Our aim is to characterize the tumor stroma in Glioblastoma (GBM), the most aggressive and treatment-resistant brain tumor. We were the first in the world to report the recruitment of endogenous Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in glioma (Behnan et al. Stem Cells, 2014) and characterize the mesenchymal subtype in GBM patients (Behnan et al. Oncogene, 2017). Our observation indicated that the Mesenchymal subtype is divided into two subgroups, one induced by recruited cells and microenvironment, and another tumor cell per se expressing Mesenchymal properties suggesting brain derived MSCs/perivascular cells as the origin of the tumor origin (Behnan et al. Brain 2019; Behnan et al. Oncogene, 2017).
Our particular focus is on understanding the biology of recruited noncancerous cells to the tumor, mainly primarily the immune cells and mesenchymal stem cells/perivascular progenitors in different GBM subtypes, and to. Define the origin of different recruited cell population, and its interaction with cancerous cells to solve the complexity and heterogeneity of this devastating tumors. Simultaneously, we are working on establishing a translational therapeutic treatment for GBM through combining immunotherapy with other target therapy to change the immunosuppressive microenvironment and eradicate cancer cells. With our extensive knowledge in human Glioma stem cells (Behnan et al. Sci Rep, 2016), we aim to establish drug screening library to test the specificity of drug response among different GBM subtypes. We will be using immune competent glioma mouse models, transgenic models utilizing different techniques including flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, 2 photon microscopy, low threshold ultrasound. We are looking for collaborative integrative approaches with other investigators to reach innovative treatment and achieve our ultimate goal in finding treatment for brain tumor patients.
Behnan Lab: Tumor Stroma
I have more than 12-years’ experience in the glioma field. I did my Postdoc in the Ernfors' lab at the Karolinska Institute, Sweden. I obtained a PhD in Tumor Biology from Oslo University, Norway. I graduated from Research School in Stem Cell Biology, Lund Stem Cell Centre, Sweden, and I had Master degree in Biomedicine, Sweden. I have broad expertise in tumor stroma, preclinical trials in immunotherapy, working with epileptic and glioma patient samples and using different techniques ex. animal surgery, small animal irradiation, vaccination, Flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, and establishing primary cell culture from different human and mouse tissue. I am the leading and corresponding author on 5 of my publications. I’m serving as referee for high quality peer-reviewed journals (Brain, Stem Cells, Cancer Research, NeurOncology etc).
As well, I have experience in advancing anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer treatments into clinical trials. I was awarded Marie Curie Fellowship 2019.
Publications
Publication 1