Brain Tumor Center

Brain Tumor Center: 2011 BTC Grant Winners

The following scientists and clinicians are winners of the 2011 Memorial Sloan-Kettering brain tumor grant competition.

Pictured: Elena Bazzoli Elena Bazzoli, MD, Research Fellow, Neurology, Medicine, and Molecular Pharmacology & Chemistry Program

Project Title: MEF Promotes Stemness in the Pathogenesis of Gliomas

Pictured: Michael J. Evans Michael J. Evans, PhD, Research Fellow, Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program

Project Title: Noninvasive Measurement of PI3K Pathway Signaling with a Positron-Emitting Radiopharmaceutical that Targets the Transferrin Receptor

Pictured: Armida Fabius Armida Fabius, PhD, Research Fellow, Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program

Project Title: The role of the Parkinson's Disease-Associated Gene PARK2 in the Molecular Pathogenesis of Glioblastoma

Pictured: Jason Huse Jason T. Huse, MD, PhD, Assistant Attending, Pathology; Affiliate Member, Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program

Project Title: Characterizing the Pathophysiological Significance of Transcriptional Subclass in WHO Grade II and III Diffuse Astrocytoma

Pictured: Moritz Kircher Moritz F. Kircher, MD, PhD, Assistant Attending, Radiology

Project Title: A Novel Brain Tumor Imaging Approach Using Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

Pictured: Barbara Oldrini Barbara Oldrini, PhD, Research Fellow, Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program

Project Title: Dissecting the Mechanism of EGFR Signal Termination by the PTEN Tumor Suppressor

brain tumor (brayn TOO-mer)

The growth of abnormal cells in the tissues of the brain. Brain tumors can be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer).

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

diffuse (dih-FYOOS)

Widely spread; not localized or confined.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

EGFR

The protein found on the surface of some cells and to which epidermal growth factor binds, causing the cells to divide. It is found at abnormally high levels on the surface of many types of cancer cells, so these cells may divide excessively in the presence of epidermal growth factor. Also called epidermal growth factor receptor, ErbB1, and HER1.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

gene (jeen)

The functional and physical unit of heredity passed from parent to offspring. Genes are pieces of DNA, and most genes contain the information for making a specific protein.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

grade (grayd)

A description of a tumor based on how abnormal the cancer cells look under a microscope and how quickly the tumor is likely to grow and spread. Grading systems are different for each type of cancer.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

imaging (IH-muh-jing)

In medicine, a process that makes pictures of areas inside the body. Imaging uses methods such as x-rays (high-energy radiation), ultrasound (high-energy sound waves), and radio waves.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

medicine (MEH-dih-sin)

Refers to the practices and procedures used for the prevention, treatment, or relief of symptoms of a diseases or abnormal conditions. This term may also refer to a legal drug used for the same purpose.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

noninvasive (NON-in-VAY-siv)

In medicine, it describes a procedure that does not require inserting an instrument through the skin or into a body opening. In cancer, it describes disease that has not spread outside the tissue in which it began.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

oncology (on-KAH-loh-jee)

The study of cancer.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

pharmacology (FAR-muh-KAH-loh-jee)

The study of the origin, chemistry, and uses of drugs and their effects on the body.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

PI3K

A type of enzyme that transmits signals in cells and that helps control cell growth. Some tumors have higher-than-normal levels of PI3K. Also called phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase and PI3 kinase.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

PTEN

A protein that helps control many cell functions, including cell division and cell death. Mutations (changes) in the gene that makes PTEN are found in many types of cancer and other diseases. It is a type of tumor suppressor protein. Also called PTEN tyrosine phosphatase.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

radiopharmaceutical (RAY-dee-oh-FAR-muh-SOO-tih-kul)

A drug that contains a radioactive substance and is used to diagnose or treat disease, including cancer. Also called radioactive drug.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

tumor (TOO-mer)

An abnormal mass of tissue that results when cells divide more than they should or do not die when they should. Tumors may be benign (not cancer), or malignant (cancer). Also called neoplasm.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

WHO

A part of the United Nations that deals with major health issues around the world. The WHO sets standards for disease control, health care, and medicines; conducts education and research programs; and publishes scientific papers and reports. A major goal is to improve access to health care for people in developing countries and in groups who do not get good health care. The headquarters are located in Geneva, Switzerland. Also called World Health Organization.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)