Pinning Down Tumor Cells’ Resistance to Therapy

Dr. Diehn is working to break down

the cellular defenses of leukemia and

solid cancers.

His research with a breast tumor

model has suggested that the key to

eradicating a cancer is to find and

destroy all of the cancer’s stem cells.

The grant allowed Dr. Diehn protected

time to investigate mechanisms

within those cells that resist chemo-

therapy and radiation therapy.

Better understanding of these mecha-

nisms, fueled by Dr. Diehn’s research,

may help physicians deliver targeted

treatment that can wipe out a cancer

for good.

Dr. Diehn used his promising results

to pursue funding from the National

Institutes of Health and private

foundations. Today, he’s an assistant

professor in the Department of

Radiation Oncology and Institute for

Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative

Medicine at Stanford University. Last

year he contributed to the discovery of

human bladder cancer stem cells and

published evidence of treatment

resistance mechanisms in solid tumor

cancer stem cells.

“In addition to funding the work itself,

I believe that the R&E grant signifi-

cantly strengthened my CV because it

documented that I could successfully

compete for external grant funding,”

said Dr. Diehn. “I think this program

does exactly what it sets out to do.”

Innovations like Dr. Diehn’s are the

real building blocks for medical

breakthroughs that will deliver better

care to patients.

Maximilian Diehn, M.D., Ph.D.Department of Radiation OncologyStanford UniversityR&E Grant Recipient

r&e grants are creating the future. make it a guarantee. donate today.

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