Grant: Canada Postdoctoral Research Award (CPRA) program

Brain cancer research often focuses on studying tumor cells in isolation, but these cells interact with their surrounding environment, influencing their growth and response to treatment. This project aims to understand how Group 3 medulloblastoma (G3 MB), an aggressive childhood brain tumour, communicates with nearby blood vessel cells to promote tumor progression. G3 MB is a highly malignant brain tumor that spreads through the spinal cord and has a poor survival rate. Recent research suggests that tumor cells grow near immature blood vessels, forming a specialized environment that helps them maintain their aggressive, stem-like state. The tumor produces high levels of glutamate, a key brain metabolite, which may activate receptors on blood vessel cells, triggering the release of signals that support tumor growth. However, this process remains poorly understood. This study will investigate how tumor-derived glutamate interacts with blood vessel cells and whether blocking this communication can slow tumor progression. Using advanced cell and animal models, genetic modifications, and drug screening, we will identify new treatment strategies. Findings from this work could lead to the development of novel therapies that target tumor-blood vessel interactions, offering hope for improved outcomes in children with this devastating disease.