Xueqin Sun, PhD

Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most common and deadly brain cancers, and survival rates have barely improved in decades. In our research, we found a hidden weakness in GBM tumors that could lead to a new treatment. Think of p53 as the body’s security guard that protects against cancer. But in about 71% of GBM tumors, another protein called BRD8 locks up this guard so it can’t do its job. We discovered a way to break apart BRD8 with new drugs, which could free p53 and let it fight the cancer again. We will test this approach using lab-grown GBM cells and mini-brain tumor models created from patient samples. Our approach could help develop new therapeutic strategies for patients facing this devastating disease.