Brain Cancer

We work on Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM), the most deadly variety of brain cancer. Tumours of any type require a blood supply, which is usually created by branching from normal blood vessels in a process called angiogenesis, and several novel treatments have been devised to combat it, some even at the clinical stage. Recently it has become clear that GBMs do not solely rely on this process to generate a blood supply. They can also create entirely new vessels, by converting tumour stem cells into new blood vessels, thereby evading even advanced anti-angiogenesis treatments.

Our project looks at the exact details of how tumour stem cells are converted into blood vessel cells and other cell types. Thanks to the generous funds awarded by MLSRF, we were able to identify brain tumour initiating cells with great molecular detail in clinical samples. We are pursuing this further by performing what is called RNA deep sequencing at single cell resolution.  We have observed the presence of a previously overlooked protein (see attached picture) that is known to be involved in organising cell structures and are investigating its possible role in generating tumour vessels.

By following this protein’s role in the generation of structures in cultured human cells, we have observed that it is associated with the 'outside' of GBM-derived cells, which could be involved in shielding tumours from therapeutic drugs. We will be manipulating this protein further explore its role in tumour organization under tissue culture conditions. If both angiogenesis and vasculogenesis could be blocked in GBMs then it is hoped that the blood supply of a tumour can be attacked more effectively. This could turn GBMs from an uncompromising killer to a survivable disease.