| The Mischel laboratory aims to transform the care of patients with glioblastoma, the most common form of brain cancer in adults, through molecular medicine. We use quantitative molecular approaches to study and understand the signaling networks that are altered in cancer cells in culture, in relevant in vivo cancer model systems and most importantly in human cancer patients. We have developed, and continue to develop, a suite of approaches for studying glioblastoma patients in state-of-the-art, moleculary guided clinical trials, with the goal of using this information to develop more effective, less toxic therapies. Our laboratory is patient-focused and greatly values interdisciplinary collaboration. |
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| 1) |
Signal Transduction in glioblastoma. In cancer, response to targeted inhibitors is determined not only be the presence of the key mutant targets, but also by other critical changes in the molecular circuitry of cancer cells; e.g. such as loss of key tumor suppressor proteins, the selection for kinase resistant mutants and the deregulation of feedback loops. Our laboratory aims to elucidate this circuitry to develop more effective treatment strategies. We have a particular interest in the EGFR/PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling network. The Mischel laboratory works very closely with Dr. Timothy Cloughesy (http://www.neurooncology.ucla.edu/) and with several research laboratories across the US and internationally. |
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Studying the impact of molecularly targeted agents in patients. Traditional pathologic methods are not sufficient for guiding molecularly targeted therapies. Our lab aims to develop quantitative molecular diagnostic to guide more effective, personalized cancer treatment. This includes new approaches for measuring signaling networks in complex heterogeneous tumor microvenvironments, including in cancer stem cells. This work leverages new nanotechnologies and physical science approaches developed in collaboration with the Heath laboratory at CalTech through the CalTech/UCLA/Institute of Systems Biology NanoSystems Biology Cancer Center (http://www.caltechcancer.org/). |
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Oncogenic signaling and altered cellular metabolism. Understanding how oncogenic signaling in cancer regulates tumor cell metabolism and developing more effective strategies for targeting it. |
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PODCASTS 
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Click Here to listen to any one of the ABC2 podcasts of Dr. Paul Mischel.
NEWS
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Mischel, Cloughesy and Heath Groups awarded a $1.5M grant from the Ben and Catherine Ivy Foundation. Click here to read more
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Paul Mischel profiled in Journal of Cell Biology
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Dr. Mischel is co-chairing along with Drs. Lynda Chin, Webster K. Cavenee and Mitchel S. Berger. The AARC special conference: Genetics and Biology of Brain Cancers – December 13-15, 2009 Click here |
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