One of the major obstacles to effectively treating central nervous system (CNS) tumors is the integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The BBB prevents systemic drug delivery from reaching the brain and brain tumor tissue. While previous studies have focused on circumventing the BBB, suing direct tumor delivery, very few agents or mechanisms to modulate the tumor microenvironment to enhance effective therapies for CNS brain tumors. Dr. Sadhana Jackson’s studies focus on understanding the heterogeneity of BBB permeability amongst malignant pediatric brain tumors. Her laboratory and clinical studies pertain to comprehensive evaluation of BBB biology, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics involved in relation to optimal CNS drug delivery.
Lab Members:
- Amelie Vezina, PhD, Post-Doctoral Visiting Fellow
- Crystal Burgess, Post-Baccalaureate IRTA
- Brandon Foster, Post-Baccalaureate IRTA
Selected Publications:
- Model systems for studying the blood-brain barrier: Applications and challenges. Jackson S, Meeks C, Vézina A, Robey RW, Tanner K, Gottesman MM. Biomaterials. 2019 Sep;214:119217. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2019.05.028. Epub 2019 May 18. Review.
- The effect of an adenosine A2A agonist on intra-tumoral concentrations of temozolomide in patients with recurrent glioblastoma. Jackson S, Weingart J, Nduom EK, Harfi TT, George RT, McAreavey D, Ye X, Anders NM, Peer C, Figg WD, Gilbert M, Rudek MA, Grossman SA. Fluids Barriers CNS. 2018 Jan 15;15(1):2. doi: 10.1186/s12987-017-0088-8
- Targeting WNT Signaling for Multifaceted Glioblastoma Therapy. McCord M, Mukouyama YS, Gilbert MR, Jackson S. Front Cell Neurosci. 2017 Oct 13;11:318. doi: 10.3389/fncel.2017.00318. eCollection 2017. Review.
- The effect of regadenoson on the integrity of the human blood-brain barrier, a pilot study. Jackson S, George RT, Lodge MA, Piotrowski A, Wahl RL, Gujar SK, Grossman SA. J Neurooncol. 2017 May;132(3):513-519. doi: 10.1007/s11060-017-2404-1. Epub 2017 Mar 17.
- The effect of regadenoson-induced transient disruption of the blood-brain barrier on temozolomide delivery to normal rat brain. Jackson S, Anders NM, Mangraviti A, Wanjiku TM, Sankey EW, Liu A, Brem H, Tyler B, Rudek MA, Grossman SA. J Neurooncol. 2016 Feb;126(3):433-9. doi: 10.1007/s11060-015-1998-4. Epub 2015 Dec 1.