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What is the context of this research?

Developing a biomarker that detects the presence of GBM is the first step in developing new cures for these patients. A challenge in the GBM field is the lack of information pertaining to alternative FDA-approved therapeutics that could be used to treat GBM patients. The Institute is solving this by utilizing noncoding RNA expression profiles to assess which gene pathways are altered in individual GBM patients.

This proposal is a validation study to obtain data on noncoding RNAs already identified to play a role in tumorigenesis. The Institute is focused on circRNAs, a type of noncoding RNA detected in the late 70’s after the discovery of viroids. The Institute will elucidate whether certain circRNAs are present in GBM specimens, and will assess how these RNAs contribute to disease.

What is the significance of this project?

Developing a treatment for GBM patients that significantly increases longevity is critically needed. The development of reliable biomarkers that allow clinicians to make informed decisions regarding the care and treatment of their patients is desperately needed. The Institute launched this project because our survey indicated engaging both the scientific and GBM community directly would foster the most innovative and promising research in the field.

This proposal is unique in that it is entirely crowdfunded. Donor feedback and support is encouraged and scientific updates will be provided to donors as “Milestones”. Also at the end of the study, donors will be able to access published datasets and articles to better inform the scientific and GBM communities on ways to end brain cancer.

What are the goals of the project?

Goal 1: Expression analysis of candidate circRNAs in neuronal cultures and glioblastoma cell lines will be performed via PCR, to determine circRNA abundance within various RNA isolates.

Goal 2: Expression analysis of candidate circRNAs in clinical samples, including normal brain tissue, GBM tissue, and GBM patient serum, will be performed via PCR to validate these circRNAs as GBM biomarkers.

Goal 3: circRNA profiles will be linked to individual histopathology assessments and clinical outcomes (i.e., overall survival), to develop these circRNAs into prognostic biomarkers.

Goal 4: Results of the project including summaries and datasets will be made available to donors. Results will serve as pilot data for future grant applications.