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research Researcher stays connected to a personal cause against cancer Sheri Holmen, PhD, was studying biology in college when her mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. "That is what pushed me into studying cancer," she said. Today she runs a lab as a junior investigator at the Van Andel Research Institute in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with funding from the American Cancer Society.  She works on glioblastoma mulitforme (GBM), tumors that originate in the brain. GBMs are the most common of brain tumors and the most fatal. This type of cancer does not respond to surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy and, unfortunately, there has been little progress in treating it in the past 20 years. "There’s really no cure," she explained.The research With her research team, Sheri (pictured right) is trying to develop new GBM treatments. Her strategy is to discover what feeds the tumor and then find a way to cut off that food supply. "We’re trying to find treatments that someone can take, just a pill for example, that only affects the tumors. We have to figure out what causes the tumor in the first place and what the tumor is dependent on." Once it is known which molecular targets need to be attacked, her team can develop specific and effective treatments. Sheri’s team has already made significant progress by identifying a target which causes the tumor to retreat when blocked. "In our model we developed a cure," she said. The next step is to identify additional targets so that the tumors will not have a chance to become resistant to one therapy and return. "I’m very optimistic that we’re going to find some combinations and treatment strategies that are going to be directly crossed over in the clinic and start with clinical trials," she said of her project. Staying connected Meanwhile, Sheri stays connected to her personal drive for research by talking to brain tumor support groups, clinical trial patients, and her mother. Sheri’s mother has been battling the disease with different types of cancer for 14 years. "It’s because of advancements in new treatments that she has been able to beat this thing over and over again," said Sheri. She also speaks publicly about her project at community events. "When you’re passionate about something, it’s pretty easy to get up there and convey that to everybody. I will be in cancer research for my entire career," she said. Her next presentation will be at the American Cancer Society’s Great Lakes Cancer Symposium on October 16, held at the Van Andel Research Institute this year. After speaking at her local Relay For Life event, Sheri was inspired to join a team with her daughter’s elementary school. Her favorite part is the luminaria ceremony, remembering the people that have been lost to cancer, and knowing that her team is working hard to increase survival for all those that are diagnosed. Her Society grant will continue until 2010. During this time, she plans to make a difference in GBM treatment and, consequently, all tumor treatment. "We really feel that the discoveries that we make in glioblastoma can be applicable to a lot of other tumor types," she said. "I think we’re going to make a lot of progress." | |
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