Toward an understanding of how YB-1 regulates drug resistance in glioblastoma multiforme through epigenetic regulation governed by BMI-1

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive form of brain cancers and is the second most common cancer in children only behind leukemia. Conventional therapy consists primarily of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, and while these approaches have slightly improved the length of patient survival, there remains no cure for this disease. With the emerging understanding of biology in the process of cancer development, identification of therapeutic targets are being elucidated that will allow more targeted and effective treatment of the disease. This approach is especially important in pediatric brain cancer where conventional therapies may result in damage to the brain causing long-term neurocognitive deficits. We have identified one such target, a protein called the Y-box binding protein (YB-1) that is expressed in adult and pediatric GBM. In those cancer cells it promotes tumor cell growth and also drug resistance making it an attractive target for drug therapy. This project delves into a deeper understanding of how YB-1 controls drug resistance through its partnership with another protein, BMI-1, with the aim of increasing therapeutic efficacy.

Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Sandra Dunn

Student:

Daniel Radiloff

Partner:

Hannah's Heroes Foundation

Discipline:

Medicine

Sector:

Life sciences

University:

University of British Columbia