Oren J. Becher, MD
- Pediatrics / Pediatrics-Hematology/Oncology
- Pathology
Address
DUMC 91001
Durham, NC 27710
Appointment Telephone
919-668-6288
Office Telephone
919-684-3401
Fax Telephone
919-681-7950
- MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (Maryland), 2000
- Pediatrics, Children's National Medical Center (Washington, DC), 2003
- Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Cornell/Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (New York), 2006
- Pediatric Neuro-Oncology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (New York), 2007
Clinical Interests
Central nervous system tumors in children and teenagers; new treatment regimens for children and young adults with gliomas; interest in discovering novel, highly targeted, potent, and less toxic molecular inhibitors to treat brain tumors, and in testing novel drugs in genetic models of brain-stem gliomas or DIPGs
Research Interests
My laboratory interests are to apply genetic mouse models of pediatric brain tumors to prioritize the translation of novel agents into clinical trials. In particular, my laboratory is using a genetic mouse model of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas to determine therapeutic targets, mechanisms of resistance to targeted agents, unravel new ways to bypass the blood-brain-barrier, and investigate region-specific differences between gliomagenesis in the brainstem and the cortex. My laboratory is also developing improved genetic mouse models of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG).
This faculty member (or a member of their immediate family) has a working relationship (i.e. consulting, research, and/or educational services) with the companies listed below. These relations have been reported to the health system leadership and, when appropriate, management plans are in place to address potential conflicts.
- GlaxoSmithKline
- Tactical Therapeutics
Representative Publications
Bakst, RL; Dunkel, IJ; Gilheeney, S; Khakoo, Y; Becher, O; Souweidane, MM; Wolden, SL. Reirradiation for recurrent medulloblastoma. Cancer. 2011;117:4977-4982.
(2011)
Abstract
Pitter, KL; Galbán, CJ; Galbán, S; Tehrani, OS; Li, F; Charles, N; Bradbury, MS; Becher, OJ; Chenevert, TL; Rehemtulla, A; Ross, BD; Holland, EC; Hambardzumyan, D. Perifosine and CCI 779 co-operate to induce cell death and decrease proliferation in PTEN-intact and PTEN-deficient PDGF-driven murine glioblastoma. PLoS One. 2011;6:e14545.
(2011)
Abstract
Polkinghorn, WR; Dunkel, IJ; Souweidane, MM; Khakoo, Y; Lyden, DC; Gilheeney, SW; Becher, OJ; Budnick, AS; Wolden, SL. Disease control and ototoxicity using intensity-modulated radiation therapy tumor-bed boost for medulloblastoma. International Journal of Radiation: Oncology - Biology - Physics. 2011;81:e15-e20.
(2011)
Abstract
Becher, OJ; Hambardzumyan, D; Walker, TR; Helmy, K; Nazarian, J; Albrecht, S; Hiner, RL; Gall, S; Huse, JT; Jabado, N; MacDonald, TJ; Holland, EC. Preclinical evaluation of radiation and perifosine in a genetically and histologically accurate model of brainstem glioma. Cancer Research. 2010;70:2548-2557.
(2010)
Abstract
Becher, OJ; Holland, EC. Evidence for and against regional differences in neural stem and progenitor cells of the CNS. Genes and Development. 2010;24:2233-2238.
(2010)
Abstract
Castellino, RC; Barwick, BG; Schniederjan, M; Buss, MC; Becher, O; Hambardzumyan, D; Macdonald, TJ; Brat, DJ; Durden, DL. Heterozygosity for Pten promotes tumorigenesis in a mouse model of medulloblastoma. PLoS One. 2010;5:e10849.
(2010)
Abstract
Amankulor, NM; Hambardzumyan, D; Pyonteck, SM; Becher, OJ; Joyce, JA; Holland, EC. Sonic hedgehog pathway activation is induced by acute brain injury and regulated by injury-related inflammation. The Journal of Neuroscience. 2009;29:10299-10308.
(2009)
Abstract
Becher, OJ; Souweidane, M; Lavi, E; Kramer, K; Lis, E; Marghoob, AA; Khakoo, Y. Large congenital melanotic nevi in an extremity with neurocutaneous melanocytosis. Pediatric Dermatology. 2009;26:79-82.
(2009)
Abstract
Hambardzumyan, D; Amankulor, NM; Helmy, KY; Becher, OJ; Holland, EC. Modeling Adult Gliomas Using RCAS/t-va Technology. Translational Oncology. 2009;2:89-95.
(2009)
Abstract
Becher, OJ; Hambardzumyan, D; Fomchenko, EI; Momota, H; Mainwaring, L; Bleau, AM; Katz, AM; Edgar, M; Kenney, AM; Cordon-Cardo, C; Blasberg, RG; Holland, EC. Gli activity correlates with tumor grade in platelet-derived growth factor-induced gliomas. Cancer Research. 2008;68:2241-2249.
(2008)
Abstract
Becher, OJ; Peterson, KM; Khatua, S; Santi, MR; MacDonald, TJ. IGFBP2 is overexpressed by pediatric malignant astrocytomas and induces the repair enzyme DNA-PK. Journal of Child Neurology. 2008;23:1205-1213.
(2008)
Abstract
Hambardzumyan, D; Becher, OJ; Holland, EC. Cancer stem cells and survival pathways. Cell Cycle. 2008;7:1371-1378.
(2008)
Abstract
Hambardzumyan, D; Becher, OJ; Rosenblum, MK; Pandolfi, PP; Manova-Todorova, K; Holland, EC. PI3K pathway regulates survival of cancer stem cells residing in the perivascular niche following radiation in medulloblastoma in vivo. Genes and Development. 2008;22:436-448.
(2008)
Abstract
Becher, OJ; Holland, EC. Genetically engineered models have advantages over xenografts for preclinical studies. Cancer Research. 2006;66:3355-3358.
(2006)
Abstract
Gershon, TR; Becher, OJ. Medulloblastoma: therapy and biologic considerations. Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports. 2006;6:200-206.
(2006)
Abstract
