Research platforms

Several avenues of investigation are being explored in Dr. Quinones-Hinojosa's Brain Tumor Stem Cell Research Lab at Mayo Clinic.

Novel therapeutics for glioblastoma

New projects related to aggressive brain cancers include research on nanodrug treatments and magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound for systemic therapy:

• Nanodrug cancer treatments. Dr. Quinones-Hinojosa's lab at Mayo Clinic has developed a self-assembling nanofiber hydrogel system for local therapy of glioblastoma. The lab is investigating options for a local route of administration.
• Melatonin to enhance cancer treatments. Researchers in the Brain Tumor Stem Cell Research Lab are investigating the oncostatic effects of melatonin on glioblastoma to improve treatment and provide better quality of life for patients.

Cell migration and invasion

Projects in the Brain Tumor Stem Cell Research Lab investigate:

• Ion transporters in cell migration. Dr. Quinones-Hinojosa's lab is studying how the NKCC1 protein maneuvers the cell during migration. The lab will use its findings to develop new molecular targets for targeted cancer therapy.
• Molecular engines of tumor invasion. The Brain Tumor Stem Cell Research Lab studies genetic controls and mediators of tumor growth, invasion and migration to understand how tumors move into the healthy brain.

Cellular therapy

Dr. Quinones-Hinojosa's lab is:

• Studying the use of fat to fight cancer. The Brain Tumor Stem Cell Research Lab at Mayo Clinic engineers human mesenchymal stem cells with nanotechnology to serve as Trojan horses to treat cancer.
• Evaluating the use of surgical stem cell gel. Dr. Quinones-Hinojosa's lab is evaluating the efficacy of a gel for administering human fat-derived mesenchymal stem cells within the brain cancer resection cavity during surgery.

Models of brain and spine cancer

The lab is creating models to better understand cancer migration and progression, study invasive cell populations, and uncover novel therapeutic targets to impact tumor progression. The lab also is studying Chordoma of the spine. Dr. Quinones-Hinojosa's lab is advancing pathophysiology research and driving new therapeutic strategies with the first orthotopic animal model of human chordoma.