Modeling and targeting metastatic and high-risk sarcomas: Insights into molecular pathogenesis and pre-clinical testing of new therapeutic interventions
Specific projects include:
- Identification and targeting mechanisms of therapeutic resistance
- Characterization and targeting tumor metabolism in pediatric sarcomas
- Role of c-Myc and PVT-1 in the development and progression of osteosarcoma
- Characterization and targeting p21-activated kinases (PAKs) in pediatric sarcomas
Please contact us for additional details at yustein@bcm.edu.

Summary diagram of miR-130b /CDC42/PAK1/AP-1 oncogenic, positive feedback loop in Ewing sarcoma.

Diagram of ex vivo pulmonary metastasis assay demonstrating effect of Tegavivint on β-catenin-mediated transcriptional activity in PDX-derived lung cells. Representative images of lung slices treated with DMSO or Tegavivint. mCherry is constitutively expressed in all tumor cells, and β-catenin/TCF activity is represented with GFP. Fluorescent images of whole lung lobes in each group is shown.

Design and characterization of a novel genetically engineered mouse model of metastatic osteosarcoma. Tumor histopathology demonstrating primary osteoblastic osteosarcoma (upper left panel) and distal lung metastatic lesions (upper right panel). Spectral karyotype of a primary osteosarcoma (bottom panel).