Research

Brain tumors pose unique therapeutic challenges due to the complex and delicate nature of the brain. Among them, gliomas—the most common primary malignant brain tumors—remain among the most devastating cancers, with limited treatment options despite significant advances in medicine. Because of their profound heterogeneity, targeted therapies often fail to eradicate all tumor subpopulations. In particular, glioblastoma (GBM), the most aggressive form of glioma, almost invariably recurs due to its infiltrative nature and adaptive cellular ecosystem.

To overcome these challenges, our research focuses on two complementary directions that together aim to provide more durable and comprehensive therapeutic strategies for malignant brain tumors.

1. Precision medicine approach based 

We aim to develop individualized therapeutic strategies that target predominant tumor clones based on molecular and pharmacogenomic profiling. By identifying molecular determinants that define therapeutic vulnerabilities, our work seeks to provide personalized treatment guidance that addresses the heterogeneity of gliomas and improves the precision of clinical decision-making.

2. Cellular Interactions within the Tumor Microenvironment (TME)

In parallel, we investigate the cellular interactions within the tumor microenvironment that promote tumor persistence and immune evasion, and explore strategies to therapeutically modulate them. By defining how these interactions drive tumor invasion and resistance, we seek to reveal mechanisms that can be leveraged to counteract the adaptive and infiltrative behavior of GBM and related gliomas.

Expanding Beyond Brain Tumors

Building on these frameworks, the Choi Lab applies computational biology to expand discoveries from brain tumors to other refractory cancers. By integrating clinical and multi-omics data, we seek to uncover shared mechanisms of therapy resistance and identify novel therapeutic vulnerabilities across tumor types. Ultimately, our goal is to translate these insights into precision medicine strategies that improve outcomes and quality of life for patients with brain and other hard-to-treat cancers.