Microscopy image of a neuron. Image credit: Leterrier, NeuroCyto Lab, INP, Marseille, France.

The Glial Tumor Neuroscience Program

The Glial Tumor Neuroscience Program (GTNP) is a coalition of interdisciplinary investigators dedicated to improving glioma therapies and treatments for post-acute survivorship.

Crosstalk between glioma cells and neurons is an untapped therapeutic target poised to have a significant impact on neuro-oncology. The GTNP was formed by philanthropists Tom and Aimee Paquin to bridge basic neuroscience and translational glioma research to ultimately provide longer survival and better quality of life for patients with low and high-grade gliomas.

GTNP will support novel research focused on understanding how brain activity controls glioma initiation and progression. The program will provide opportunities to recruit basic science and translational research investigators as well as train the next generation of scientific leaders. By providing the necessary infrastructure and personnel support to design and conduct clinical research efforts, GTNP will also allow for the translation of the research discoveries to the clinic.

To support this program at UCSF, visit makeagift.ucsf.edu/GTNP. To make a a gift via wire transfer or a gift of stocks, mutual funds or other securities, please contact Meredith Marschak at Meredith.Marschak@ucsf.edu

Tom Paquin Brain Tumor Research Project

Brain cancers remodel neural circuits. This first project under the GTNP seeks to understand neuronal activity-dependent tumor growth and offer novel treatments for glioblastoma.

Aims:

  • Aim 1: Test a new drug blocking glioma-neuron connections (gabapentin) in preclinical models
  • Aim 2: Identify biomarkers of drug response
  • Aim 3: Understand drug resistance
  • Aim 4: Apply the therapy in humans

 

Publications

Krishna, S. et al (2023). Glioblastoma remodelling of human neural circuits decreases survival. Nature, 617(7961), 599–607.

 

Inaugural Glial Tumor Neuroscience Program Symposium

At the first UCSF Glial Tumor Neuroscience Symposium, a group of interdisciplinary scientists came together to discuss the latest research linking the fields of systems-level studies of brain circuitry and glioma biology.


The Glial Tumor Neuroscience Program is the vision of Tom Paquin and his family. Tom’s diagnosis with glioblastoma in 2021 marked the family’s second encounter with the disease. The family was struck by the lack of progress in available treatments in the years since Tom’s father died from this deadly brain cancer. To that end, he and his family are determined to help advance glioma research. Tom’s contributions to the tech industry as a co-founder of Netscape and later Mozilla helped shape the internet as we know it today. This program is reflective of that innovative spirit in its approach to tackling brain cancer.

This research program is generously funded by the Paquins and their friends. To help support this program, visit makeagift.ucsf.edu/GTNP. To make a a gift via wire transfer or a gift of stocks, mutual funds or other securities, please contact Meredith Marschak at Meredith.Marschak@ucsf.edu