Current Laboratory Projects
Pediatric Brain Tumor Research at the Weill-Cornell Medical College
Principal Investigator: Mark M. Souweidane, MD.
Representative Model of Infiltrative Brain Stem Tumors. Because a reliable model of an infiltrative brain tumor does not currently exist and since that model is needed to show efficacy in the laboratory a novel animal model is being designed. Through collaboration with another laboratory, we have begun to use a novel form of human-derived brain tumor cells, called tumor stem cells, as implants in small animals. These models will be compared with conventional models of animal models using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and microscopic tissue analysis.
Distribution of MAbs using Interstitial Delivery. We have investigated the distribution of the MAb, 8H9 following interstitial infusion into normal brain tissue and tissue harboring tumor implants. Ongoing work is focusing on the optimal concentration of the agent, the ideal duration of infusion, and a feasible method for detecting the agent during administration.
Toxicity and Efficacy of the Targeted Toxin, 8H9-PE38. The 8H9 molecule has been linked to genetically engineered cellular toxin, PE38, that confers a tumor killing activity to the molecule. This molecule, 8H9-PE38 is currently being used in varying concentrations to test the tolerance of normal brain tissue and to test the efficacy against human-derived brain tumor models in animals.
Toxicity of the Radiolabled MAb, 8H9-I131. Another therapeutic approach using the tumor specific 8H9 molecule is to attach a radioisotope, a molecule that is responsible for tumor cell death once. I131 is attached to the 8H9 molecule and this agent, 8H9-I131 is being locally administered in normal brain tissue by interstitial infusion to determine the tolerance of various doses.