SUMMARY
Evanthia Galanis, M.D., is an internationally recognized expert in neuro-oncology and a clinician-investigator with a long-standing interest in developing novel therapeutic approaches for cancer.
Dr. Galanis' practice-changing clinical research includes multiple national phase 2 and randomized phase 2/3 clinical trials of novel therapeutics for primary brain tumors and brain metastases. These trials include some of the first individualized medicine trials in neuro-oncology through the North Central Cancer Treatment Group and the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology.
Dr. Galanis' research laboratory is developing and optimizing novel immunovirotherapy treatment approaches. Dr. Galanis is testing several strategies, including:
- Therapeutic transgenes.
- Trackable markers.
- Combinations with small molecules, cytotoxic agents and radiation therapy.
- Retargeting of viral strains against tumor-specific antigens.
- Development of novel viral delivery approaches.
- Exploration of immunomodulatory methods to modify humoral and innate immunity to optimize virotherapy efficacy.
- Viral engineering to enhance proinflammatory remodeling of the tumor microenvironment.
A significant impetus for Dr. Galanis' research has been the translation of laboratory advances into clinical trials of novel therapeutics for people with cancer.
Dr. Galanis served as the principal investigator in multiple phase 1 and 2 immunovirotherapy trials for ovarian cancer, glioblastoma, renal cell carcinoma, colorectal cancer, melanoma, hepatocellular carcinoma and other solid tumors. She also spearheaded the clinical translation of measles derivatives and their first human testing in people with ovarian cancer, breast cancer and brain tumors. In addition, she led the first human use of live cell carriers for oncolytic virus delivery.
Dr. Galanis has a special research interest in clinical trial end points and innovative trial designs. Her work has received support from the National Cancer Institute. Dr. Galanis has been involved as a project leader in several Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPORE) grants at Mayo Clinic, including SPOREs for brain cancer, ovarian cancer and breast cancer. She is a co-principal investigator of the Center of Innovation for Brain Tumor Therapeutics at Mayo Clinic under the Glioblastoma Therapeutics Network (GTN).
Focus areas
- Developing novel therapeutic approaches for brain tumors. Dr. Galanis and her team have developed and tested in clinical trials a number of novel therapeutic approaches for both brain metastases and primary brain tumors, including glioma, meningioma and craniopharyngioma.
- Engineering oncolytic viruses. Dr. Galanis is testing the activity of oncolytic measles virus derivatives in preclinical tumor models, with emphasis on gliomas, breast cancer, ovarian cancer and sarcomas. A special focus of her laboratory is retargeting oncolytic viruses against tumor-specific antigens and viral engineering to express therapeutic and immunomodulatory transgenes.
- Optimizing efficacy of oncolytic virotherapy. Dr. Galanis' team is focusing on testing novel viral delivery approaches, such as cell-mediated delivery, in preclinical models and immunomodulatory strategies to develop effective immunovirotherapy approaches.
- Translating promising immunovirotherapy strategies to the clinic. A significant area of work is the bench-to-bedside translation of novel transgenes, vector systems and oncolytic viruses to first-in-human trials as a bridge to clinical practice.
Significance to patient care
Dr. Galanis wants to find new and better ways to treat different types of solid tumors and create individual treatment plans that help each person have the best outcome.
Professional highlights
- Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology:
- Group chair, 2023-present.
- Chair, Neuro-Oncology Committee, 2011-2023.
- Mayo Clinic:
- Executive Dean of Development, 2019-present.
- The Sandra J. Schulze Professor, 2013-present.
- Distinguished Investigator Award, 2020.
- Leader, Gene and Virus Therapy Program, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, 2012-2020.
- Chair, Department of Molecular Medicine, 2009-2019.
- Co-chair, Brain Metastasis and Glioblastoma Interest Group, National Cancer Institute, 2015-present.
- Society for Neuro-Oncology:
- President, 2025-2027.
- President-elect, 2023-2025.
- Victor Levin Award and Lecture in Neuro-Oncology Research, 2023.
- Secretary/treasurer, 2013-2015.
- Consultant, Cellular, Tissue and Gene Therapies Advisory Committee, Food and Drug Administration, 2009-2015; 2019-2023.
- U.S. lead, Rare Brain Cancer Group, International Rare Cancers Initiative, 2011-2017.
- Elected member, American Society for Clinical Investigation, 2011.