“We’ve been able to actually move findings from our laboratory into the clinical setting. So patients being treated today at Cleveland Clinic may have received some therapies that we developed here and funded by VeloSano.”
For most people, your body has a remarkable way of healing itself when you get a cut or scrape. Tiny, heroic particles in your blood called platelets rush to the scene. They act like microscopic band-aids, creating a seal that protects the wound and helps it heal.
However, platelets can quickly become the enemy when it comes to patients with cancer, particularly those diagnosed with glioblastoma. In these patients, an overabundance of platelets can lead to thrombosis, a serious condition where blood clots form that may lead to a stroke or death. Justin Lathia, PhD, Vice Chair, Department of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Sciences at Cleveland Clinic, is investigating this critical issue through VeloSano funding.
“No one’s really looked at this in detail in malignant brain tumors,” says Dr. Lathia. “Tumor cells are constantly sending out signals and receiving signals from their surroundings, but no one knows what’s going on with platelets. So with the VeloSano project, we want to understand that type of communication.”
Dr. Lathia’s study is looking into the biology of this process and testing clinically relevant drugs to hopefully inhibit their interaction and slow down tumor growth. Ultimately, the study seeks to develop new treatment options, as the standard of care for glioblastoma has remained largely unchanged for the past 20 years.
“What drives us is that we get really excited by the opportunity to tackle this difficult problem,” says Dr. Lathia. “We often have a lot of ideas, but they’re difficult to support at a higher level because there’s a huge amount of risk, and VeloSano has been our catalyst for that.”
Dr. Lathia’s research is not only unprecedented but also deeply impactful. Many of the patients with glioblastoma are in desperate need of new treatment options, and that’s why he has been with VeloSano Bike to Cure since the beginning.
“Cleveland’s a very special place, and Bike to Cure showcases the ability of the community to be involved in something larger than itself,” says Dr. Lathia. “It’s a celebration of the folks who are going through the battle, a promise for the future and even the medical institutions in town that are changing the game. But none of us could do any of this without the community.”
The goal of this project is to initiate an early phase clinical trial, ultimately aiming to improve patients’ quality of life. Dr. Lathia and his team are hopeful that their work will lead to innovative therapies, providing a better future for patients with this aggressive cancer.
100% For The Cure
