Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre Seminar - Targeting Mitochondrial and Mevalonate Metabolic Dependencies in Diffuse Midline Glioma
| Dates: | 18 May 2026 |
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| Times: | 15:00 - 16:00 |
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| What is it: | Seminar |
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| Organiser: | Division of Neuroscience |
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| How much: | Free |
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| Who is it for: | University staff, Current University students |
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Please join us for a brain tumour theme seminar hosted by Professor Petra Hamerlik on Monday 18th May, 3-4pm in the Michael Smith Lecture Theatre.
Location: Michael Smith Building, University of Manchester, Dover Street, M13 9PT
Targeting Mitochondrial and Mevalonate Metabolic Dependencies in Diffuse Midline Glioma - Dr Javad Nazarian, DIPG/DMG Research Centre, University Children’s Hospital Zurich
Diffuse midline glioma (DMG) is a lethal pediatric brain tumor with no effective cure. Our work identifies a metabolic vulnerability in DMG centered on cholesterol biosynthesis. We found that trifluoperazine (TFP), an FDA-approved brain-penetrant drug, selectively disrupts mitochondrial function in DMG cells while sparing astrocytes. Multi-omic analyses showed that this stress response activates cholesterol programs, revealing a dependency that can be therapeutically exploited. Patient tumors demonstrated constitutive SREBP2 activation, and statins showed strong synergy with TFP in vitro, an effect reversed by cholesterol supplementation. In orthotopic DMG models, both TFP and atorvastatin prolonged survival. These findings suggest that DMG relies on a targetable cholesterol pathway and support repurposing FDA-approved agents as a translational strategy for this devastating disease.
Bio: Dr Javad Nazarian’s research focuses on understanding and treating diffuse midline gliomas (DMGs) and diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPGs). He serves as Head of the DIPG/DMG Research Center at the University Children’s Hospital Zürich and as Scientific Co-Chair of the Children’s Brain Tumor Network (CBTN). His pioneering work has shaped the molecular and clinical understanding of DMGs/DIPGs, leading advances in liquid biopsy development, tumor evolution mapping, and identification of novel therapeutic targets. Dr Nazarian is also the co-founder and co-lead of the international DMG-ACT (DMG Adaptive and Combinatorial Therapies) initiative, uniting 56 institutions across three continents to accelerate translation of laboratory discoveries. Their main goal is to improve outcomes for children with DMG through innovative clinical trial designs.
No need to register - everyone is welcome to attend.
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Michael Smith Lecture Theature
Michael Smith Building
Manchester
