Pedro Lowenstein, M.D., Ph.D.

Dr. Lowenstein’s research program focuses on discovering the cellular, molecular, and mathematical basis underlying the growth patterns of malignant brain tumors and the interactions between cancer cells with the tumor microenvironment in both experimental models and human patients. Another focus of his research program aims to harness the new information obtained on the mechanisms of tumor growth for therapeutic intent. Specifically, he will utilize nanoparticles targeted to peri-tumoral blood vessels to block GBM invasion. Recent work discovered that rodent and human glioma cells and glioma stem cells disperse from the primary tumor inoculum by growing along peri-tumoral blood vessels. We predict that eliminating the vessels which support GBM growth and invasion will elicit long-term survival of the tumor-bearing animal. Thus, this approach could become a future therapy for GBM. The long-term goal will be to translate this strategy into early phase clinical trials. In this regard, the FDA approved Dr. Lowenstein’s pioneering work in gene therapy for glioblastoma multiforme. A Phase I clinical trial using two adenoviral vectors (expressing HSV1-TK and Flt3L), has been recently completed and is currently being written up for publication