Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most aggressive, treatment-resistant cancers and has seen little improvement in patient survival over the past four decades. Dr. Peiwen Chen\u2019s research could uncover a powerful new strategy to overcome resistance in GBM and offer hope to patients with this deadly cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr. Chen\u2019s team uncovered that GBM tumors with mutations in the PTEN<\/em> gene or that lack the PTEN<\/em> gene entirely produce high levels of galanin (GAL). GAL is a neuropeptide that attracts immunosuppressive myeloid cells, like macrophages, microglia, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), that block effective immune responses. Cell signaling through the GAL protein receptor called GALR3 shields MDSCs from iron-dependent cell death or \u201cferroptosis\u201d, reinforcing the tumor\u2019s defenses against immunotherapy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr. Chen is now investigating the GAL-GALR3 signaling pathway to understand how it drives MDSC infiltration and survival. The ultimate goal is to block MDSC recruitment to the GBM tumor microenvironment and induce their destruction, weakening the tumor\u2019s shield and enabling anti-PD-1 immunotherapy to be effective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Glioblastoma, PTEN<\/em> mutations, myeloid cells<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Targeting ferroptosis-linked MDSCs to improve immunotherapy in PTEN<\/em>-deficient glioblastoma<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most aggressive, treatment-resistant cancers and has seen little improvement in patient survival over the past four decades. Dr. Peiwen Chen\u2019s research could uncover a powerful new […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":35665,"template":"","tax_cancer_type":[366],"tax_grant_type":[485],"tax_award_year":[742],"tax_institutions":[866],"tax_location_states":[597],"class_list":["post-35702","cri_scientists","type-cri_scientists","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"scientist_subhead":"CLIP Investigator","quote":"","scientist_last_name":"Chen","show_on_landing":true,"scientist_publish_until":"20280715"},"yoast_head":"\nResearch Focus<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Projects and Grants<\/h2>\n\n\n\n