The AACR-Novocure Career Development Awards for Cancer Research represent a joint effort to promote and support early-career investigators who are conducting innovative research focused on Tumor Treating Fields. These grants are intended to provide a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of action of this anti-cancer treatment modality and to accelerate the development of new treatment strategies to advance therapeutic options for cancer.

2025 Grantee

Scientific Statement of Research 

Isocitrate dehydrogenase–mutant (IDHmut) gliomas are a distinct subtype of brain tumors that typically affect younger patients and remain universally progressive despite current therapies. The recent approval of vorasidenib, a brain-penetrant inhibitor of mutant IDH enzymes, provides a new treatment option, but its effectiveness in aggressive or recurrent disease is limited, and resistance frequently develops. Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields), an FDA-approved therapy for glioblastoma, disrupts tumor cell division and has also been shown to enhance antitumor immune responses. Dr. Wang hypothesizes that combining Vorasidenib with TTFields will synergistically suppress tumor growth and reprogram the immune environment in IDHmut gliomas. Using advanced patient-derived brain tumor models, he will investigate how TTFields may overcome resistance to vorasidenib, uncover the molecular and metabolic basis of treatment response, and assess immune effects. These findings aim to inform a rational combination strategy for patients with treatment-resistant IDHmut gliomas. 

Biography 

Dr. Wang is an Assistant Professor and Director of Precision Medicine at the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, and an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Duke University. His research uses advanced organoid models and precision oncology approaches to study brain tumors, with a focus on IDH-mutant and diffuse midline gliomas. He collaborates across academic, clinical, and advocacy groups to accelerate the discovery of new treatments and bring innovative solutions to patients with gliomas. 

Acknowledgement of Support 

“The AACR-Novocure Award will significantly advance my research on organoid-based models of brain tumors, providing resources to drive therapeutic discovery. This recognition propels my career trajectory toward leadership in precision oncology while directly supporting innovation to improve patient care.”

2024 grantee

Research

Translating Tumour Treating Fields with Targeted DNA Repair Inhibitors Towards Clinical Strategy(TACTICS) is designed to establish the UK’s first full-circle translational platform to advance Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields)-based combinations for cancers of unmet need. Among these, high-grade gliomas cause over 190,000 deaths annually worldwide, resulting in more years of life-loss per patient than any other cancer. Tumor heterogeneity and glioma stem cell (GSC) subpopulations, which repair DNA rapidly after chemotherapy and radiotherapy, make it unlikely that any single treatment will provide a cure. Within TACTICS, Dr. Rominiyi plans to evaluate TTFields-DNA repair inhibitor (TD) combinations in subcutaneous, bespoke orthotopic brain-invasive, and immunocompetent mouse models to support rapid translation to clinical trials. Additionally, focused analyses of murine and patient tissue following TTFields and immunotherapy will be used to guide the development of TTFields-DNA-repair-immuno-oncology combinations, advancing global efforts to improve outcomes for these devastating malignancies.

Biography

Dr. Rominiyi studied medicine at the University of Manchester before completing house officer (intern) posts in Cambridge and Oxford. In 2014, he secured a neurosurgical training position (residency) in Sheffield, where he developed strong research interests and pursued laboratory-based doctoral research on targeting DNA repair in glioblastoma. He developed new spatially distinct, patient-derived models to establish the Sheffield ‘Living Biobank’ of Glioblastoma.

Acknowledgement of Support

“This AACR-Novocure Career Development Award for Cancer Research will be instrumental in my progression as a surgeon-scientist aspiring to improve patient care through both laboratory-based and clinical studies. The Award, and the support of our phenomenal team, will enable us to deliver new treatment approaches for some of the deadliest cancers.”

2023 GRANTEE

Research

Spinal metastases are treated with radiotherapy alone or in combination with surgery. Despite these interventions, tumors frequently recur, treatment options are limited, and patients experience exceptionally high rates of tumor progression and neurologic compromise. There is an urgent clinical need to develop novel alternative treatments for radiation refractory spinal metastases. While tumor treating fields (TTFields) possess tumor suppressive effects against multiple tumor histologies, they are also influenced by the electrical conductivity of each tissue layer in proximity to the tumor. In this setting, the anatomic features of bone provide a potential therapeutic advantage for the application of TTFields against spinal metastases. This work will leverage a series of in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo studies that will decipher the unique cellular cross talk between the tumor—bone microenvironment in the setting of TTFields.

Biography

 Dr. Alvarez-Breckenridge was a member of the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) at The Ohio State University where he received his combined medical and doctoral degree and researched oncolytic viral therapy for gliomas. He subsequently completed his neurosurgery residency at Massachusetts General Hospital and conducted research on immunotherapy for brain metastases and leptomeningeal disease. He pursued a neurosurgical oncology fellowship at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and joined the faculty in 2020 as an assistant professor. His clinical practice focuses on treating spinal tumors and he leads a laboratory studying novel treatment approaches for brain and spine metastases.

Acknowledgement of Support

“This award is an incredibly valuable resource to expand the research scope and capability of my laboratory, particularly as we a) strive to achieve novel insights into the utility of TTFields for spinal metastases, b) decipher underlying mechanisms of action within the bone context, and c) move towards clinical investigation.”