Research Outcomes

Below are summaries of some of the outcomes discovered as a result of brain tumour research funded through the annual brain tumour research grant program.

Topic: Multi-Modality Radiation Treatment Planning for Malignant Glioma

This project was investigated by Dr. Glenn Bauman as the result of a 2006 Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada Research Grant

This clinical study aims to identify potentially biologically significant tumour sub-volumes based on imaging of brain tumour metabolism, tumour perfusion and tumour hypoxia by correlating the volumes with sites of eventual tumour relapse in the brain after conventional radiation therapy. By doing so, Dr. Bauman hopes to gain insight as to whether functional imaging (18-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography, FDG-PET and/or dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography, DCE-CT) can provide clinically important information that could improve radiation treatment for patients with malignant glioma.

The research team is working towards this goal by using these functional images to identify tumour regions that are more likely to resist conventional therapy. Preliminary results of this study demonstrate that DCE-CT coupled with FDG-PET can identify hypoxic tumour cores. A tumour region with high metabolism coupled with low blood flow may potentially serve as the target for more intensive RT via stereotactic RT boost or systematic therapy.

Dr. Glenn Bauman is Radiation Oncologist and Chair/Chief of Oncology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at The University of Western
 

Topic: Medically Refractory Epilepsy Associated with Oligodendroglioma

This project was investigated by Dr. Seyed M. Mirssattari as the result of a 2007 Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada Research Grant. 

The main objective of this research was to quantify refractory epilepsy in patients with oligodendrogliomas, in order to identify prognostic factors of refractory epilepsy, and provide optimal seizure treatment.

Upon completion of research this study showed that populations with oligodendrogliomas, Dr. Mirssattari found that medically refractory epilepsy occurred in 41.6% of patients. Common features amongst medically refractory patients include: extra-temporal lobe involvement, MRI enhancement, partial seizures and spikes/seizures on the EEG. Researchers indicate that with continual research, it may be possible to link these quantitative features with development of refractory epilepsy

Dr. Mirssattari  is Assistant Professor Depts of Clinical Neurosciences, Medical Biophysics, Psychology, Diagnostic Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre. 
 

Topic: Characterization of nanoparticle delivery across the blood-brain barrier

This project was investigated by Dr. James Rutka as the result of a 2009 Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada Research Grant.

The main objective of this research was to create a new therapeutic approach capable of targeting migrating cells that are often protected behind an intact blood-brain barrier.

Over the past two years while conducting this research, the data revealed a near linear kinetic profile with size-dependent transport and provided the size range in which to test the delivery of nanoparticle preparations within in vivo mouse models. Although the initial hopes of a passive delivery across the blood-brain barrier were not realized, Dr. Rutka was encouraged by results obtained during preliminary experiments with focused ultrasound. Therefore, he is now proceeding with experiments that incorporate ultrasound pre-treatment prior to therapeutic delivery.

Dr. Rutka is Professor, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto; Chairman of the Department of Surgery, University of Toronto; Co-director of the Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, Hospital for Sick Children.

Topic: “Determination of the methylation status of different regions within Glioblastoma Multiforme and it’s relevance to treatment outcome

This topic was researched by Dr. Mark Hamilton in Calgary, Alberta as a result of a 2008 Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada Research Grant. The research was completed in 2010.

The study showed that methylation status was consistent throughout the Glioblastoma tumour but methylation status varied depending if the DNA was extracted from paraffin-embedded versus frozen tissue, which was found concerning. Although the reason for this is unclear, they postulate that the timing from resection to fixation or the process of fixation itself may potentially alter methylation status in paraffin-embedded tumours. This has important implications if methylation status is to be used for clinical decision-making.

Dr Hamilton is Associate Professor of Neurosurgery in the Department of Clinical Neurosciences University of Calgary; Chief, Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery Alberta Children's Hospital and Director of Neurosurgical Oncology and Director of the Adult Hydrocephalus Program Foothills Hospital.

Topic: Evaluation of biomarkers in relation to recurrence rate in childhood ependymoma

This research was conducted by Dr. Juliette Hukin in Vancouver, BC as the result of a 2007 Research Grant from Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada.

The main purpose of this research was to use banked tumour tissues to identify molecular and cellular biomarkers that will help to predict which tumours are likely to behave more aggressively or to respond to radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. Results from Dr. Hukin's research indicated that EGFR is prognostic of poor survival in childhood ependymoma. Positive EGFR may be limited to PF location. There was no predictive value with YB-1 or HER-2 alone.

Dr. Hukin is Clinical Associate Professor, Director of the Neuro-Oncology program at BC Children's Hospital in Vancouver, BC.

Topic: Determination of Human Brain Tumour Therapy Response using an Ex Vivo Assay – A Potential Step toward Individualized Treatment

Dr. Penny Costello in London, Ontario, received a 2005 Research Grant from Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada to conduct this innovative research.

The main goal of this project was to test individual patient tumours with existing and newly developed therapeutic treatment modalities in a well-established model of invasion and growth. Results from Dr. Costello's research indicated that individual response to chemotherapy is highly variable both clinically and in the ex vivo assessment. Pre-screening responsiveness to chemotherapies could lead to more individualized and more effective treatment of brain tumours.

To learn more about how Dr. Costello's work is making a difference in the lives of cancer patients, please visit her new company's website: http://www.oncoscreen.org/.

Dr. Costello is Adjunct Professor, Department of Pathology the University of Western Ontario and Co-Founder of Onco-Screen Inc. at the London Health Sciences Centre – South Street Hospital.

Topic: Expression of angiopoietins 1 and 2 as indicators of angiogenesis in brain tumours

This topic was researched by Dr. Robert Hammond in London, Ontario as the result of a 2004 Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada Research Grant.

The main objective of this research was to study patterns of angiopoietin expression associated with certain tumour types and grades and their ability to respond to particular treatment protocols.

Upon completion of research it was found that from 18 human glioma specimens varying in type Immunohistochemistry was used to identify and qualify Ang-1 and Ang-2 protein expressions. Both rtPCR and immunohistochemistry revealed an increase in Ang-2 expression correlating with increasing tumour grade. Ang-1 protein expression was also significantly increased in glioblastomas in comparison to oligodendrogliomas and anaplastic oligodendrogliomas.

Dr. Hammond is Associate Professor, University of Western Ontario, Neuropathologist, London Health Sciences Centre, received a 2004 Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada Research Grant.

Topic: Molecular Genetic Analysis of Tumour Progression in Oliogodendrogliomas

This research was conducted by Dr. Brian Thiessen in Vancouver, BC, thanks to a 2004 research grant from Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada.

The main objective of his research was to identify the key molecular alterations that underscore tumour progression and treatment-refractory behaviour in oliogodendrogliomas.

Dr. Brian Thiessen is a Clinical Assistant Professor, Division of Neurology at Vancouver General Hospital and the Department of Medical Oncology, BC Cancer Agency.

Topic: Metabolic imaging of human malignant gliomas using 4.0 tesla magnetic resonance spectroscopy

One of the first research grants awarded through the Annual Grant program was for this reseach conducted by Chris Watling at the London Regional Cancer Centre in London, Ontario.

Research findings from this project were published in the American Journal of Neuroradiology in March 2008. The study concluded that Low-grade glioma was characterized with low levels of NAA and Glu, high levels of mIns, and high levels of 23Na, whereas the ratio of NAA/23Na most clearly differentiated glioma tissue from normal tissue. To view the article in full published by Dr. Robert Bartha, Dr. Chris Watling, & Dr. Joseph Megyesi, click here.