The AACR-Novocure Tumor Treating Fields Research Grants represent a joint effort to promote and support innovative research focused on Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields), which are intermediate frequency, low intensity, alternating electric fields that disrupt cell division in cancer cells. These grants are intended to provide a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of action of this novel anti-cancer treatment modality and to accelerate the development of new treatment strategies to advance therapeutic options for cancer. Funded research must be focused on the preclinical application of TTFields in cancer and may be basic or translational in nature.

2025 Grantees

Scientific Statement of Research 

There is evidence that suggests glioblastoma (GBM) stem cells may be resistant to Tumor Treating Fields (TTFs). Nevertheless, TTFs have been shown to cause inflammatory changes in tumor cells. Dr. Chheda and others have shown that oncolytic Zika virus (ZIKV) therapy can specifically target cancer stem cells, activate a type I interferon response, and increase CD8+ T cells in tumors — enhancing immune-mediated anti-tumor responses. He hypothesizes that oncolytic ZIKV therapy will improve TTF efficacy by enhancing type I interferon responses and immunogenic cell death and amplifying the anti-tumor cytotoxic T cell response. This work can lead to more effective combination therapies for patients with newly diagnosed and treatment-resistant GBM. 

Biography 

Dr. Chheda completed his training in neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and his training in neuro-oncology at Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Massachusetts General Hospital. He conducted his postdoctoral research at Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Broad Institute, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. He is currently the director of neuro-oncology at Washington University School of Medicine. 

Acknowledgement of Support 

“The Chheda laboratory will move into a new realm of brain tumor investigations. The provision of tumor treating field apparatus and funding will enable studies that are unique and might lead to completely new ways to treat patients.”

Scientific Statement of Research 

 Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the most lethal solid tumors due to highly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields), a noninvasive therapy using low-intensity, intermediate-frequency alternating electric fields, has shown early efficacy with chemotherapy, yet its immunological effects and potential synergy with radiotherapy (RT) and immunotherapy are poorly defined. Preliminary data show that RT increases mesothelin (MSLN) expression on tumor cells, improving murine MSLN-targeting CAR T-cell trafficking and expansion and promoting systemic tumor control in PDAC models. Dr. Verginadis seeks to define the immunomodulatory effects and therapeutic potential of combining TTFields with RT and immunotherapy in orthotopic and metastatic models by profiling immunity and stroma, optimizing RT timing for MSLN induction, and testing TTFields+RT with MSLN-targeting CAR T-cells or checkpoint blockade for synergy. Collectively, this research can address TTFields mechanistic gaps, define synergy with RT and immunotherapy, and establish a framework providing preclinical evidence for immune-permissive strategies.

Biography 

Dr. Verginadis earned BSc (Hons) and MSc degrees in molecular biology and a PhD in physiology and radiation biology from the University of Ioannina, Greece. He then joined the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Pennsylvania, where he completed postdoctoral training in radiation and cancer biology. He is a currently a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, and a member of the Abramson Cancer Center. His research focuses on improving the therapeutic index of radiotherapy by modulating the tumor microenvironment, reducing normal tissue toxicity, and integrating novel treatment strategies. 

Acknowledgement of Support 

“Receiving the AACR-Novocure Cancer Research Grant will advance my work on the PDAC tumor microenvironment, help establish me in the field, allow me to mentor new students, expand collaborations, and support my long-term goal of improving pancreatic cancer care with novel treatment combinations.”

2024 grantees

Research

Treatment for the deadly brain tumor glioblastoma (GBM) has been improved through the non-invasive addition of alternating electric fields, known as tumor treating fields (TTFields).  Through kinomic profiling of temozolomide-sensitive and temozolomide-resistant GBM cells, the Hjelmeland and Willey laboratories identified kinases which are predicted to be impacted by TTFields. Addition of the kinase inhibitor crenolanib to TTFields was found to further decrease GBM cell growth.  Dr. Hjelmeland seeks to expand these findings by characterizing additional kinase-mediated mechanisms of TTFields resistance and sensitivity in the context of GBM chemo- and radioresistance. 

Biography

Dr. Hjelmeland obtained her doctorate in pharmacology and cancer biology from Duke University and completed a postdoctoral fellowship neuro-oncology, also at Duke University.  She was on staff at the Cleveland Clinic before starting her laboratory at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).  Dr. Hjelmeland is the Basic Science Co-Leader of the Neuro-Oncology Program of the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center and Associate Professor of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology at UAB. Her laboratory is focused on identifying novel mechanisms promoting glioblastoma growth and therapeutic resistance that can be targeted to improve patient outcomes.  

Acknowledgment of Support

“We sincerely appreciate the support from AACR and Novocure through the 2024 AACR-Novocure Cancer Research Grant.  These funds will allow us to move forward with our efforts to identify blood brain barrier penetrant kinase inhibitors that improve the efficacy of TTFields in primary and/or recurrent GBM cells.” 

Research

Preliminary in vitro data have shown promising effects of Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) on both morphological and functional aspects of the glioblastoma network. Dr. Ratliff aims to investigate the biological effects of TTFields on critical drivers of glioblastoma malignancy, with a particular emphasis on tumor microtube formation and the function and integrity of the glioblastoma tumor cell network. They plan to analyze these effects from morphological, functional, transcriptional, and metabolomic perspectives using glioblastoma brain organoids and in vivo chronic cranial window mouse models. In addition, her study builds on a recently established and clinically validated connectivity signature for glioblastoma, identified as a robust biomarker associated with the mesenchymal expression subtype, TP53 wild-type status, and poor patient survival. They plan to investigate the effects of TTFields on this connectivity signature and provide new insights into the potential of TTFields as a therapeutic strategy for glioblastoma.

Biography

Dr. Ratliff is a dedicated neurosurgeon with over a decade of experience in neuro-oncology. In addition to her medical training, she holds a graduate degree in biology, providing her with a strong foundation in molecular biology and scientific methodology. She received further training in the research group of Professor Winkler at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), where she contributed to establishing a molecular focus and implementing intravital microscopy techniques. Dr. Ratliff has since established her own research group and laboratory at the University Medical Center Mannheim, Germany, benefiting from research associations that provide extensive resources and collaborative opportunities.

Acknowledgement of Support

“Receiving the 2024 AACR-Novocure Cancer Research Grant will allow me to investigate whether TTFields target the glioblastoma tumor cell network, a focus of several ongoing clinical trials. As a neurosurgeon, devoting more time to research fulfills my passion and advances my academic and scientific career.”