Kunal Patel, MD

University of California, Los Angeles
$100,000 Tower Career Development Grant

Research Title:
Targeting infiltrating glioblastoma via pH sensitive visualization of tumor and pH modulation through bicarbonate transporter SLC4A4

Glioblastoma is the most common form of brain cancer. Despite treatment, most patients do not live beyond 2 years from diagnosis. The standard way to surgically remove this tumor is to use guidance from magnetic resonance imaging or MRI. However, there is evidence that what MRI shows as tumor edge is not the true tumor margin.

I have utilized a new type of MRI that identifies the pH (the acidity of a substance) to visualize these previously invisible cells. In addition, I have identified a specific receptor on the surface of these acidic cells called SLC4A4 involved in regulating the acidity of cells. I will investigate how removing these acidic cells at the margin of the tumor effects patients and if targeting this receptor can treat tumor cells by changing the tumor acidity.

For the first time, we are researching the use of pH to target glioblastoma cells in hopes to improve treatment for this deadly disease.