

Research Title: Development of Glioma Resistance to DNA Alkylating Agents

Description of Research:

Malignant gliomas present a formidable clinical challenge because they are rarely eradicated surgically and are highly invasive locally. The prognosis for malignant glioma patients remains dismal chiefly because of rapid progression of the disease and acquired resistance to all current therapies. Although a great deal of efforts have been made in the understanding of the major signaling pathways towards gliomagenesis, aberrant pathways evolve frequently during glioma progression, enabling cells to evade killing by drugs targeting the defined pathways. We propose that genetic instability, rather than the activation of specific downstream biological pathways, is the root cause of glioma progression. In this project, we investigate how genetic instability contributes to the development of glioma resistance to the alkylating agents temozolomide and BCNU.

Does this research involve human subjects or animals? Yes

If yes, what is the protocol number? 07-02008; 08-07003

11/2008