Basic Research

Gayle Woloschak, PhD, professor of radiation oncology, heads a laboratory of researchers who are investigating the three main topics that follow.

DNA-TiO2 nanoparticles

The researchers have combined the functional properties of the biomolecule DNA and the inorganic compound TiO2. The project is oriented to investigating the functional use of these nanocomposites for intracellular manipulation, imaging, and gene silencing.

Radiosensitivity/motor neuron disease

The project's purpose is to better understand the molecular basis for the combined abnormalities from a molecular-cellular perspective. Chipbased mRNA studies, gene promotoer analyses, immunohistochemistry, and standard molecular approaches are being used.

Radiation-induced mutations in radiation-induced cancers

The researchers are studying mice and dog tissues that have been exposed to varying doses, dose-rates, and qualities of ionizing radiation. They are analyzing lymphomas from these tissues to find differences in mutational spectra that occur in tumors induced in radiation-exposed animals compared to those that occur in spontaneous tumors.

Cross-Department Collaborations

Ongoing collaborations with the Department of Radiology (at the medical school) and the Department of Chemistry at Northwestern are exploring methods for imaging and image-guided therapy. The department has also collaborated with the Department of Pathology to study the elemental contents of cancer tissues using the advanced Photon Source and Chemistry Division at Argonne National Laboratory. Other areas, such as nuclear medicine, surgical oncology, and medical oncology participate actively with the department in both patient care and research.

Clinical/Translational Research

Clinical faculty are funded for research projects through several entities, including the National Institutes of Health, drug companies, and National Cooperative Trial Groups. The latter include the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group, the Children's Oncology Group, the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, and the Gynecologic Oncology Group. Some of the intramural studies being conducted include those that follow.

-- Use of intensity-modulated radiation therapy in oropharyngeal dysfunction in head and neck cancer patients

-- Gemcitabine, bevacizumab and radiation combined use in patients with pancreatic cancer

-- Deep hyperthermia for treating prostate cancers and other pelvic malignancies

-- Use of total nodal irradiation in Hodgkin's disease for bone-marrow transplant patients

-- Phase II trial of Oxaliplatin and Capcitabine for esophageal cancer patients

-- Use of Pulmozyme in head and neck cancer

-- Use of the photon radiosurgery system for pediatric brain tumors

-- Participate in an international trial using deep hyperthermia in cervical cancer.

For more information: http://www.cro.lurie.northwestern.edu/