Research

The following are our areas of research:

1. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 in the angiogenesis of intracranial tumors.
VEGF is important in the progression and angiogenesis of gliomas. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) is the major regulator of VEGF. Our current work looks at the role of HIF-1 and other hypoxia-regulated molecules in human brain tumors. Current work examines HIF-1 in malignant glioma development. We have made siRNA to inhibit the function of HIF-1 and are examining the effects of this methodology on brain tumor vascularity and growth in a mouse model.

2. Calcium channel antagonists for potentiation of chemotherapy for meningiomas.
Our initial work demonstrated the use of calcium channel antagonists for the growth inhibition of human meningiomas. This ongoing work involves using calcium channel antagonists to increase the efficacy of common chemotherapeutic drugs used for the treatment of meningiomas. This involves both cell culture experiments and an animal model of meningiomas first developed in our lab.

3. Research determining the role of COX-2 in meningioma growth and angiogenesis.
This work involves examining the role of cyclooxygenase II (COX II) pathways in the growth and angiogenesis of meningiomas.

4. siRNA for inhibition of glioma growth and angiogenesis.

5. Other collaborative projects.

• The Jensen Lab has worked with Drs. David Gaffney and Dennis Shrieve of the Radiation Oncology Department on a project measuring HIF-1 expression in cervical cancers, and the radiobiology of meningiomas. 
• Dr. Jensen worked with Dr. Clough Shelton and served as a mentor for his residents in otolaryngology on a number of laboratory projects. One project resulted in a publication titled “Role of Topical Steroids in Reducing Dysfunction After Nerve Injury,” which was published in Laryngoscope in 2000. 
• We have worked with Dr. Robert Roemer and his grant for the “Optimization of Interactive Control of HIFU Therapy.” The grant has been funded the past four years, with a renewal submitted this fall. 
• Dr. Lester Layfield, of the Department of Pathology, and Dr. Jensen have a recent publication using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for detection of EGF receptor mutations in malignant gliomas and the relationship to patient outcome.