ABOUT OUR WORK
Our Projects
Glioblastoma is a devastating disease that currently carries a median survival of 21 months, largely due to the therapeutic resistance and universal recurrence of the tumor. At the Ahmed Lab, our goal is to study the mechanisms of tumor progression in order to develop novel and creative therapeutic strategies.
There is a growing body of evidence that points to cancer stem cells (CSCs) as being a major driver behind aggressiveness and recurrence of GBM. Our lab studies mechanisms of CSC expansion ito create targeted therapies against CSCs.
Study Cancer Stem Cells
It is known that GBM up-regulates certain genes and pathways in order to proliferate and survive in unfavorable environments. We are working on multiple projects to understand what genetic factors drive primary GBM to be so aggressive,
Investigate Genetic Drivers
One of the biggest challenges in GBM is the fact that it has a 100% recurrence rate. We have multiple ongoing projects investigating genetic and epigenetic changes after TMZ therapy in order to identify novel targetable mechanisms.
Understand Recurrent GBM
Funding & Affiliations
We are currently funded by R01s awarded through the NIH/NINDS, an R35 and a SPORE grant awarded through NIH/NCI, and a grant through the American Cancer Institute.
We are proud members of the Malnati Brain Tumor Institute at Northwestern, a group of researchers and physicians committed to finding and providing the best treatment options for brain and spine tumors.