Overview
The Spine Oncology Laboratory led by Oluwaseun O. Akinduro, M.D., studies tumors that grow in and around the spine. This includes rare cancers called chordomas and cancer that has spread to the spine from other parts of the body.
The lab's goal is to understand why these tumors are so hard to treat and find better, less toxic therapies for patients who have few or no options today.
Why this research matters
Chordoma is one of the most challenging bone tumors of the spine. It comes back in most patients after treatment, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved no medications developed specifically to treat it. Spine metastases, which occur when cancer has spread to the spine, affect hundreds of thousands of Americans each year. These tumors can cause paralysis, severe pain and loss of independence.
Radiation therapy is a critical tool for treating spine tumors, but many tumors resist it. The lab's research focuses on understanding why tumors become resistant to radiation and how to make radiation work better with fewer side effects for patients.
How this research benefits patients
Our research is designed to move directly from the lab into clinical practice. By understanding the biology of chordoma and other spine tumors at a molecular level, we aim to identify medications that target the specific weaknesses of each tumor. We also seek to combine those medications with radiation in smarter, less toxic ways.
Mayo Clinic's Florida campus is home to the first carbon ion radiotherapy center in North America. This highly precise form of radiation is particularly effective for radioresistant spine tumors. Our lab's research directly supports the development of treatment protocols for this new technology, giving our patients access to some of the most advanced cancer care in the world.
Affiliated programs and collaborations
The Spine Oncology Lab works closely with programs across Mayo Clinic and beyond:
Mayo Clinic
External
- AO Spine Knowledge Forum Tumor (international spine oncology research network)
- Chordoma Foundation
- Collaborative research network in Ilorin, Nigeria (access to spine tumor care and outcomes)