Funded Grants

Grantee: Mayo Clinic
Project Lead: Hugo Guerrero-Cazares
Grant Title: Targeting the malignant interaction between glioblastoma and the subventricular zone
Grant Type: UKF Seed Grant and 2nd YearRenewal
Year Awarded: 2021 and 2022
Amount: $100,000
Duration: 1 year + 1 year renewal

Summary:
Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive tumor in the brain. Among GBMs, those that are located near an area of the brain called the lateral ventricles (LV) are the ones with the worst prognosis. The reasons for this observation are unknown, we have determined cancer and non-cancer cells near the LV interact with each other and induce a more aggressive cancer behavior. Our laboratory now studies the communication between cancer and non-cancer cells in the brain. We utilize cells derived from GBM patients and cutting-edge molecular tools like cell-specific proteomics, to identify potential therapeutic targets that are evaluated in preclinical models. Our goal is to develop new comprehensive strategies to treat glioblastoma that take into consideration the brain tumor microenvironment. We are confident this approach will increase our chances of offering GBM patients a better therapeutic prognosis.

Update: This paper was recently published, highlighting the work and research done by Guerrero-Cazares, 2021 and 2022 Seed Grant Awardee. “Extracellular vesicles in the glioblastoma microenvironment: A diagnostic and therapeutic perspective.”