Professor Dr Webster K. Cavenee

Main areas of research: Genetic cancer research, oncology, brain tumours, tumour suppression, glioblastoma
Webster K. Cavenee is a US American pioneer of genetic cancer research. He provided the first indisputable evidence for the existence of a gene that was responsible for the suppression of tumours, a so-called Tumour Suppressor Gene.
Already as a postgraduate student Webster Cavenee was able to bring about an extraordinary breakthrough by producing the first indisputable evidence of the existence of a so-called Tumour Suppressor Gene. These genes normally control the cell cycle and programmed cell death by means of specific proteins. A mutation of one such gene increases the probability of a tumour forming and the onset of cancer.
Cavenee’s further research work is closely linked to the US American Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research. As a professor and Director of the Ludwig Institute in San Diego he focussed his research on a particularly aggressive type of brain tumour in adults: the glioblastome, which is thus far considered incurable. Webster Cavenee described the formation, function and attributes of an important growth factor receptor, the mutated form of which fosters the development of such tumours. A team led by him developed an antibody against the mutated receptor and that has developed into a promising therapy against glioblastoma.
Cavenee ended his role as the Director of the Institute in 2015 but continues his scientific work. He since coordinates an international research alliance that consists of about 130 clinical researchers and basic researchers from the USA, China, Australia and Europe. The goal of the alliance is to promote and advance new clinical testing methods for the purpose of developing therapies against glioblastoma.