Children’s National Medical Center, Washington DC

 

Comprehensive Protein Analysis (Proteomic Profiling) of Pediatric Brainstem Gliomas using Paraffin Embedded Tissues

Purpose: Identify the protein profile of pediatric brainstem glioma using paraffin embedded tissues and the published proteomics techniques established in our laboratory to discover tumor-specific biomarkers for the development of novel treatments for this disease.

Eligibility: Pediatric brainstem glioma with available tissue (biopsy or autopsy)

Targeted therapy for pediatric brainstem glioma has been hindered by the lack of information about the molecular make-up of this disease.  In particular, the critical proteins that carry out the genetic instructions of the tumor to promote its growth and survival are unknown. 

Recently, we established methodologies to analyze the comprehensive protein profiles (proteomics) of archived paraffin embedded tissues.   The results of our pilot study using paraffin embedded brainstem glioma tissues were published in 2008 in the journal Proteomics-Clinical Applications (click here for a link to the article). We hope to expand this information by collecting more brainstem glioma tissues in order to identify the critical tumor-specific proteins that may targeted by drug therapies.

Please ask your physician if these tissues are available or how you can donate to this study.      

Tobey J. MacDonald, M.D.
Director, Neuro-Oncology Program
Division of Oncology, Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders
Center for Cancer and Immunology Research,
Children's National Medical Center
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences
Phone: 202-476-2146
Fax: 202-476-5685
tmacdona@cnmc.org

 

Javad Nazarian, Ph.D.
Center for Gentic Medicine Research
Children’s Research Institute
Children's National Medical Center,
111 Michigan Av., NW
Washington DC, 20010
JNazarian@CNMCResearch.org

Last update Dec. 18, 2008