Yang (Ted) D Teng
Harvard Medical School, USA
Title: Therapeutic target identification by genetically engineered human neural stem cells in a spinal cord glioblastoma model
Biography
Biography: Yang (Ted) D Teng
Abstract
We recently established a rodent model of intramedullary cervical spinal cord glioblastoma (ISCG). The system for the first time emulated both somatomotosensory disorders and autonomic dysfunctions of this deadly disease. Using genetically engineered human neural stem cells (hNSCs) that were capable to track and migrate towards the cancer cells we have determined a subpopulation of ISCG cells that are crucial for the tumor survival and could be targeted by therapeutic hNSCs that exerted a localized oncolytic effect. Importantly, the data also illuminated host spinal cord cellular and network components that should be preserved to maximize residual neural function in order to benefit extension of survival. Overall, our findings demonstrated a stem cellbased multimodal approach to developing targeted glioblastoma treatment. Such a strategy can be further optimized for its comprehensive efficacy via a simultaneous application of targeted neuroprotection treatment to sustain neurological function.