Wu Lab

The Advances in Technology and Drug Delivery Initiative Laboratory, led by principal investigator Cheng-Chia "Fred" Wu, M.D., Ph.D., is interested in translating novel drug delivery technologies to treat children with brain tumors. The brain has a natural barrier that prevents toxins and other agents from reaching the brain. This same barrier also limits the access of systemic treatments — including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy — from reaching the tumor. Dr. Wu's lab explores the use of focused ultrasound (FUS) and convection enhanced delivery (CED). Using targeted ultrasound with microbubbles, the blood-brain barrier can be temporarily and reversibly opened to allow for enhanced drug delivery to fight brain tumors. In addition, the lab is studying the use of direct catheter delivery of drugs to the brain tumors using CED. Dr. Wu and his team's first goal is to support immediate translation of these technologies to clinical trials. The second goal is to develop novel methods to improve treatment outcomes. Dr. Wu's team is working in collaboration with colleagues at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute in Roanoke, and the Children's National Brain Tumor Institute at the Children's National Research & Innovation Campus in Washington, D.C., to advance development and use of these technologies.