Laurent Brard, MD

Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division Chief, Gynecologic Oncology
Obstetrics and Gynecology

    About me

    Dr. Laurent Brard is Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Southern Illinois University (SIU) School of Medicine, chief of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, director of the basic research laboratory of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and full member of the Simmons Cancer Institute at SIU. Dr. Brard is a nationally and internationally recognized gynecologic oncologist. He has published extensively in this field, including in the areas of molecular and cancer biology, pre-clinical drug development and novel treatments. His clinical focus is on the treatment of women's cancers. He has conducted investigator-initiated and participated in national (through the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG), now NRG Oncology) clinical trials of novel therapeutics with an emphasis on recurrent ovarian cancers. His research interests span five areas: (1) Gynecologic Cancer Health Disparities, (2) Biomarker Discovery in Gynecological Cancer, (3) Cancer Drug Discovery and Development (based on natural or synthetic drugs and drug re-purposing), (4) Ovarian Cancer Genomics (potentially leading to new biomarkers and druggable targets) and (5) Novel therapeutics - clinical trials for gynecologic cancers. He has been the recipient of several NIH and foundation grants to pursue these areas of research. Dr. Brard is principal investigator at the SIU School of Medicine for the P20 CA192987 NIH/NCI grant Addressing Rural Cancer Health Disparities: An SCC-SIUSM Partnership. The goal of this grant is to build a collaborative partnership between SIU School of Medicine and the NCI-designated Siteman Cancer Center (SCC) at Washington University (WUSTL) to promote training and research in the population. 

    Gender

    Male

    Additional languages spoken

    French

    Education & training

    Positions
    Division Chief, Gynecologic Oncology
    Board Certifications
    Gynecologic Oncology
    Medical School
    University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
    Residency
    Women & Infants Hospital/Brown University, Providence, RI - Internship and Residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology
    Fellowship
    Women & Infants Hospital/Brown University, Providence, RI - Gynecologic Oncology

    Academic Location

    Academic Office

    415 N 9th St Springfield, IL 62702
    Mail Code: 9640

    Research

    Research Interests
    Specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cancers of the female reproductive system, including ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, vaginal cancer, cervical cancer, and vulvar cancer.

    Publications

    Selected Publications

    • Zahnd WE, Hyon KS, Diaz-Sylvester P, Izadi SR, Colditz GA, Brard L*. Rural-Urban Differences in Surgical Treatment and Regional Lymph Node Examination in Endometrial Cancer Patients. Cancer Causes & Control. 2017 Dec 27. [Epub ahead of print]. PMID: 29282582.
    • Ayyagari VN, Diaz-Sylvester PL, Hsieh TJ, Brard L*. Evaluation of cytotoxicity of the Bithionol and Paclitaxel combination treatment in a panel of human ovarian carcinoma cell lines. PLoS One. 12(9):e0185111 (2017). PMID: 28931042
    • Zahnd WE, James AS, Jenkins WD, Izadi SR, Fogleman AJ, Steward DE, Colditz GA, Brard L*. Rural-Urban Differences in Cancer Incidence and Trends in the United States. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. (2017) pii: cebp.0430.2017. PMID: 28751476.
    • Alanee S, Delfino K, Robinson K, Brard L, Semaan A. Single Nucleotide Variant in Nucleoporin 107 may be Predictive of Sensitivity to Chemotherapy in Patient with Ovarian Cancer. Pharmacogenet Genomics. 27(7):264-269 (2017). PMID: 28562428
    • Ayyagari VN, Hsieh TJ, Diaz-Sylvester PL, Brard L*. Evaluation of the Cytotoxicity of the Bithionol - Cisplatin Combination in a Panel of Human Ovarian Cancer Cell Lines. BMC Cancer. 17(1):49-64 (2017). PMID: 28086831
    • Ayyagari VN, Johnston NA, Brard L*. Assessment of the anti-tumor potential of Bithionol in vivo using a xenograft model of ovarian cancer. Anticancer Drugs. 27(6):547-559 (2016). PMID: 27058706.
    • Brodsky AS, Fischer A, Miller DH, Vang S, MacLaughlan S, Wu H-T, Yu J, Steinhoff M, Collins C, Smith PJS, Raphael BJ, Brard L. Expression Profiling of Primary and Metastatic Ovarian Tumors Reveals Differences Indicative of Aggressive Disease. PLoS One. 9(4):e94476 (2014). PMID: 24732363.
    • Ayyagari V, Brard L*. Bithionol Inhibits Ovarian Cancer Cell Growth In Vitro - Studies on Mechanism(s) of Action. BMC Cancer. 14(1):61-77 (2014). PMID: 24495391.
    • Kawar N, Maclaughlan S, Horan TC, Uzun A, Lange TS, Kim KK, Hopson R, Singh AP, Sidhu PS, Glass KL, Shaw S, Padbury JF, Vorsa N, Arnold LA, Moore RG, Brard L, Singh RK. PT19c, Another Non-hypercalcemic Vitamin D2 Derivative, Demonstrates Antitumor Efficacy in Epithelial Ovarian and Endometrial Cancer Models. Genes Cancer. 4(11-12):524-534 (2013). PMID: 24386512.
    • Vang S, Wu HT, Fischer A, Miller DH, Maclaughlan S, Douglass E, Steinhoff M, Collins C, Smith PJ, Brard L, Brodsky AS. Identification of Ovarian Cancer Metastatic miRNAs. PLoS One. 8(3):e58226 (2013). PMID: 23554878.
    • Horowitz NS, Olawaiye AB, Borger DR, Growdon WB, Krasner CN, Matulonis UA, Liu JF, Lee J, Brard L, Dizon DS. Phase II trial of erlotinib in women with squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva. Gynecol Oncol. 127(1):141-146 (2012). PMID: 22750258.
    • Kristjansdottir K, Kim K, Choi JS, Horan TC, Brard L, Moore RG, Singh RK. 7-Methyl Indole Ethyl Isothiocyanate causes ROS mediated apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in endometrial cancer cells. Gynecol Oncol. 126(2):252-258 (2012). PMID: 22561404.
    • Moore RG, Lange TS, Robinson K, Kim KK, Uzun A, Horan TC, Kawar N, Yano N, Chu SR, Mao Q, Brard L, Depaepe ME, Padbury JF, Arnold LA, Brodsky A, Shen TL, Singh RK. Efficacy of a Non-Hypercalcemic Vitamin-D2 Derived Anti-Cancer Agent (MT19c) and Inhibition of Fatty Acid Synthesis in an Ovarian Cancer Xenograft Model. PLoS One. 7(4):e34443 (2012). PMID: 22509304.
    • Kim KK, Lange TS, Singh RK, Brard L, Moore RG. Tetrathiomolybdate sensitizes ovarian cancer cells to anticancer drugs doxorubicin, fenretinide, 5-fluorouracil and mitomycin C. BMC Cancer. 12(1):147 (2012). PMID: 22502731.
    • Yoshioka S, King ML, Ran S, Okuda H, MacLean II JA, McAsey ME, Sugino N, Brard L, Watabe K, Hayashi K. WNT7A regulates tumor growth and progression in ovarian cancer through the WNT/β-catenin pathway. Mol Cancer Res. 10(3):469-482 (2012). PMID: 22232518. This paper was one of the most highly-cited (top five) Molecular Cancer Research articles published in 2012.
    • Kim KK, Singh AP, Singh RK, DeMartino A, Brard L, Vorsa N, Lange TS, Moore RG. Anti-angiogenic activity of cranberry proanthocyanidins and cytotoxic properties in ovarian cancer cells. Int J Oncol. 40(1):227-235 (2012). PMID: 21922132.
    • Singh AP, Lange TS, Kim KK, Brard L, Horan T, Moore RG, Vorsa N, Singh RK. Purified cranberry proanthocyanidins (PAC-1A) cause proapoptotic signaling, ROS generation, Cyclophosphamide retention and cytotoxicity in high-risk neuroblastoma cells. Int J Oncol. 40(1):99-108, (2012). PMID: 21994123.
    • Lange TS, Horan T, Kim KK, Singh AP, Brard L, Moore RG, Singh RK. Cytotoxic properties of Adamantyl-isothiocyanate and potential in vivo metabolite Adamantyl-N-acetylcystein in gynecological cancer cells. Chem Biol Drug Des. 79(1):92-103 (2012). PMID: 21974809.
    • Brard L, Lange TS, Robinson K, Kim KK, Ara T, McCallum MM, Arnold LA, Moore RG, Singh RK. Evaluation of the first Ergocalciferol-derived, non hypercalcemic anti-cancer agent MT19c in ovarian cancer SKOV-3 cells. Gynecol Oncol. 123(2):370-8 (2011). PMID: 21803404.
    • Fischer A, Kristjansdottir K, Miller DH, MacLaughlan S, Lapuk A, Collins C, Steinhoff M, Brard L, Brodsky AS. Integrated genomics reveals metastatic drivers of ovarian cancer. Clinical & Experimental Metastasis. 28(2):210-211 (2011).
    • Stuckey AR, Fischer A, Miller DH, Hillenmeyer S, Kim KK, Ritz A, Singh RK, Raphael BJ, Brard L, Brodsky AS. Integrated Genomics of Ovarian Xenograft Tumor Progression and Chemotherapy Response. BMC Cancer. 11:308, (2011). PMID: 21781307.
    • Miller DH, Fischer A, Chu K, Burr R, Hillenmeyer S, Brard L, Brodsky AS. T090137 Inhibits Cisplatin Induced Apoptosis in Ovarian Cancer Cells. Int J Gynecol Cancer. 21(8):1350-1356, (2011). PMID: 21921802.
    • Kim KK, Kawar NM, Singh RK, Lange TS, Brard L, Moore RG. Tetrathiomolybdate Induces Doxorubicin Sensitivity in Resistant Endometrial Tumor Cell Lines. Gynecol Oncol. 122(1):183-189 (2011). PMID: 21529906.
    • Singh R, Dorf L, DeMartino A, Illenye S, Koto K, Ashikaga T, Kim KK, Brard L, Saulnier Sholler GL. Oral RKS262 Reduces Tumor Burden in a Neuroblastoma (NB) Xenograft Animal Model and Mediates Cytotoxicity through SAPK/JNK and ROS Activation in Vitro. Cancer Biol Ther. 11(12):1036-1045 (2011). PMID: 21532338.
    • Kim KK, Singh RK, Strongin RM, Moore RG, Brard L, Lange TS. Organometallic Iron(III)-Salophene Exerts Cytotoxic Properties in Neuroblastoma Cells via MAPK Activation and ROS Generation. PLoS ONE 6(4):e19049 (2011). PMID: 21559503.
    • Koto KS, Lescault P, Brard L, Kim KK, Singh RK, Bond J, Illenye S, Slavik MA, Ashikaga T, Saulnier Sholler GL. Antitumor and Genomic Activity of Nifurtimox is Enhanced with Tetrathiomolybdate in Medulloblastoma in vitro. Int J Oncol. 38(5):1329-1341 (2011). PMID: 21399873.
    • Saulnier Sholler G, Bergendahl G, Brard L, Singh AP, Heath B, Bingham P, AshikagaT, Kamen B, Homans A, Ferguson W. A Phase I Study of Nifurtimox in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Neuroblastoma. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 33(1):25-30 (2011). PMID: 21063221.
    • Singh R, Lange TS, Kim KK, Brard L*. A coumarin derivative (RKS262) inhibits cell-cycle progression, causes pro-apoptotic signaling and cytotoxicity in ovarian cancer cells. Invest New Drugs. 29(1):63-72 (2011). PMID: 19865799.
    • Lange TS, Zou Y, Singh R, Kim K, Kristjansdottir K, Saulnier-Sholler GL, Brard L*. Chemotherapeutic Effect of Calcidiol Derivative B3CD in a Neuroblastoma Xenograft Model. Chem Biol Drug Des. 76(2):164-73 (2010). PMID: 20492445.
    • Kim KK, Lange TS, Singh R, Brard L*. Lipophilic aroylhydrazone chelator HNTMB and its multiple effects in ovarian cancer cells. BMC Cancer.
    • Lange TS, Stuckey AR, Robison K, Kim KK, Singh RK, Raker CA, Brard L*. Effect of a Vitamin D3 derivative (B3CD) with postulated anti-cancer activity in an ovarian cancer animal model. Invest New Drugs. 28(5): 543-53 (2010). PMID: 19582372.
    • McCourt C, Dessie S, Bradley AM, Schwartz J, Brard L, Dizon DS. Is there a taxane-free interval that predicts response to taxanes as a later-line treatment of recurrent ovarian or primary peritoneal cancer? Int J Gynecol Cancer. 19(3): 343-347 (2009). PMID: 19407557.
    • Saulnier Sholler GL, Brard L, Straub JA, Dorf L, Illyene S, Kalkunte S, Bosenberg M, Ashikaga N, Nishi R. Nifurtimox Induces Apoptosis of Neuroblastoma Cells in Vitro and in Vivo. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 31(3):187-193 (2009). PMID: 19262245.
    • Singh AP, Singh RK, Kim KK, Kalkunte SS, Nussbaum R, Kim KK, Torres M, Brard L*, Vorsa N. Cranberry Proanthocyanidins are Cytotoxic to Human Cancer Cells and Sensitize Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer Cells to Paraplatin. Phytother Res. 23(8):1066-1074 (2009). PMID: 19172579.
    • Lange TS, McCourt C, Singh RK, Kim KK, Singh AP, Luisi BS, Alpturk O, Strongin R, Brard L*. Apoptotic and chemotherapeutic properties of Iron(III)-salophene in an ovarian cancer animal model. Drug Design, Development and Therapy. 3:17-26 (2009). PMID: 19920918.
    • Brard L*, Singh RK, Kim KK, Lange TS, Saulier Sholler GL. Induction of cytotoxicity, apoptosis and cell cycle arrest by 1-t-Butyl Carbamoyl, 7-Methyl-Indole-3-Ethyl Isothiocyanate (NB7M) in nervous system cancer cells. Drug Design, Development and Therapy. 2:61-69 (2009). PMID: 19920894.
    • Singh RK, Lange TS, Kim KK, Singh AP, Vorsa N, Brard L*. Isothiocyanate NB7M causes selective cytotoxicity, pro-apoptotic signaling and cell cycle regression in ovarian cancer cells. Br J Cancer. 99(11):1823-1831 (2008). PMID: 19002174.
    • Lange TS, Kim KK, Singh RK, Strongin RM, McCourt CK, Brard L*. Iron(III)-salophene: An organometallic compound with selective cytotoxic and anti-proliferative properties in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer cells. PLoS ONE. 3(5):e2303 (2008). PMID: 18509533.
    • Singh RK, Lange TS, Kim K, Shaw S, Brard L*. A Novel Indole Ethyl Isothiocyanate (7Me-IEITC) with Anti-proliferative and Pro-apoptotic Effects on Platinum-resistant Human Ovarian Cancer Cells. Gynecol Oncol. 109(2):240-249 (2008). PMID: 18329084.
    • Moore RG, Robison K, Brown AK, Disilvestro P, Steinhoff M, Noto R, Brard L, Granai CO. Isolated sentinel lymph node dissection with conservative management in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva: A prospective trial. Gynecol Oncol. 109(1):65-70 (2008). PMID: 18255128.
    • Singh RK, Lange TS, Kim K, Singh AP, Hopson R, Vorsa N, Brard L*. Synthesis of Bicyclic Aryl Thiazolines with Selective Anti-Proliferative Effects on Human Cancer Cell Lines. Letters in Organic Chemistry. 5(2):103-109 (2008).
    • Dizon DS, Restivo A, Lomme M, Charbonneau N, Brard L, Hughes T, Weitzen S, Legare R, Granai CO, DiSilvestro P. For women receiving chemotherapy for clinically apparent early ovarian cancer, is there a benefit to surgical staging? Am J Clin Oncol. 31(1):39-42 (2008). PMID: 18376226.
    • Dizon DS, McCourt CK, Martin-Hanley T, Brard L, Bradley AM, Bandera C. Adjuvant therapy for endometrial cancer: “sandwich therapy” of carboplatin and paclitaxel with radiation therapy. The Women & Infants Hospital experience and review of the literature. Cancer Therapy. 5: 395-400 (2007).
    • Lange TS, Singh RK, Kim K, Zou Y, Kalkunte S, Sholler GL, Swamy N, Brard L*. Anti-proliferative and Pro-apoptotic Properties of 3-Bromoacetoxy Calcidiol (B3CD) in High-Risk Neuroblastoma. Chem Biol Drug Des. 70(4):302-310 (2007). PMID: 17937776.
    • Singh RK, Lange TS, Kim K, Zou Y, Lieb C, Sholler GL, Brard L*. Effect of Indole Ethyl Isothiocyanates on Proliferation, Apoptosis and MAPK Signaling in Neuroblastoma Cell Lines. Bioorg Med Chem Lett.17(21):5846-5852 (2007). PMID: 17855093.
    • Schwartz JR, Bandera C, Bradley A, Brard L, Legare R, Granai CO, Dizon DS. Does the platinum-free interval predict the incidence or severity of hypersensitivity reactions to carboplatin? The experience from Women and Infants Hospital. Gynecol Oncol. 105(1):81-83 (2007). PMID: 17157366.
    • Robison K, Steinhoff MM, Granai CO, Brard L, Gajewski W, Moore RG. Inguinal sentinel node dissection versus standard inguinal node dissection in patients with vulvar cancer: A comparison of the size of metastasis detected in inguinal lymph nodes. Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey. 61(8):518-519 (2006).
    • Satyan KS, Swamy N, Dizon DS, Singh R, Granai CO, Brard L*. Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) inhibits growth of ovarian cancer cells by inducing apoptosis: role of caspase and MAPK activation. Gynecol Oncol. PMID: 16624391.
    • Brard L*, Weitzen S, Strubel-Lagan SL, Swamy N, Gordinier ME, Moore RG, Granai CO. The effect of total parenteral nutrition on the survival of terminally ill ovarian cancer patients. Gynecol Oncol. 103:176-180 (2006). PMID: 16564074.
    • Kalkunte S, Swamy N, Dizon DS, Granai CO, Brard L*. Benzyl Isothiocyanate (BITC) Induces Apoptosis in Ovarian Carcinoma. Journal of Experimental Therapeutics and Oncology, 5(4):287-300 (2006). PMID: 17024969.
    • Robison K, Steinhoff MM, Granai CO, Brard L, Gajewski W, Moore RG. Inguinal sentinel node dissection versus standard inguinal node dissection in patients with vulvar cancer: A comparison of the size of metastasis detected in inguinal lymph nodes. Gynecol Oncol. 101:24-27 (2006). PMID: 16246399.
    • Brard L*, Granai CO, Swamy N. Iron Chelators Deferoxamine and Diethylenetriamine Pentaacetic Acid Induce Apoptosis in Ovarian Carcinoma. Gynecol Oncol. 100:116-127 (2006). PMID: 16203029.
    • Kalkunte S, Brard L*, Granai CO, Swamy N. Inhibition of Angiogenesis by Vitamin D-binding Protein: Characterization of Antiendothelial Activity of DBP-maf. Angiogenesis. 8:349-360 (2005). PMID: 16400520.

    Grants

    Ongoing EXTERNAL Research Support

    1. P20CA192987 Brard (PI) 09/08/2015 - 08/31/2018
    NIH/NCI $1,306,000 (TC; $652,994 SIUSM)
    1/2 Addressing Rural Cancer Health Disparities: An SCC-SIUSM Partnership
    The overall goal is to establish a highly integrated research and training collaboration focused on rural cancer health disparities between Southern Illinois University School of Medicine (SIUSM), an institution that serves the population of Downstate Illinois, a largely rural and socioeconomically disadvantaged region with significant cancer health disparities, and the Siteman Cancer Center at Washington University in St. Louis (SCC-WUSTL), an NCI-designated Cancer Center. The Partnership will build SIUSM’s research capacity and success conducting NIH-funded cancer disparity research, while also enhancing SCC’s rural cancer awareness, research and reach. By doing so, the Partnership will contribute to reducing the cancer health disparities that persist in rural populations.
    Role: PI (SIUSM)

    2. ORNLLDRD8831 Brard (Co-PI subcontract) 10/1/2017 - 9/30/2019
    DOE $830,000 (TC; $120,000 SIUSM)
    A Quantitative, Systems Biology, Multi-omic Approach to Diagnose and Predict Response to Treatment for Gynecologic Cancers
    The overall goal of this project is to leverage microbial ecological analysis to identify microbial signatures that can 1) detect a malignancy earlier in gynecologic cancer pathology, 2) provide preoperative staging of disease, and 3) indicate response to chemotherapy intervention
    Role: Co-PI (SIUSM)

    Ongoing INTERNAL Research Support

    1. Team Science Grant (TSG) Brard L./Braundmeier-Fleming A. (Co-PIs) 07/01/2017 - 06/30/2019
    SIU School of Medicine $100,000 (TC)
    Machine Learning Approach for Early Detection and Individualized Treatment of Ovarian Cancer
    The project goals are to establish if there is a microbial signature associated with ovarian cancer (OC) and if this signature could be utilized for OC screening to optimize treatment strategies and aide in the determination of treatment success (prognosis).
    Role: Co-PI

    2. Team Science Grant (TSG) Brard L./Hales B. (Co-PIs) 07/01/2014 - 06/30/2016
    SIU School of Medicine $100,000 (TC) NCE 07/01/2016 – 12/31/2017
    Flaxseed as Maintenance Therapy for Ovarian Cancer Patients in Remission
    The project goals are to determine the feasibility of administering a daily 20g dose of ground flaxseed to ovarian cancer patients in clinical remission and describe the PFS in ovarian cancer patients in clinical remission following adjuvant chemotherapy and flaxseed supplementation.
    Role: Co-PI

    Past EXTERNAL Research Support

    1. R03CA181907 Brard (PI) 12/01/2013 - 11/30/2015
    NIH/NCI $147,500 (TC) NCE 12/01/2015 - 11/30/2016
    Diagnostic Utility of Culdocentesis in Patients with a Suspicious Adnexal Mass
    The project goal is to determine if tumor markers (CA125 and HE4) from cul-de-sac washings and subsequent
    cytology correlate with ovarian cancer diagnosis in patients with an adnexal mass suspicious for malignancy.
    Role: PI
    2. L30 CA170963 Brard (PI) 07/01/2012 - 06/30/2014
    NIH/NCI $70,000 (TC)
    Treatment and Biomarker Discoveries for Ovarian Cancer
    Role: PI
    3. R01CA136491 Brard L (PI) 06/01/2009 - 06/30/2010
    NCI/NIH $2,100,000 (TC) was 06/01/2009 - 04/30/2014
    Development of an Assay for the Early Detection of Ovarian Cancer.
    Ovarian cancer is one of the most lethal cancers affecting women. This is due to the inability to detect it while still localized to the ovaries. Early detection would result in a 90% survival rate. LPA, a currently controversial biomarker for ovarian cancer diagnosis, is the subject of this application. A simple new method for detecting LPA and a fresh approach to validating LPA’s reliability as an accurate biomarker would emanate from the proposed studies.
    Role: PI
    4. R01EB002044 Strongin R (PI) 07/31/2007 - 06/30/2010
    NIBIB $720,000 (TDC)
    Synthesis and Study of Novel Sensing Agents.
    The major goals of this project were to contribute to (i) clarifying the current understanding of the role of homocysteine in disease and (ii) facilitate the study homocysteine in natural media.
    Role: Collaborator
    5. P41RR001395 - Supplemental Smith P (PI) 10/01/2009 - 06/30/2010
    NIH/NCRR
    BioCurrents Research Center - Mechanisms of Cisplatin Resistance in Ovarian Cancer
    The major goals of this project were to understand the genetic and phenotypic differences between primary and metastatic ovarian cancer growths that may affect therapeutic response. We expected to genotype each tumor and match the genetic differences to drug response phenotypes including probing cisplatin sensitivity relative to the regulation of drug efflux systems.
    Role: Significant Contributor
    6. R21NS051408 Brard L (PI) 12/01/2007 - 11/30/2009
    NIH/NINDS $335,190 (TC)
    High-Risk Neuroblastoma: A Devastating Childhood Cancer.
    The major goals of this project were to develop new therapeutic agents for neuroblastoma.
    Role: PI
    7. K12HD043447 Coustan DR (PI) 01/01/2006 - 07/31/2008
    BIRCWH $100,000 (TDC)
    3-Bromoacetoxy-Calcidiol as a Novel agent in Ovarian Cancer Therapy.
    BIRCWH (Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health) Scholars is a NIH funded institutional K12 mechanism that protects 75% of the time for young MD and/or PhD researchers so as to help launch their careers toward independent funding. The major goal of this BIRCWH project was to test 3-bromoacetoxy-calcidiol in ovarian cancer cell lines and an animal model.
    Role: Scholar
    8. Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, Inc. Brard L (PI) 01/01/2006 - 12/31/2007
    Individual Investigator Grant (Awarded) $100,000 (TC)
    Liposomal Iron Chelator Derivatives in Ovarian Cancer Therapy.
    The major goals of this project were the synthesis, development and testing of novel liposomal iron chelators and derivatives in ovarian cancer cell lines.
    Role: PI
    9. APGO/Organon Med Ed Research Award Brard L (PI) 07/01/2003 - 06/30/2004
    APGO/Organon $15,000 (TC)
    End of Life and Complementing Care: Development and Integration of a Longitudinal Resident Teaching Curriculum into a Gynecologic Oncology Rotation.
    The major goal of this project was to develop a resident curriculum to expand knowledge in the field of palliative care pertaining to gynecologic oncology patients.
    Role: PI

    Past INTERNAL Research Support

    1. Patient-Oriented Research Grant (PORG) Brard L./Hales B. (Co-PIs) 01/01/2014-03/30/2015
    SIU School of Medicine $25,000 (TC)
    Assessment of Estrogen Metabolite Ratios as a Predictive Biomarker for Ovarian Cancer
    The project goal was to determine if the ratio of the estrogen metabolites, 2-OHE1/16α-OHE1, in urine correlates with a diagnosis of epithelial ovarian cancer.
    Role: Co-PI
    2. Team Science Grant (TSG) Campbell K. (PI) 07/01/2013-06/30/2015
    Simmons Cancer Institute/SIU School of Medicine $100,000 (TC)
    Objective Electrophysiological Analysis of "Chemobrain" through the Auditory System
    The project goal was to determine if a non-invasive, time-efficient auditory electrophysiological method can detect chemobrain.
    Role: Collaborator
    3. EAM-Award Hayashi K (PI) 04/01/2012-03/30/2013
    SIU-School of Medicine $50,000 (TC)
    Does Niclosamide inhibit ovarian tumor growth and progression regulated by WNT7A in a pre‐clinical model?
    The major goal of this project was to determine the potential of Niclosamide to inhibit ovarian cancer in vitro and in vivo. This data will then be used to apply for NIH funding.
    Role: Co-Investigator
    4. EAM-Near Miss Award Brard L (PI) 04/01/2011-09/30/2012
    SIU-School of Medicine $12,500 (TC)
    A Phase I Trial of Bithionol for Recurrent Epithelial Ovarian Cancer.
    The major goal of this project was to perform a pilot efficacy trial of Bithionol in an animal model of ovarian cancer. This data will then be used to apply for NIH or FDA funding for a human Phase 1 trial.
    Role: PI
    5. National Center of Excellence in Women’s Health Brodsky A (PI) 11/01/2008-04/01/2010
    Innovations in Women’s Health Research Seed Grant $20,000 (TC)
    (Brown University / Women & Infants Hospital)
    Exploring cisplatin sensitivity of primary and metastatic ovarian tumors
    The aim of this seed grant was to understand the genetic differences between primary and metastatic ovarian cancer growths that may affect therapeutic response using comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) and mRNA expression profiling.
    Role: Co-PI
    6. Seed Grant Brown University Brodsky A (PI) 03/01/2007-02/28/2008
    Office of the Vice President for Research $90,000 (TC)
    Developing an Integrated Genomic Approach to Explore the Antitumor Activity of Vitamin D and Derivatives to Treat Ovarian Cancer.
    The aim of this seed grant was to take a global genomic view to understand the effect of vitamin D (calcitriol) and the vitamin D derivative, MT19C, on ovarian tumors.
    Role: Co-PI
    7. Seed Grant Brown University Brard L (PI) 02/01/2005-06/30/2007
    Office of the VP for Research $75,000 (TC)
    Development and Optimization of Novel Chemotherapeutic Agents for Cancer.
    The major goals of this project were the synthesis, development and testing of novel chemotherapeutic agents based on the vitamin D lead compound developed in the laboratory.
    Role: PI
    8. Seed Grant Brard L (PI) 05/01/2003 - 04/31/2006
    Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology $10,000 (TC)
    Evaluation of Iron Chelators in Tandem with Vitamin D Analogs in the Treatment of Ovarian Cancer in an Animal Model.
    The major goal of this project was to test a combination of two novel classes of chemotherapeutic agents in an ovarian cancer animal model.
    Role: PI
    9. Division Grant Brard L (PI) 07/01/2002 - 06/30/2003
    Program in Women’s Oncology (WIHRI) $15,000 (TC)
    The Use of Iron Chelators in the Treatment of Gynecologic Malignancies.
    The major goals of this project were to develop iron chelators as novel chemotherapeutic agents in gynecologic malignancies.
    Role: PI

    Patents

    1. Marks TJ, Yamamoto Y, Brard L, Giardello M. Method for Catalytic Polymerization of Substituted Acrylates. US Patent 5,312,881 (granted May 17, 1994).
    2. Brard L, Kalkunte S, Singh R. Heterocycles and Derivatives Thereof and Methods of Manufacture and Therapeutic Use. PCT/US 2006/047320. Published June 21, 2007.
    3. Brard L, Kalkunte S, Singh R, Strongin R, Alpturk O. Organometallic Compounds as Therapeutic Agents. WO/2008/070557, PCT/US2007/086080. Published June 12, 2008.
    4. Brard L, Singh RK, Kim K, Sholler G. N-Amino Tetrahydrothiazine Derivatives, Method of Manufacture and Use. WO/2008/091946, PCT/US2008/051794. Published July 31, 2008.
    5. Sholler G, Sundaresha HM, Kalkunte S, Singh RK, Brard L, Kim K. Nitrofuran Compounds for The Treatment of Cancer and Angiogenesis. PCT/US 2007/001527. Published September 27, 2008. Licensed to Metronom-X Inc. Underwent a phase-IIb clinical trial for treatment of high risk pediatric neuroblastoma and medulloblastoma.
    6. Singh AP, Kalkunte S, Singh RK, Vorsa N, Brard L, Schaich KM, Kim K. Compositions of “FAO-Free” Cranberry extracts, their complexes and Biological applications. (2006 March): US Patent applied.

    Awards

    2008 - Fellow of The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

    2007-2008 - Excellence in Resident Teaching Award (Women and Infants' Hospital Offices Held

    Clinical trials

    Trial
    Obstetrics and Gynecology

    Endometriosis and the Microbiome

    Active recruiting

    PURPOSE: Endometriosis is an inflammatory disorder in which the tissue that lines the inside of the uterus (the endometrium) spreads to the pelvic and peritoneal cavities outside of the uterus. This is a biological sample collection study examining how bacteria located within the vagina, the urogenital tract and the gastrointestinal tract may affect the development of endometriosis. Investigators are also exploring how an individual’s microbiome affects their estrogen metabolism and inflammation.

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