Thomas C. Chen , MD, PhD

Research Interests

The research in our laboratory is focused on translational research for malignant gliomas, We are currently working on combining signal transduction modulation (cAMP/protein kinase A pathway) of malignant gliomas using chemotheraphy, with genetic manipulation via gene therapy. Gene therapy efforts have been directed towards improving targeting of glioma cells and glioma endothelial cells using a targeted adenovirus. The eventual combination of chemotherapy and gene therapy may prove to be a viable clinical treatment option for patients with malignant gliomas.

Clinical Interests

Spine
Neuro-oncology
Neurological Surgery

Degrees

University of Southern California, PHD, 1996
University of California, San Francisco, MD, 1988

Internships

University of Southern California-Surgery, 1988 - 1989

Residencies

University of Southern California - Neurosurgery, 1989 - 1995

Fellowships

Medical College of Wisconsin - Spine, 1996 - 1997

Board Certification

Neurological Surgery, 2000

Memberships

Congress of Neurological Surgeons
American Association of Neurological Surgery
American Association of Cancer Research
North American Spine Society
Society of Neuro-Oncology
American Society of Clinical Oncology

Clinical Affiliation

USC Care Medical Group

USC University Hospital
USC/Norris Cancer Hospital

Select Publications

Charalambous C, Hofman FM, Chen TC. Functional and phenotypic differences between glioblastoma-derived and normal human brain endothelial cells. J Neurosurg 102(4):699-705, 2005.

Schmitmeier S, Markland FS, Schonthal AH, Chen TC. Potent mimicry of fibronectin-induced signaling in glioma cells by the homodimeric snake venom disintegrin contortrostatin. Neurosurgery 57(1): 141-53, 2005.

Tai CK, Wang WJ, Chen TC, Kasahara N. Single-shot, multicycle suicide gene therapy by replication-competent retrovirus vectors achieves long-term survival benefit in experimental glioma. Molecular Therapy 12: 842-851, 2005.

Khardosh A, Wang W, Chen TC, Schonthal A. Dimethyl-celecoxib (DMC), a derivative of celecoxib that lacks cyclooxygenase-2-inhibitory function, potently mimics the anti-tumor effects of celecoxib on Burkitt?s lymphoma in vitro and in vivo, Cancer Biology & Therapy, 4(5):571-82, 2005.

Pyrko P, Wang W, Markland FS, Swenson SD, Schmitmeier S, Schonthal AH, Chen TC. The role of contortrostatin, a snake venom disintegrin, in the inhibition fo tumor progression and prolongation of survival in a rodent glioma model. J Neurosurg 103:526-538, 2005.

Kardosh A, Soriano N, Liu YT, Uddin J, Petasis NA, Hofman FM, Chen TC, Schonthal AH. Multi-target inhibition of drug-resistant multiple myeloma cell lines by dimethyl-celecoxib(DMC), a non-COX-2 inhibitory analog of celecoxib. Blood, in press.