The treatment of the brain tumour glioblastoma (GBM)

Project Details

Underlying the incurable nature of GBM is the invasive potential of glioma stem cells (GSCs, cancer stem cells). Over 40% of GSCs express calcitonin receptor (CTR) and ~80% of patient biopsies contain malignant glioma cells that express CTR. Anti-CTR antibody has been conjugated to a plant toxin to form a potent immunotoxin. Animal trials are underway with the immunotoxin to collect data for proof of concept prior to clinical trials for treatment of GBM

Our group discovered the expression of CTR in the deadly brain tumour GBM, which was published in 2012. This project has been developed by collaboration between neurosurgeons at the Alfred, pharmacologists at Monash University and at the Charité UniversitätMedizin, Berlin. Extending the data packs from the treatment of animal models using our immunotoxin and configurational refinements is a current focus.

Researchers

Research Group

Cardiovascular and Tumourivascular Laboratory


Faculty Research Themes

Cancer, Neuroscience

School Research Themes

Cancer in Medicine, Neuroscience & Psychiatry, Cardiometabolic


Key Contact

For further information about this research, please contact the research group leader.

Department / Centre

Medicine and Radiology

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