2008 UALC
Rolf Brekken, PhD
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Research Project:
Identification of Tumor Cell-derived Factors Associated with Resistance to Anti-VEGF Therapy in Lung Cancer
Summary:
Anti-angiogenic therapies such as the anti-VEGF antibody Avastin, have had only limited clinical success. Dr. Brekken is investigating the mechanisms of resistance to anti-VEGF therapies. Using cell lines and preclinical models, Dr. Brekken will develop a genetic signature that can predict responsiveness to anti-VEGF therapy.
More Content:
Final Report
Dr. Brekken and his student Laura Sullivan have completed studies testing two anti-VEGF therapeutic antibodies in lung cancer cell lines either sensitive or responsive to the drugs. Through microarray analysis, they have identified a number of genes associated with sensitivity or resistance. Further validation of each gene is ongoing, and has led to new project ideas.
Notable Accomplishments
Dr. Brekken and his student Laura Sullivan have published two manuscripts, in the Journal of Cell Communication & Signaling and PLoS One, and attained an additional $50,000 in funding for this work.