Our program is nationally recognized by
U.S. News & World Report as
one of the best pediatric cancer programs.
Miami Children's Hospital and Research Institute has initiated pediatric neuro/oncology research as a collaborative effort between the Divisions of Pathology, Hematology/Oncology,
Bone Marrow Transplantation and Neurological Surgery. Several investigators from these departments are involved in the study and treatment of brain cancers to improve the brain cancer treatment and disease free survival.
The major focus of the program is to understand the mechanisms behind the failure of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and the reasons for the aggressiveness and invasiveness of brain tumors. The program is investigating the prognostic significance several genetic markers associated with cellular oncogenesis, drug resistance, cell proliferation, angiogenesis, differentiation and programmed cell death (apoptosis). The role of telomerase enzyme in the oncogenesis and aggressive behavior of certain brain tumors is also investigated in this research program. Alternative Medicine Projects include evaluation of the anticancer effects of curcumin and other 'natural' compounds.
Our aim is to understand the origin, diagnosis, development and differentiation of brain tumor cells during the process of carcinogenesis. Simultaneously, we plan to translate the resarch findings from evaluation of prognostic factors into the treatment of brain cancer patients.