Research

What We're Working On

Currently, the Vlashi Lab is building on the prior seminal discoveries on cancer stem cell metabolism and is interested in investigating metabolic changes induced by radiation therapy, how these changes dictate response to therapy, and how such changes can be exploited with the goal of further enhancing benefit from radiation therapy for cancer patients. Our ultimate goal is to develop novel agents against glioblastoma and pancreatic cancer. 

Exploring the intersection between tumor metabolism and radiation response for therapeutic benefit

We have recently uncovered that cancer cells, including breast cancer, glioblastoma, and pancreatic cancer cells, upregulate their glucose consumption following radiation therapy. We are therefore investigating the consequences of this surplus in glucose and whether it is protecting the cells from radiation toxicity, in different models. Stay tuned!

In collaboration with other labs in the department Dr. Vlashi’s lab is also interested in investigating radiation mitigators for the purpose of limiting radiation toxicity to normal tissue during radiation therapy, with the ultimate goal of maximizing the therapeutic index of this powerful anti-cancer treatment modality.