Dr. Lisa Porter
University of Windsor
FUNDER: Supported by the Cancer Research Collaboration Fund and Play for a Cure held at the WindsorEssex Community Foundation
DURATION: 2025-2026
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive adult brain cancer, with most patients experiencing recurrence and resistance to standard treatments. A key driver of this resistance is a subset of tumour cells known as glioma stem cells (GSCs), which can adapt and survive therapy. This project uses a unique patient-derived GBM research platform to understand how GSCs regulate their cell cycle, change “stemness states,” and evade treatment. By focusing on a critical cell cycle regulator, CDK2, and its atypical activator Spy1, the team will explore ways to disrupt these resistance mechanisms. The findings will guide the development of new strategies to make GBM more responsive to standard therapies and emerging treatments.
This work will reveal how targeting specific cell cycle pathways can overcome GBM’s notorious drug resistance. Insights from this study could lead to more effective, personalized treatment strategies for patients facing this devastating disease.
Co-Applicants:
Henry Ford Hospital
Ontario Institute for Cancer Research
Collaborators:
Cincinatti Children's Hospital Medical Center
OncoBridge Bio
University of Buffalo
University of Minnesota
University of Windsor
Windsor Regional Hospital
Varonova Tech Inc.