Dimitrios Mathios, MD
Analyzing Brain Tumors to Create a Noninvasive Early Detection Tool
Summary
Brain cancer is a devastating and deadly disease, with about 23,000 new patients and 18,000 deaths each year. Earlier identification and assessment of brain tumors when they are smaller and asymptomatic could better guide treatment decisions and eventually lead to improved outcomes. My research focuses on molecular analyses of brain tumors, with the goal of using information from tumor analyses to improve cancer detection through a simple blood draw. Up until recently, blood tests to detect brain cancer were largely unsuccessful, as very little DNA from these tumors is shed in the blood due to the presence of a barrier between the brain and the bloodstream. However, new DNA sequencing technologies can more accurately and efficiently characterize the broad array of genetic and epigenetic changes occurring in the cancer genomes and thus can be used to profile the circulating DNA in the blood. My research leverages these technological advancements and the enhanced ability of artificial intelligence to identify patterns of molecular changes that differentiate patients with brain tumors from those without one. With this research, we hope to further enhance our ability to accurately detect brain tumors and provide molecular information about the tumor itself without the need for an invasive brain biopsy.
Watch a Q&A with Dimitrios
This award gives me the necessary resources to further my research efforts toward the development of novel liquid biopsy approaches for brain tumors. This recognition of my research potential and monetary support will be crucial for further development of my research program.
