Laboratory of Cancer Neuroscience – Department of Neurological Surgery, USC Brain Tumor Center, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center

The Laboratory of Cancer Neuroscience led by Dr. Josh Neman focuses on the transdisciplinary research between neurobiology and cancer foundations in advancing the current understanding of how the nervous system contributes to primary and metastatic brain tumors.

Specifically, by leveraging current advances in neurodevelopment and the brain’s microenvironment (neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia, cerebral spinal fluid), we aim to uncover novel mechanisms used by the nervous system which:
give tumor cells (breast, melanoma, lung) the proclivity to grow and metastasize (spread) to the brain.
Allow pediatric brain tumors (medulloblastoma) to metastasize (spread) from the brain.

This will ultimately result in development of improved strategies for metastatic prevention and treatment of patients with these devastating diseases.