Targeting clonal heterogeneity in treatment-refractory Glioblastoma with novel and empiric immunotherapies

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary adult brain tumor, characterized by extensive cellular and genetic heterogeneity. Even with surgery, standard chemotherapy, and radiation, tumor recurrence and patient relapse are inevitable with a median survival rate of <15 months. The overall goal of this proposal is to identify new therapeutic targets that drive clonal evolution in treatment-refractory GBM, develop novel and empirical immunotherapies that harness the immune system and target specific cell surface receptors on GBM cells at the same time, and undertake preclinical evaluation of candidate therapeutic antibodies using our unique animal model of human GBM recurrence. The interns in this proposed cluster will be involved in 1) tracking GBM cell populations to determine the intracellular pathways that drive relapse and 2) the development of novel biologics to target specific proteins in these pathways under the direction of Dr. Moffat (UofT) as well as 3) testing these in animal models in Dr. Singhs lab (McMaster). A promising lead panel of biotherapeutics will be translated into early clinical development at the partner organization, CCAB, and their its network of clinicians and industry partners with the hope of generating targeted therapies

Faculty Supervisor:

Sheila Kumari Singh

Student:

Nicolas Yelle

Partner:

Centre for the Commercialization of Antibodies and Biologics

Discipline:

Medicine

Sector:

Life sciences

University:

University of Toronto