Biomechanical ECM Switches in the Regulation of Malignant Tumor Progression

Dr. Brooks obtained his PhD in Cell and Developmental Biology from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 1993. In 1994 he discovered a role for integrin avb3 in blood vessel development. These studies resulted in the development of two anti-angiogenic drugs (Vitaxin/AbegrinTM and CilengitideTM), which are currently being evaluated in several clinical trials. He received the Wilson S. Stone Memorial Award for outstanding contributions in biomedical research in 1997 and joined USC School of Medicine as an Assistant Professor.  Dr. Brooks co-founded Cell Matrix Incorporated (CMI) a biotech company based in Los Angeles that focused on anti-angiogenic drugs targeting cryptic ECM epitopes and in 2000, joined NYU School of Medicine as Associate Professor and Director of Angiogenesis and Radiation Research.

Dr. Brooks’s studies have lead to a recent clinical trial to evaluate the affects of D93; a humanized antibody directed to a cryptic collagen epitope for the treatment of malignant tumors. While studying integrins, proteases and ECM molecules, he recently discovered a vitamin-like compound and several organic analogs that enhanced the anti-tumor activity of chemotherapy and radiation. Dr. Brooks recently joined the Maine Medical Center Research Institute and continues his studies on the mechanisms that regulate angiogenesis, tumor growth and metastasis.