This is a request for funding for a Feasibility Grant to enable us to develop a Brain Tumor Research Center. Five research Projects and 2 Core units are proposed. Our initial goal is to explore the molecular biological determinants of tumorigenesis in primary brain tumors emphasizing a comparison between pediatric and adult conditions. The proposed research, utilizing our unique pediatric brain tumor tissue resource, may allow us to identify the earliest events that promote malignant transformation. Project 1 will determine whether germinal mutations of the tumor suppressor gene p53 are implicated in the pathogenesis of brain tumors in 3 genetically high risk patient groups - familial cancer, multiple primary neoplasms and congenital tumors. Project 2 will explore the role of mutations of dominant and recessive regulators of Myc expression in tumorigenesis and malignant transformation. Project 3 will correlate growth factor and growth factor receptor expression with clinical parameters in astrocytomas and PNET's. Project 4 will relate the expression of cell surface molecules (cell adhesion, extracellular matrix and glycolipids) with patterns of metastasis (intra-axial vs. leptomeningeal) and survival in astrocytomas and PNET's. Project 5 will examine methods of augmenting host cellular immune function and increasing tumor antigenicity to extend the promising IL-2/LAK clinical brain tumor trials at NYU. The 2 Core Units, 9001 Patient Registry and Data Base, and 9002 Tumor Bank will promote the clinical applications of the Projects. Our long term goal is to establish a Center which facilitates clinical and basic science interactions to improve methods of diagnosis and treatment of patients with primary brain and spinal cord tumors.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Exploratory Grants (P20)
Project #
5P20NS031088-03
Application #
2269056
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (SRC (44))
Project Start
1992-09-01
Project End
1995-08-31
Budget Start
1994-09-01
Budget End
1995-08-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
1994
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
New York University
Department
Neurology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
004514360
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10012
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Zagzag, D; Friedlander, D R; Dosik, J et al. (1996) Tenascin-C expression by angiogenic vessels in human astrocytomas and by human brain endothelial cells in vitro. Cancer Res 56:182-9
Zagzag, D (1995) Angiogenic growth factors in neural embryogenesis and neoplasia. Am J Pathol 146:293-309
Zagzag, D; Friedlander, D R; Miller, D C et al. (1995) Tenascin expression in astrocytomas correlates with angiogenesis. Cancer Res 55:907-14
Cordon-Cardo, C; Dalbagni, G; Saez, G T et al. (1994) p53 mutations in human bladder cancer: genotypic versus phenotypic patterns. Int J Cancer 56:347-53